Interest in medieval Tarnovgrad dates back to the Ottoman period, when foreign travelers and missionaries described its natural beauty and fortified parts, especially the Tsarevets citadel. In the 19th century, attention to the city increased due to its status as the capital of a significant European state. Archaeological excavations began in the late 19th century and continue intermittently, uncovering numerous buildings, fortification walls, and artifacts that provide insight into the city's layout, architecture, and daily life.
Medieval Tarnovgrad was situated on two main hills – Tsarevets and Trapezitsa – separated by the Yantra River, as well as on adjacent areas including the "New Town" and the Frankish quarter (Frengkisar), inhabited by foreigners. The terrain is highly uneven and varied, necessitating specific approaches to fortification and construction. The high hills were preferred for habitation due to their strategic advantages, despite challenges in water supply.
The fortification system of Tsarevets is the best studied. The walls follow the rocky contours, forming an irregular triangle with many bends and buttresses. Constructed from roughly hewn stones bonded with white mortar, the walls incorporate wooden beams for reinforcement. The main entrance is a complex structure of three gates and rectangular towers, protected by a wooden drawbridge. Besides it, there are two other gates – the Small Gate and the Frankish Gate – each with defensive towers and fortifications.
The internal layout of Tsarevets includes the patriarchal complex, located on a relatively flat plateau at the hill's summit, and the royal palace on the northeastern slope. The patriarchal complex is enclosed by a strong wall and contains residential and religious buildings, having undergone several construction phases. The palace was also fortified and designed for independent defense, featuring a two-story throne hall and residential quarters built during the reigns of Ivan Asen II and Ivan Alexander.
Houses and economic buildings were densely arranged around churches and monasteries, forming neighborhoods with narrow, winding streets. On Trapezitsa hill, numerous small churches have been uncovered, likely family chapels of boyar families, decorated with frescoes depicting military saints and armored nobles. In the districts between the hills, monasteries and churches dominate, with the monasteries of "St. 40 Martyrs" and "St. Demetrius" being particularly notable.
The city's social composition was diverse: besides the tsar, patriarch, and boyars, Tarnovgrad was home to artisans, merchants, clergy, soldiers, and other social groups. Archaeological finds indicate various crafts such as masonry, blacksmithing, pottery, carpentry, and tailoring. Trade was well developed, evidenced by coins from different issues and traces of foreign merchants.
Ethnically, the city was colorful. The main population were Bulgarians from various social strata. There was a significant Jewish community with a separate quarter, as well as Armenians, Greeks, Vlachs, Tatars, and other minority groups. Some foreigners settled permanently, forming families and contributing to the city's cultural and social diversity.
Tarnovgrad was not only a political and military center but also a cultural and spiritual hub. It hosted renowned schools of construction, literature, art, and ceramics, whose traditions spread throughout the country and neighboring states. The city's architectural appearance, combined with its topography, created a unique silhouette that was impressive and functional for defense and daily life.