The Second Bulgarian Empire is a medieval Bulgarian state that exists between 1185 and 1396.

A successor of the First Bulgarian Empire, it reaches the peak of its power under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II.Up until 1256, the Second Bulgarian Empire is the dominant power in the Balkans.

The Byzantines are defeated in several major battles, and in 1205 the newly established Latin Empire is crushed in the battle of Adrianople by Emperor Kaloyan.

His nephew, Ivan Asen II (1218–1241), defeats the Despotate of Epiros and makes Bulgaria a regional power once again.

However, in the late 13th century the Empire declines under the constant invasions of Tatars, Byzantines, Hungarians, Serbs, and internal instability and revolts.

After the empire is divided into several independent small states (Kingdom of Tarnovo, Tsardom of Vidin, Despotate of Dobruja) in the late 14th century, they sre conquered by the Ottoman Empire.Despite the strong Byzantine influence, the Bulgarian artists and architects manage to create their own distinct style.

Literature and art flourish in the 14th century and a large part of the Bulgarian population is literate.