Pliska: the cradle of Bulgarian statehood

the Pliska Historical and Archaeological Reserve was granted the status of a national archaeological monument.

The first capital

The site for the capital was not chosen by chance. The plain, surrounded by mountains, lay at the crossroads of important routes. In addition, conditions here were favourable for the cattle breeding practised by the proto-Bulgarians. The first buildings here were wooden – round and

quadrangular.

The palace complex was securely protected by a stone fortress wall, and in the fields around it ordinary people built their houses. In the late 8th – early 9th centuries the wooden buildings gave way to stone ones. Some of them survived the fires set by the Byzantines during their attack on Pliska in 811. During the reign of Khan Omurtag, popularly nicknamed the Builder, the rebuilding of the palace in Pliska was completed. By medieval standards the city was enormous – more than 23 sq. km.

After the Bulgarians adopted Christianity in 864, the appearance of the capital changed. Pagan temples were converted into Christian ones, and new churches were built, including the Golyamata Bazilika, the remains of which have survived to our day.

In 893 the Bulgarian capital was moved to Preslav, and Pliska gradually fell into decline.

Pliska today

The Eastern Gate, once the main gate of the fortress, is today the main entrance to the reserve. About a kilometre and a half from it stands the Golyamata Bazilika, at that time the largest Christian church in South-Eastern Europe. Visitors can see the remains of Omurtag’s palace, as well as of the Small Palace (the citadel), the ruins, and the remains of baths, the water supply system and the reservoir. Many of the structures are well preserved, considering their venerable age, so the walk promises to be interesting.

In the north-eastern part of the fortress there is a museum housing the historical finds discovered in this area. Next to the museum building there is a rest area where visitors can have coffee or other drinks.

From 01.04 to 31.10 the reserve is open to visitors from 8.30 to 19.00, seven days a week. In winter the museum is open until 17.00.

Admission costs 4 leva for adults and 1 lev for schoolchildren, students and people with disabilities.

A guided tour costs 5 leva in Bulgarian and twice as much in German or English.

• The right to take photographs on the grounds costs 1 lev, and video filming can be done for 2 leva.

The Madara Rider

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