Useful information
Stara Zagora — a city with a thousand-year history!
In the summer months of 1877, fierce battles took place near Stara Zagora. The volunteers fought for freedom under the Samara Flag, embroidered especially for them by nuns in a Russian monastery.
Koprivshtitsa, where the history of free Bulgaria began
The town of Koprivshtitsa (spelled «Копривщица» in Bulgarian) lies roughly halfway between Sofia and Plovdiv. It became known above all as a centre of the Bulgarians' struggle for independence from the Ottoman yoke. In April 1876 the famous uprising took place here.
The History of Bulgaria. The Liberation of Bulgaria. Lesson Eight.
In the mid-19th century the liberation movement spread throughout Bulgaria. But the forces were unequal, and those who tried to fight the lawful Ottoman authorities were doomed. Thus, in 1873 one of the main heroes of the popular resistance, Vasil Levski, was hanged in Sofia.
The Tombul Mosque
During the period of Ottoman rule, a great many mosques were built in Bulgaria — in Sofia alone there were more than fifty. However, after the liberation of Bulgaria the Ottomans found life very uncomfortable in a country where they were hated, and everyone who could returned to Turkey.
Rila Monastery: a shrine, a centre of learning and a refuge for revolutionaries
Rila Monastery, located in the Kyustendil region, is one of Bulgaria's most famous landmarks. The country's largest monastery is a true symbol of Bulgaria. It is open to visitors, and on the ground floor there is a museum where you can learn about the monastery's rich history.
The History of Bulgaria. Ottoman Rule. Lesson Seven.
In 1396 the last Bulgarian fortress fell. The country came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The period of the yoke lasted almost five centuries.
The "Virgin Fortress" in Vidin
Today's Vidin is a small provincial town in the north-western part of Bulgaria, unknown to most tourists. Nevertheless, the town's history goes back many…
Kaliakra Fortress and the legends surrounding it
The first mentions of Cape Kaliakra (then called Tirizis) date back to the 4th century BC. Its favourable geographical position and steep shores made the cape an ideal place to build an impregnable fortress.
The History of Bulgaria. The End of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Lesson Six.
With the death of Ivan Asen II in 1241, the golden age of the Second Bulgarian Empire came to an end. The tsar's children were too young to take the throne. Conspiracies began to be woven at court.