published on 21.12.2007, 15:55 Author: Vanina Paskaleva Article rating:
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Pliska is the first capital of Bulgaria since the state was founded in 681. Until king Simeon moved the capital to Preslav in 893, Pliska was the main cultural, economic and administrative center of the new kingdom.
Historians believe that Pliska was built over the ruins of an ancient Slavic settlement. The ruins of Pliska now reveal the history of the town. The total area of the city was 23 sq km. Since there were no natural defense from enemies (Pliska is situated in lowland that lacks hills and mountains), the city was fortified via three defense systems. The outer one was a deep moat with high embankment that surrounded the town. The second one consisted of walls, watch-tower and gates. The citadel was surrounded by another wall. The palace and the khan residence were in the citadel.
The ruins of the big palace have been preserved perfectly and happen to be one of the most interesting sites nowadays. The throne place was the official building used by the khan council and was also the site of meetings with foreign ambassadors. A throne was positioned in the place with dimensions of 52 m and 26.5 m. It was built by khan Omourtag (814 - 831) who managed to turn Pliska into a modern and big medieval city.
The Little Palace hosted the residence of the khan and his family. It was the most beautiful and outstanding building in Pliska measuring 568 sq m in area. The citadel also hosted the temples, baths, pools and the water house.
Pliska had numerous modern facilities like sewerage system and floor heating. Archaeologists discovered remains of glass windows.
The Great Basilica situated in the outer town was the biggest one on the Balkans. It was built by king Boris I. The dimensions of 30 x 100 m make it one of the biggest and magnificent monuments of the medieval Bulgarian architecture.
During the Ottoman reign over Bulgaria, Pliska’s name changed to Aboba. In 1295, the name was changed to Pliskov and in 1947 it was once again became the original Pliska.
Many of the artifacts discovered in the area can be seen in a museum complex.
Historians believe that Pliska was built over the ruins of an ancient Slavic settlement. The ruins of Pliska now reveal the history of the town. The total area of the city was 23 sq km. Since there were no natural defense from enemies (Pliska is situated in lowland that lacks hills and mountains), the city was fortified via three defense systems. The outer one was a deep moat with high embankment that surrounded the town. The second one consisted of walls, watch-tower and gates. The citadel was surrounded by another wall. The palace and the khan residence were in the citadel.
The ruins of the big palace have been preserved perfectly and happen to be one of the most interesting sites nowadays. The throne place was the official building used by the khan council and was also the site of meetings with foreign ambassadors. A throne was positioned in the place with dimensions of 52 m and 26.5 m. It was built by khan Omourtag (814 - 831) who managed to turn Pliska into a modern and big medieval city.
The Little Palace hosted the residence of the khan and his family. It was the most beautiful and outstanding building in Pliska measuring 568 sq m in area. The citadel also hosted the temples, baths, pools and the water house.
Pliska had numerous modern facilities like sewerage system and floor heating. Archaeologists discovered remains of glass windows.
The Great Basilica situated in the outer town was the biggest one on the Balkans. It was built by king Boris I. The dimensions of 30 x 100 m make it one of the biggest and magnificent monuments of the medieval Bulgarian architecture.
During the Ottoman reign over Bulgaria, Pliska’s name changed to Aboba. In 1295, the name was changed to Pliskov and in 1947 it was once again became the original Pliska.
Many of the artifacts discovered in the area can be seen in a museum complex.
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