Bulgaria Inside

The contemporary town of Veliki Preslav acts as administrative center of Preslav municipality. It is located in northeastern Bulgaria, 20 km away from the town of Shoumen and 25 km away from Tugovishte.

Veliki Preslav is situated in the folds of Preslavska Mountain, near Goliama Kamchia River. The town is relatively small, yet it keeps memories of glorious historic events.

According to evidence, Veliki Preslav appeared as a Thracian settlement. Remains from Thracian times have been found in the region. When Bulgarians settled in the area, Veliki Preslav’s population was mainly Slavic. In the middle of the 9th century, the town was fortified and turned into a strategic center.

Once Bulgarians accepted Christianity, Preslav saw the construction of many churches. It gained even more importance after Preslav was named the new Bulgarian capital. This development took place in 893. To put an end to pagan beliefs, tsar Simeon decided to move the capital from Pliska to Preslav, which started the so called Golden Century of Bulgarian development.

In the next 80 years, the town experienced upsurge similar to the one of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. The town got its sewerage system, a new fortress wall and many churches.

Once the rule of Simeon ended, Preslav continued growing. During the reign of Tsar Boris II Bulgaria lost some of its might. In 971, Veliki Preslav was set on fire and sacked by Byzantine warriors. Simeon’s library suffered major destruction.

In the coming three centuries, Veliki Preslav continued declining. Gradually, the town was depopulated. Few residents decided to resettle in the region close to the town. The new settlement appeared two km away from the old capital and is known today as Veliki Preslav.

Today, the town is small and charming. Ancient remains have been preserved in its vicinities. All of them were included in the national historic and archaeological museum Veliki Preslav.

The museum has a rich collection of treasure artifacts. The well-known Preslav golden treasure, the St. Theodor icon and a collection of metal seals are part of this exhibition. The preserve guards the remains of the Preslav castle, churches, monasteries, a bath and a basilica.

Guides will advise you to spare at least several hours to take a walk among the ruins. To explore the entire preserve, you will need at least one day.

Apart from the well-preserved remains, the Veliki Preslav region houses some interesting landmarks.

The rock monasteries above the villages of Osmar and Troitsa are located 15 km away from Preslav. There, you can see the premises that monks inhabited from the 7th to the 14th centuries. All of them were carved in the rocks.

Shoumen, a town situated close to Veliki Preslav, has an interesting history museum, an ancient fortress and monuments from the Bulgarian revival and Ottoman reign periods. The only museum of the horse in Bulgaria is also situated there.

Madara Plateau is situated 33 km away from Preslav. The region has curious rock formations. Unknown old Bulgarian masters carved the image of a horseman in the rock. The Madara Horseman is a symbol of the glory of the Bulgarian army.

The first Bulgarian capital, Pliska, is located 40 km east of Preslav. Its archaeological preserve houses some of the most outstanding examples of old Bulgarian architecture