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Sultan Mehmet IV's Challenging Ascension
Sultan Mehmet IV came to power in tumultuous times, ascending the throne at the tender age of seven with the support of his youthful mother, Turhan Sultan.
Governance and Financial Stability
The governance of a sovereign is intricately linked with the stability of the treasury, which in turn relies on the taxation of the populace. Sultan Mehmet IV, upon assuming power, faced the daunting task of managing an empty treasury while upholding the tradition of disbursing allowances to the soldiers, known as ‘ulufe’s.
The Role of Cinci Hodja and Financial Mismanagement
During Sultan Mehmet IV’s reign, the eccentric actions of Cinci Hodja, an exorcist, aggravated the financial crisis. Instead of providing quality coins for the treasury, Cinci Hodja opted for inferior ones, infuriating the young Sultan. However, his execution and subsequent confiscation of his assets alleviated some of the financial strain Istanbul Walking Tour.
Governance Challenges and Historical Reflections
Historical records, such as those penned by Mehmet Halife, shed light on the governance challenges faced by Sultan Mehmet IV. Mehmet Halife’s writings reveal the stark contrast between the financial management of Sultan Ibrahim’s era and the subsequent reign. The influence of Queen Mother Kosem Sultan during Sultan Mehmet IV’s reign shifted power dynamics, leading to the dominance of the Aghas, military commanders, and Grand Viziers.
Economic Control and Political Influence
Under Queen Mother Kosem Sultan’s influence, the rule was consolidated in the hands of the Aghas, disrupting efforts by figures like Kara Mustafa Pasha to stabilize the treasury. The Aghas monopolized trade in Istanbul and seized key positions of power, including Grand Viziership and leadership roles within the Janissaries, cementing their control over the empire’s affairs.
In summary, Sultan Mehmet IV’s reign was characterized by financial instability, exacerbated by eccentric advisors and power struggles within the royal court. The dominance of Queen Mother Kosem Sultan and the Aghas reshaped political and economic dynamics, posing significant challenges to governance during Sultan Mehmet IV’s rule.
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The Bulgarian Way of Life
The Bulgarians, much like the Russian peasantry, uphold traditional patriarchal values.
Family Bonds
In Bulgarian households, multiple generations often reside under one roof, with fathers, married sons, and their descendants cohabiting until the grandfather passes away. With each new marriage, an additional room is constructed onto the family home, accommodating the growing family unit. This communal living arrangement fosters a sense of unity, with all members paying homage and deference to the family patriarch.
Population Estimations
Estimating the population of Bulgarian villages requires a nuanced approach. While the number of houses may suggest a certain figure, it’s essential to consider the average household size. According to Edip Effendi’s report, the village in question purportedly had only 1,400 inhabitants—a claim deemed highly dubious by Mr. Schuyler. Through examination of tax records, Schuyler discovered 1,421 able-bodied men subject to military exemption tax. In most European countries, this figure would signify a population of approximately 15,000. However, due to unique circumstances in Bulgaria, the actual population likely ranges between 8,000 to 10,000 individuals Tour Packages Balkan.
Misconceptions and Realities
Dispelling Myths
There exists a prevalent misconception regarding the Bulgarians’ level of civilization. Often dismissed as primitive savages akin to American Indians, this stereotype fails to capture the true essence of Bulgarian society.
Education and Enlightenment
Contrary to popular belief, Bulgarian villages boast thriving educational institutions. Despite challenges posed by Turkish authorities, these schools, supported by voluntary taxation, provide free education to children of all backgrounds. Nearly every Bulgarian child receives instruction in reading and writing, with literacy rates comparable to those of England and France.
Challenging Perceptions
It is imperative to challenge outdated perceptions of Bulgarian society. The widespread dissemination of false narratives undermines the rich cultural heritage and progressive strides made by the Bulgarian people. By acknowledging their educational achievements and societal advancements, we can dispel the myth of Bulgarian “savagery” and recognize the nation’s rightful place among civilized societies.
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Contributions from Key Figures
Karel Shkorpil’s Educational Endeavors (1891-1894)
During his tenure as a teacher at the High School for Boys in Turnovo from 1891 to 1894, Karel Shkorpil made significant strides in unraveling the history of Turnovo. He meticulously crafted plans and penned detailed descriptions, culminating in a comprehensive report titled “The Monuments in Turnovo and a Project for Excavations of the Old Bulgarian Capital,” which he presented to Tsar Ferdinand in 1893. Accompanying this report were 37 volumes containing plans, photographs, drawings, and sketches. In 1910, Shkorpil’s work was published as a seminal study titled “A Plan of the Old Bulgarian Capital Turnovo.”
George Sior’s French Expedition (1900)
In 1900, French archaeologist George Sior embarked on a significant expedition commissioned by Tsar Ferdinand. His excavations on Trapezitca yielded the discovery of an impressive 14 churches. Notably, his exploration of Tsarevets, particularly Chan Tepe (The Bell Hill), led to the uncovering of The Church of the Patriarch.
Ministry of Education’s Artistic Commission (1903-1904)
In 1903-1904, the Ministry of Education commissioned renowned reproduction artist V. Dimov from the National Museum to replicate the frescoes found in the newly discovered churches in Trapezitca Private Tours Istanbul. Dimov not only produced faithful reproductions but also meticulously drafted plans of the churches. His extensive study was published in 1915, shedding further light on Turnovo’s architectural and artistic heritage.
Revival of Archaeological Society (1905)
In 1905, the archaeological society resumed its activities. Under the guidance of M. Moskov, significant efforts were made, including the clearance of sections of the palace building in Tsarevets, excavation of the Well east of “The Church of the Patriarch,” and investigation of the tower-well on the left bank of the Yantra river, near the so-called Balduinova Kula (tower). Subsequent excavations conducted by Moskov in 1906 focused on two noteworthy Turnovo churches: “Sveti Dimitur” and “Sveti Chetiredesete Muchenici” (Saint of Forty Martyrs), with findings published in 1912.
The First Archaeological Conference (1910)
On June 6-8, 1910, the Turnovo archaeological society organized the First Archaeological Conference of the Society in Bulgaria. Despite the significant damage caused by an earthquake on June 1, 1913, which affected many of Turnovo’s monuments, archaeological excavations persisted.
Restoration and Exploration Initiatives (1930s-1959)
In the 1930s, the first restoration efforts of the old capital began under the initiative of the Ministry of Public Works and the Turnovo Council. In 1946, exploration of “The King Palace” (Tzarskia Dvorets) commenced. Notably, from 1958 to 1959, the study of the fortress walls established the cultural stratification layers for the first time, providing invaluable insights into Turnovo’s historical evolution.
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Contributions from Key Figures
Karel Shkorpil’s Educational Endeavors (1891-1894)
During his tenure as a teacher at the High School for Boys in Turnovo from 1891 to 1894, Karel Shkorpil made significant strides in unraveling the history of Turnovo. He meticulously crafted plans and penned detailed descriptions, culminating in a comprehensive report titled “The Monuments in Turnovo and a Project for Excavations of the Old Bulgarian Capital,” which he presented to Tsar Ferdinand in 1893. Accompanying this report were 37 volumes containing plans, photographs, drawings, and sketches. In 1910, Shkorpil’s work was published as a seminal study titled “A Plan of the Old Bulgarian Capital Turnovo.”
George Sior’s French Expedition (1900)
In 1900, French archaeologist George Sior embarked on a significant expedition commissioned by Tsar Ferdinand. His excavations on Trapezitca yielded the discovery of an impressive 14 churches. Notably, his exploration of Tsarevets, particularly Chan Tepe (The Bell Hill), led to the uncovering of The Church of the Patriarch.
Ministry of Education’s Artistic Commission (1903-1904)
In 1903-1904, the Ministry of Education commissioned renowned reproduction artist V. Dimov from the National Museum to replicate the frescoes found in the newly discovered churches in Trapezitca Private Tours Istanbul. Dimov not only produced faithful reproductions but also meticulously drafted plans of the churches. His extensive study was published in 1915, shedding further light on Turnovo’s architectural and artistic heritage.
Revival of Archaeological Society (1905)
In 1905, the archaeological society resumed its activities. Under the guidance of M. Moskov, significant efforts were made, including the clearance of sections of the palace building in Tsarevets, excavation of the Well east of “The Church of the Patriarch,” and investigation of the tower-well on the left bank of the Yantra river, near the so-called Balduinova Kula (tower). Subsequent excavations conducted by Moskov in 1906 focused on two noteworthy Turnovo churches: “Sveti Dimitur” and “Sveti Chetiredesete Muchenici” (Saint of Forty Martyrs), with findings published in 1912.
The First Archaeological Conference (1910)
On June 6-8, 1910, the Turnovo archaeological society organized the First Archaeological Conference of the Society in Bulgaria. Despite the significant damage caused by an earthquake on June 1, 1913, which affected many of Turnovo’s monuments, archaeological excavations persisted.
Restoration and Exploration Initiatives (1930s-1959)
In the 1930s, the first restoration efforts of the old capital began under the initiative of the Ministry of Public Works and the Turnovo Council. In 1946, exploration of “The King Palace” (Tzarskia Dvorets) commenced. Notably, from 1958 to 1959, the study of the fortress walls established the cultural stratification layers for the first time, providing invaluable insights into Turnovo’s historical evolution.
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Bulgaria Geographical Overview
Location and Borders
Bulgaria is situated to the east of the Black Sea and to the south of the Danube River, acting as a natural border with Romania to the north. Its western border connects with Yugoslavia, and in the south, the geographical features of Greece and Turkey separate Bulgaria from the Aegean Sea. This region, known as the Balkan Peninsula, serves as a crucial link connecting southeastern Europe to Asia Minor.
Geography and Size
Geographically, present-day Bulgaria resembles a rectangular shape with somewhat wavy and irregular borders. Its location is approximately similar to the latitude of New York state in the western hemisphere, and its size is comparable to that of the state of Tennessee.
Major Cities and Ports
The capital city, Sofia, is centrally located near the Yugoslav border. Plovdiv, the second-largest city, is situated on the Thracian Plain between the Balkan and Rhodope Mountains. Varna, the primary seaport, is on the Black Sea, along with Burgas to the south City Tour Istanbul. Other significant cities include Tirnovo, Gabrovo, and Pleven in the north on the Danubian Plain, while Russe serves as a major river port on the Danube, west of the disputed region of Dobrudja.
Land Features
The Balkan Mountain Chain, also known as Stara Planina, acts as a dividing line between northern and southern Bulgaria. Above the Balkans lies the Danubian plain, with several rivers draining north into the Danube basin. Mt. Musala, the highest peak in the Balkan Peninsula, stands at 8,683 feet, located below the Balkans. The Pita Mountains give rise to three major rivers within Bulgaria’s borders: the Iskar, Maritsa, and Mesta, with Maritsa being the largest. Additionally, the Struma is another significant inland river in the southwest.
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Bulgaria Geographical Overview
Location and Borders
Bulgaria is situated to the east of the Black Sea and to the south of the Danube River, acting as a natural border with Romania to the north. Its western border connects with Yugoslavia, and in the south, the geographical features of Greece and Turkey separate Bulgaria from the Aegean Sea. This region, known as the Balkan Peninsula, serves as a crucial link connecting southeastern Europe to Asia Minor.
Geography and Size
Geographically, present-day Bulgaria resembles a rectangular shape with somewhat wavy and irregular borders. Its location is approximately similar to the latitude of New York state in the western hemisphere, and its size is comparable to that of the state of Tennessee.
Major Cities and Ports
The capital city, Sofia, is centrally located near the Yugoslav border. Plovdiv, the second-largest city, is situated on the Thracian Plain between the Balkan and Rhodope Mountains. Varna, the primary seaport, is on the Black Sea, along with Burgas to the south City Tour Istanbul. Other significant cities include Tirnovo, Gabrovo, and Pleven in the north on the Danubian Plain, while Russe serves as a major river port on the Danube, west of the disputed region of Dobrudja.
Land Features
The Balkan Mountain Chain, also known as Stara Planina, acts as a dividing line between northern and southern Bulgaria. Above the Balkans lies the Danubian plain, with several rivers draining north into the Danube basin. Mt. Musala, the highest peak in the Balkan Peninsula, stands at 8,683 feet, located below the Balkans. The Pita Mountains give rise to three major rivers within Bulgaria’s borders: the Iskar, Maritsa, and Mesta, with Maritsa being the largest. Additionally, the Struma is another significant inland river in the southwest.
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The Road to Independence
Bulgaria’s Struggle for Autonomy
Founding Visions
The founders of an organization embraced the idea of political autonomy for Macedonia and the Odrin region of Thrace within the Ottoman Empire. Their initial goal was annexation to the Principality of Bulgaria in the near future. The organization’s military units played a role in punishing Turkish rulers and safeguarding Bulgarians from Serbian and Greek forces.
1903 Insurrection in Thrace
In 1903, an insurrection erupted in Thrace, met with harsh repression. The aftermath witnessed the burning of hundreds of villages and the loss of thousands of lives. Despite the desperate Bulgarian quest for liberty, Europe turned a blind eye, making the Macedonian Question a persistent diplomatic challenge. Over time, Bulgarians realized that achieving national unity required a confrontation with Turkey.
Democratic Party’s Push for Unification
In 1908, Democratic Party leader Alexander Malinov assumed a government role, fostering Bulgarian aspirations in Macedonia, Eastern Thrace, and Aegean Thrace for unification with the fatherland. However, breaking free from the Sultan’s dependence, dictated by the Treaty of Berlin, became a prerequisite. The favorable climate in 1908, marked by the Young Turk revolution, set the stage for change in the Ottoman Empire and the Balkans Private Turkey Tours.
Bulgaria’s Declaration of Independence
Following an unofficial agreement between Sofia and Vienna, a historic event unfolded on September 22, 1908, in the medieval Bulgarian capital city, Turnovo. Bulgaria was solemnly declared an independent state. Prince Ferdinand assumed the coveted title “King of the Bulgarians” in this significant moment.
Triumph Amid Struggles
Bulgaria’s journey toward autonomy and independence marked a challenging period. From clashes with Turkish rule to diplomatic challenges, the path was arduous. The declaration of independence in 1908 represented a triumph, signaling a new chapter in Bulgaria’s history.**
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Avrat Alan Chronicles
The Grim Dance of Submission
The Harsh Awakening From Songful Streets to the Perils of Insurrection
The quaint village of Avrat-Alan, nestled in the heart of the Balkans, found itself entangled in the web of a misguided insurrection. The idealistic aspirations of its young men, initially encapsulated in the romantic act of marching through the streets singing Bulgarian airs, soon collided with the stark realities of rebellion. Avrat-Alan was about to become a tragic theatre for the unfolding consequences of failed insurrection.
Flight to the Mountains A Desperate Bid for Survival
As Hafiz Pacha, a formidable force in the region, marched upon Otluk-kui and effortlessly took control without losing a single man, the repercussions reverberated across the neighboring Avrat-Alan. Realizing the impending peril, the young insurgents hastily fled to the sanctuary of the mountains, leaving the village vulnerable to the approaching juggernaut of Hafiz Pacha and the menacing Bashi-Bazouks.
Submission or Suffering The Village at the Crossroads
Cornered by the impending threat, the inhabitants of Avrat-Alan, who had wisely refrained from participating in the ill-fated uprising, faced a critical decision. Fearing the wrath of the advancing forces, they chose to send emissaries, two priests, to negotiate their submission. Unfortunately, the mission took a tragic turn when one priest dispatched to the Bashi-Bazouks met a swift demise Balkan Tours.
Hafiz Pacha, having sated his thirst for blood at Otluk-kui, displayed a more pragmatic disposition. He agreed to engage in negotiations with the remaining villagers. A peculiar stipulation emerged: all the men were ordered to assemble outside the town at Hafiz Pacha’s camp to discuss the terms of submission. Little did they know, this compliance would result in their own two-day detainment in the camp, a prelude to the distressing events that would unfold.
The Grim Toll of Complianc Pillage and Violation
While Avrat-Alan was spared the horrors of town-wide conflagration and the massacre of women and children, the inhabitants could not escape the ruthless pillaging that befell their homes. The prudent orders of Hafiz Pacha seemingly restrained the forces from committing the same excesses witnessed at Otluk-kui. However, the village could not escape the pervasive violation, with nearly every woman and girl falling victim to the insatiable brutality unleashed by the Bashi-Bazouks. The consequences of submission proved to be a harrowing ordeal for the beleaguered village of Avrat-Alan.
As Avrat-Alan grappled with the aftermath of these tumultuous events, the village stood as a testament to the complexities and cruelties that marked the Balkans during this turbulent period. The consequences of insurrection were severe, leaving a lasting imprint on the lives of its inhabitants.
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Nights of Terror and the Unraveling Insurgency
Perustitza’s Ordeal
Perustitza, a tranquil village transformed into a battleground, witnessed the unfolding of a nightmare that gripped its inhabitants, especially its women, in a vice of terror and despair. The Armenian girl, a witness to the horrors that transpired within the confines of the village church, paints a vivid and disturbing picture of the nights that will forever haunt the memories of those who endured them.
As the Bashi-Bazouks descended upon the village, wreaking havoc and sowing fear, many women found themselves subjected to unspeakable outrages. However, the Armenian girl notes that the majority of victims were those who had either surrendered early on or attempted to flee into the fields at the first sign of the approaching menace. The distinction between those who submitted willingly and those who resisted played a crucial role in the tragedy that befell Perustitza.
The Armenian girl’s account of the nights spent in the village church is a chilling testament to the relentless onslaught of fear and uncertainty. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning homes, a stark reminder of the devastation wrought by the Bashi-Bazouks. The continuous state of alarm, the ever-present threat of a nocturnal attack, the anguished cries of children, and the mourning of women whose homes now lay in ruins created an atmosphere of private tours bulgaria unrelenting dread.
Amidst the chaos, the crackling flames provided intermittent illumination, casting eerie shadows that danced upon the faces of the beleaguered villagers. The air, heavy with smoke, obscured the night sky, creating an otherworldly scene of terror. In the passionate and expressive language of the Armenian girl, the narrative takes on a thrilling and haunting quality, conveying the emotional intensity of those dark hours.
The conditions within the church were dire. The sheer number of terrified inhabitants made lying down impossible, forcing them to endure the long nights standing or sitting. Sleep, a rare commodity, eluded most, particularly the adults who were gripped by a potent mix of excitement and terror. Only the children, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, succumbed to slumber amid the chaos.
Achmet-Aga
The harrowing nights persisted until Thursday afternoon when a sudden change occurred. Achmet-Aga, the commander of the Bashi-Bazouks, sent word to Philippopolis, claiming that the village had risen in revolt and that he was launching an attack in response. According to his narrative, the villagers were insurgents who had refused to submit quietly, and as such, they needed to be dealt with accordingly.
The twist in the narrative reveals a stark reality – this was not a rebellion of the Christians but a revolt within the ranks of the Bashi-Bazouks themselves. In any other country, such an event might be recognized as an internal conflict among the assailants. However, within the complex political landscape of Turkey, the distinction between the aggressors and the victims was blurred, and the villagers of Perustitza found themselves labeled as insurgents.
Perustitza’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the tragedies that unfold when political narratives overshadow human suffering. In the crucible of conflict, the nights of terror in the village church become a symbol of endurance and resilience, marking a chapter in history that calls for remembrance and reflection.
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Demetrius Poliorcetes and Lysiinachus
After repelling Philip, Byzantium had to submit, some years later, to Alexander. It passed through the hands of his successors, Demetrius Poliorcetes and Lysiinachus ; but on the death of the latter, regained its independence for another hundred years, until the power of Rome invaded the region of Thrace and the Hellespont. In return for the assistance it rendered to the Romans in their wars with Macedon and Antiochus, the senate conferred on Byzantium the status of a ‘ free and confederate city and it was not till the time of the Emperor Vespasian that it lost its privileges and became an ordinary provincial town (73 A.D.).
In the struggle between Septimius Severus and Pescennius Niger for the Roman Empire, Byzantium espoused the cause of the latter; but was taken by Severus, after a three years siege, in 197 A.D., and reduced to ashes. A few years later, however, he rebuilt the city and embellished it with porticoes, magnificent public baths, and part of the Hippodrome or racecourse.
During the civil wars which followed the abdication of Diocletian, the city fortifications were restored, and afforded refuge to Licinius after his defeat by Constantine at Adrianople in 323 A.D. Constantine advanced on Byzantium, and, by means of constructing ramparts and towers as high as those of the city, finally succeeded in taking it.
The acquaintance with the advantages
The acquaintance with the advantages of its position gained in this campaign no doubt decided Constantine in fixing on Byzantium as the site of his new capital daily tours istanbul. It had probably been for some time clear to him that the Empire, once more united under a firm rule, required in its new circumstances a new political centre. The advisability of transferring the seat of government from Borne to a point farther east had been felt long before. The frequent wars against Persia, the repeated revolts of Asiatic nations, the incursions of tke Scythians, troubles at Borne, that old hot-bed of civil war, had already caused Diocletian to fix his residence at Nicomedia (now Ismid); and, indeed, Julius Csesar is said to have thought of transferring the capital to Alexandria Troas (Eski-Istambol), which, from its more central situation, would enable him the easier to keep the conquered nations in subjection. Constantine, however, was also actuated by other than strategic and political motives. The abandonment of Eome marked the establishment of Christianity as the State religion. The new capital was dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and the fact that the ceremony of its inauguration was performed solely by Christian ecclesiastics, and that no pagan temples were allowed to be erected in the new city, emphatically proclaimed the downfall of Paganism.
The new city was begun in 328 A.D. The Emperor himself marked out its boundaries, which included five of the seven hills enumerated on page 1. Setting out on foot, followed by a numerous retinue, and pretending that he was following the directions of a divine guide invisible to all save himself, with his spear he drew on the ground a line that crossed the triangular promontory at a distance of about two miles from the old fortifications. Along this line the new walls were erected, and on the 11th of May 330 A.D. the inaugural festivities were commenced, and lasted forty days.
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THE FORTIFICATION COMPLEX
THE FORTIFICATION COMPLEX on Nebet Tepe
The top of Nebet Tepe bears vestiges of the first prehistoric settlement, which in the 12th century B.C. grew into a town. It has been established that this is the Thracian city Eumpol- piade and one of the first urban settlements in Southeastern Europe.
The basic features characteristic of the towns of the time are available – strong fortress walls, surrounding a sanctuary and a ruler’s palace. Of special interest is the oldest part of the fortress, a drywall built of large syenite blocks in the so-called ’Cyclops’ style. Later in history, when Thracian Eumol- piade expanded over the three hills and down to their foot (in Hellenistic age), the old settlement and the Nebet Tepe fortress turned into a citadel of the city’s acropolis. The walls stretched out to encompass the highest parts of all three hills. Dated to that time are the remains of the western fortress wall with a built in tower of impressive size and an entrance from the inner side. During the reign of Justinian the Great (6th c.) the northern wall was repaired and a secret exit (poterne) added holidays bulgaria. It was an arched passage with steps carved in the rock, which led to the foot of the hill and to the right bank of the Maritsa River.
The exit is adjacent to the Thracian northern entrance into the fortress, which also provided access to the riverbank. The fortification on Nebet Tepe underwent reconstruction in mediaeval times, too. Easily identifiable are the sections rebuilt during the Second Bulgarian State (13th – 14th c.). At that time there were also added large water reservoirs to be used in times of siege. One of these, rectangular in shape, is of striking size, was covered by a domed roof and had a capacity of 3000 litres. It had a gallery at one end, which led the water to a fountain. Most imposing are the fortress walls dating from the 12th – 14th centuries; they climb down the eastern side of the hill and measure 10m in height.
ANTIQUE AND REVIVAL PERIOD ENSEMBLE
on Vitosha Street
There is a well-preserved section of the antique fortress of Philippopolis along Vitosha Street.
You can see the acropolis wall built of large cut stone blocks during the time of Marcus Aurelius in the 70s of the 2nd c. as well as repairs from the 4th c. In early Byzantine times, probably during Justinian’s rule, this part of the fortress was strengthened by means of an outer, adhering wall of alternating bands of stone and brick. Researchers have also identified the foundations of two triangular towers. During the National Revival terraced houses were raised upon the solid foundations, all with an exit into Saborna Street.
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Thracian name of Cabile
In ancient times it was known by its Thracian name of Cabile, the mins of which were discovered some ten kilometres north of present-day Yambol. After capturing the town, Phillip II of Macedonia built a strong fortress where he imprisoned his disobedient vassals. In 72 B.C. Mark Luculus seized the town and it became an important junction on the Roman road from Anhialo to Salonika along the Toundja valley. The town was completely devastated during invasions by the barbarians.
The Byzantines built a new town in the 11th century- called Diampolis, though in 1357 it was called by the Slav name of Dubilin. In 1373, after a four-month siege, it was captured by the Ottomans. Hadji Kalfa describes 17th-century Yambol as a town with five mosques, two baths and many gardens. After liberation from the Turks the town developed as an agricultural centre. In 1890 a railway line to Bourgas was built which enabled the establishment of other industries. Nowadays the town is an important economic and cultural centre.
The town has a drama theatre, a music theatre private tour istanbul, a chamber orchestra, a district history museum, a hospital, technical colleges and other schools.
Hotels: loundja 2 stars, 12 storeys, on the bank of the Toundja, accommodating 250, tel. 244-33. A restaurant with some open-air seats, night club, coffee shop, hairdresser’s, information bureau and rent-a-car office.
Tourist attractions: Kourshourn Market — a covered market in the town centre. The 18th-century Eski Mosque is nearby.
District History Museum, 12 Byalo More St., with ethno-graphic collection.
Southwest on the bank of the Toundja, is St George’s Church, 1737. It has a carved walnut iconostasis made by Debur masters at the end of the 19th century.
Further east of Sliven through Karnobat and Aitos lie Bourgas Spas, 15 km before the port of Bourgas.
SOFIA – PAZARDJIK – PI 0VDIV — HASKOVO – HAR MANLI – SVILENGRAD (3 02 km)
Crossing the Thracian Lowlands from Sofia to Plovdiv leads along the ancient Roman road from Singi dunum (Belgrade) across Serdika (Sofia) and PhilippopoUs (Plovdiv) to Constantinople (Istanbul). Each new invasion along this road brought min in its train on which a new culture was built only . to Ml to ruin in its turn. Ten km from the town centre towards Pazardjik is the Goroublyane motel with the Gprou- blyansko Hanche national taverna, with dishes typical of the region around.Sofia. The motel can accommodate 56. There is an information bureau and an exchange bureau. The Varna camp site is 200 m from the motel, tel. 78-12-13.
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Rousski Square
Hotels: Vitosha New Otani (five star), 100. Anton Ivanov Street — tel. 62-41-51, with a night club — panoramic restaurant on the 19th floor, bowling alley Bulgarian restaurant and Japanese restaurant, Rodina 4, Rousski Square (four star), twenty-storeyed building with 1,053 beds, 42 single rooms, 487 double rooms and seven suites. Large and nine smaller ones, swimming pool, sauna, solarium, shops, underground garage for 220 cars, Novotel £vropay 1.31 Georgi Dimitrov Blvd. — tel. 3-12-61, (four star) sixteen-storey 586 double rooms, seven suites, restaurant, night club, shops (inch Corecom), covered parking, rent-a-car service. Grand Hotel Sofia, Narodno Sobranie Square, (three star) five-storeyed building — tel. 87-88-21. 25 single rooms, 145 double rooms, restaurant, bar, night club, tavern, Corecom shop, parking, exchange bureaux and rent-a-car service.
Park Hotel Moskva, 25 Nezabravka Street — tel. 7-12-61, eighteen-storey building with 34 single rooms, 327 double rooms, 28 suites, restaurant, bar and night club, panoramic restaurant and tavem;
Grand Hotel Balkan, 2 Lenin Square — tel. 87-65-43; Grand Hotel Bulgaria, 2 Rousski Blvd — tel. 87-19-77; Hemus,
31 Georgi Traikov Blvd. — tel. 66-14-15; Serdica, 2 Vladimir Zaimov Blvd. — tel. 44-34-11; Pliska. 87 Lenin Blvd. — tel. 72-37-21; Prostor, in Mount Vitosha — tel. 6548-81; Shtastli- vetsa, in Mount Vitosha — tel. 66-50-24; Kopito, in Mount Vitosha — tel. 57-12-56.
Tourist organizations
— Balkantourist, with the Bulgarian Tourist and Recreation Association, 1 Vitosha Blvd. — tel. 88-3141, telex — 22583, 22584. Balkantourist offers hotels, motels, camping sites, private lodgings, villas, restaurants, bars, night clubs, coffee houses and provides guides and interpreters.
Tourist Service — Balkantourist, 37 Dondukov Blvd., tel. 8844-30, telex — 22488; Shipka — travel agency, Central Council of the Union of Bulgarian Motorists, 6 St. Sophia Street — tel. 87-88-01; Orbita — Bureau for International Youth Tourism, 45a Alexander Stamboliiski Blvd. — tel. 87-95-52; Cooptourist — for domestic and foreign tourism with the Central Cooperative Council, 99 Rakovsk? Street — tel. 8441; Pirin — travel agency of the Central Council of the Bulgarian Hikers’ Union, 30 Alexander Stamboliiski Blvd. — tel. 87-06-87;
Balkan Airlines (international flights), Narodno Sobranie Square — telephones 8844-33 and 88-44-93 and 19 Legue Street — telephones 8849-89 and 87-54-51;
Motels:
Tihiyat Kut (two star) — on Mount Vitosha on the road leading to Zlatni Mostove 12 kilometres from the centre of Sofia — telephone 57-14-01; Boyana (three star) daily sofia tour, Boyana district—telephone 56-30-35; Goroublyane (three star), Goroublyane district — telephone 72-37-20, two-storey motel with 28 double rooms, restaurant, rent-a-car service and parking.
Camping sites:
Vrana — Goroublyane City District (three star), four bun-galows with one apartment each, telephone 78-12-13; Lebed — Pancharevo lake (one star). Telephone 77-3045;ChermyaKos —eleven kilometres south-west of central Sofia (two star). Te-lephone 57-11-29; Bankya — 17 kilometres west of central Sofia (one star).
Night Clubs: Vitosha New Otani; Grand Hotel Sofia; Park Hotel Moskva; Havana, Vitosha Blvd.
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Greek colonies and in Thrace
Of no less interest in the studyof the popoular art are the funereal steles with their great variety of reliefs. Here regional differences stand out clearly. In the lands of the ancient Greek colonies and in Thrace the influence of the gravestone sculpture of the Hellenistic provinces is very clearly felt, with its predominating scene of the funereal banquet.
To the south-wrest in the valleys of the Strouma and the Mesta there are traces of the tombstone sculpture of Macedonia with sculptured portraits and the figure of the Thracian Horseman, presenting the deceased as a hero. Finally in the lands to the north of the Balkan Range the Roman type of funereal steles are widespread, with their long inscriptions, and initially more modest ornamentation in relief, while portraits and other motifs were introduced later. Here too, in this large sphere of gravestone sculpture individual smaller regions appear, in which definite and constant types of funereal steles are found.
The presence of good soft limestone and crystal marbles in the mountainous regions contributed much to the development of sculpture. The remains of the big Roman quarries are visible to this day not far from the village of Reka Devnya, Varna district, and at the villages of Hotnitsa and Moussina, Turnovo district; they provided enough building material for the cities guided istanbul tours, as well as all that the stone-masons’ workshops and sculptors’ studios in Moesia could require. Thrace was supplied with good marble from the quarries in the Rhodope massif.
Roman period
In comparison with the architectural and sculpture monuments, remains of painting in the Roman period are quite scarce. It is true that the old traditions of decorating the walls of houses with stucco work and mosaics, and of ornamenting the tombs of eminent citizens with frescoes continued to exist.
At this time mosaics were particularly extensively used to ornament the floors of rich men’s houses, the baths and other public buildings. Mosaics with a variety of decorative motifs, among which there are entire compositions, have been found at many places of recent years. Mention has already been made of the mosaics found at Oescus and numerous other finds of the sort may be enumerated. Amongthe best preserved murals, which date back to the end of the 4th century, the period of Theodosius I, are the murals in a tomb near the town of Silistra. This tomb is not a very big one, 3.30 x 2.60 m., with a height of 2.30. at its zenith. However, on passing through its low entrance the visitor’s eyes are dazzled by the richness and variety of its interior decoration.
The perpendicular walls and the vaulted roof are so richly painted that not a single corner has been left untouched by the artist’s brush. The couple, who were buried here, have been painted exactly opposite the entrance. Four wen and maid-servants flank them on each side, offering them different objects, connected with their toilet. The vault is covered with a network of circles and octagons, filled with the figures of birds, plant motifs and hunting scene. The murals of the tombs found near the Church of St. Sophia in Sofia show great variety in the system of decoration. However, they are the work of another art, namely, the art of the Early Christians.
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ANCIENT
Bulgaria is one of the countries where ancient art – the art of the Greeks and Romans, has left many works and exercised a powerful impact on the local inhabitants; – the ancient Thracians. Important centres of ancient and more particularly of Hellenic culture were the settlements of the Greeks from Miletus on the Black Sea coast: Apollonia (today Sozopol), Mesembria (today Nessebur), etc. Let us mention but a few finds: a burial stele, found in Sozopol (Bourgas Museum), an archaic statue of a young man from Shapli Dere, a burial stele of Calicritus, a statue of Pan, a statue of Eros by Praxiteles, a head of Heracles, a head of Apollo, a bronze statuette of Athena, a bronze statuette of Apollo (all in Sofia Archaeological Museum); a bronze head from Vidin (Vidin Museum), head of Emperor Gordian (238-244) (Archaeological Museum, Sofia), a sarcophagus from the village of Archar (Archaeological Museum, Sofia), relief of the eastern deity Mythra (Archaeological Museum, Plovdiv), relief depicting circus shows (Archaeological Museum, Sofia).
Of great interest are the remains of ancient Roman fortresses and towns, scattered over almost all the country: Oescus on the Danube – an ancient town near Pleven, Nicopolis ad Istrum – ruins of an ancient Roman town near Veliko Turnovo, the Church of St George in Sofia, Trimontium in Plovdiv, Hissar — the ancient town of Augusta, where the fortress walls of the ancient town have remained to this day, the tomb in Silistra – with well preserved Roman mosaics, villas in the district of Sofia, near the town of Ivailovgrad, etc.
HISTORICAL RESERVATIONS
of the architecture of the Bulgarian National Revival period: Koprivshtitsa, Zheravna, Arbanassi, Kotel, Bozhentsi, Etura, the old parts of Plovdiv, Veliko Turnovo, Elena tour bulgaria, Karlovo, Tryavna, etc.
SOME TOURING ROUTES
SOFIA SAMOKOV BOROVETS (72 km)
After you have got acquainted with the capital of the country, this route will enable you to see one of the best-known mountain resorts in Bulgaria – Borovets. On your way to the resort you will pass through areas of great scenic beauty, past the Pancharevo and Passarel Lakes, past the Isker Dam and through the old town of Samokov, well-known in the past as an ore-mining centre but also featuring a Metropolitan Church and the Turkish Bairakli mosque. A side road from Samokov will bring you to the resort of Malyovitsa.
SOFIA RILA MONASTERY MELNIK (181 km)
The route makes it possible for you to see the Rila Monastery, the towns of Stanke Dimitrov, Sandanski, Blagoevgrad and the picturesque little town of Melnik with the famous earth pyramids near it. The road is asphalted.
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Millions of cubic metres of water
But Bulgaria’s water economy does not rely solely on nature’s efforts. Big dams have been built in the years of people’s rule. Filled with millions of cubic metres of water, they serve both as sources of electrical power and for irrigation and water supply, for fisheries, for the practice of aquatic sports, etc. On Bulgaria’s map artificial water basins have made their appearance, such as the Isker Dam, those of Stouden Kladenets, Batak, Alexander Stamboliiski, Georgi Dimitrov, Kalin, etc. – some 20 in number so far, with still more under construction.
Of course, Bulgaria is fortunate that her territory borders to the north on the Danube and to the east on the Black Sea. These are 470 and 378 km of water courses – the first one linking the country with the greater part of Europe, and the second – with all maritime states in the world.
But perhaps we have had enough of geography. Let us now give you a brief outline of Bulgaria’s history.
FROM THE THRACIAN HORSEMEN DOWN TO OUR CWN TIMES
Many tribes and people have travelled across the territory of Bulgaria through the ages and each of them has left behind something of its material culture. An exhibition of Bulgarian history a few years ago in Paris provoked great interest there and elsewhere.
We have reliable data that the Bulgarian lands were inhabited by man as early as the Musterian Age, i.e. some 100,000 years ago. Evidence of this are the stone implements found in the Bacho Kiro Cave near the Dryanovo Monastery; they are the earliest cultural remains in the Balkan Peninsula.
The first cultured tribes came to Bulgaria’s lands in the second millennium B.C. They were the Thracians who, at first scattered, in the 5th century B.C. set up a mighty state under the guidance of the Odryssae tribe. In the field of arts and crafts the Thracians borrowed from the culture of the Greeks (Greek colonies along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast were set up as early as the 7th century B.C.) daily ephesus tours, but this did not stop them creating an original and very rich Thracian culture of their own.
Roman influence in the Balkan Peninsula started to spread after the 2nd century B.C. The foundations of more than 20 Roman towns which have been excavated in present-day Bulgaria reveal advanced constructional skills. This is particularly true of those centres on the right-hand bank of the Danube, which best reveal the domination of Rome during the lst-6th centuries A.D.
The first Bulgarian state, however, was established by two ethnical groups: Slavs and Proto-Bulgarians. The Slav tribes, or the so-called eastern group, came here in the 5th and 6th centuries. One century later, seven of them united and, in the area between the Danube and the Balkan Range, laid the foundations of an alliance, while preserving at the same time their patriarchal and communal relations. It was these Slavs that the Proto- Bulgarians of Asparouh came upon on their way from Southern Bessarabia, and it was together with them that they laid the foundations of the First Bulgarian State. This act took place in the year 681, when a peace treaty with the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus recognized its existence.
First Bulgarian State
The First Bulgarian State (^681-1018) developed, briefly, as follows: at the time of Khan Kroum (803-814) the country was consolidated and expanded its boundaries; his successor Omourtag (814-831) concluded a 30-year peace treaty with Byzantium and devoted himself to construction. In 865, under Prince Boris I, Bulgarians and Slavs adopted the Christian religion – an act of tremendous significance for the further development of the state. Cyril and Methodius evolved the Bulgarian alphabet, which became the basis of all Slavonic letters. Under Simeon (893-927) – the son of Boris I – Bulgarian culture enjoyed its ‘golden age’. After that came a period of decline and Bulgaria fell under Byzantine rule (1018-1185). In the same period the well-known social movement of Bogomilism made its appearance and later passed on to Italy and to France.
The Second Bulgarian State comprises the period of 1185 to 1396. The Bulgarians liberated themselves from Byzantine rule in 1185 as a result of a people’s uprising, led by the brothers Assen and Peter. Under Kaloyan (1197-1207) and Ivan Assen II (1218-1241) Bulgaria was the strongest state in South-eastern Europe and her frontiers were washed by three seas — the Black Sea, the Aegean and the Adriatic. After that, cruel internecine struggles flared up and 14 kings reigned in rapid succession. This undermined the foundations of the state and facilitated the victory of the Ottoman Turks, who invaded the Peninsula at the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 14th century. In 1396 all Bulgaria fell under Turkish domination.
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The Museum Catalogue devotes
The Museum Catalogue devotes six volumes to the poet and his editors. All these thousands of works are entered under ‘ Shakspere’; though in about 95 per cent, of them the name is not so written. The editions of Dyce, Collier, Staunton, Halliwell-Phillipps, and Clark, which have Shakespeare on their title-pages, are lettered in the .binding Shakspere. Nay, the facsimile of the folio of 1623, where we not only read Shakespeare on the title-page, but laudatory verses addressed to ‘ Shake-speare ’ {sic’) is actually lettered in the binding (facsimile as it purports to be), Shakspere. We shall certainly end with ‘Shaxper.’
The claim of the palaeographists to re-name great men rests on a confusion of ideas. ‘ Shakespeare ’ is a word in the English language, just as ‘Tragedy’ is; and it is in vain to ask us, in the name of etymograpliy, to turn that name into Shakspere, as it would be to ask us, in the name of etymology, to turn ‘Tragedy ’ into Goat-song. The point is not, how did the poet spell his name — that is an antiquarian, not a literary matter, any more than how Homer or Moses spelled their names. Homer and Moses, as we know, could not possibly spell their names: since alpha-bets were not invented. And, as in a thousand cases, the exact orthography is not possible: the matter which concerns the public is the form of a name which has obtained currency in literature. When once any name has obtained that currency in a fixed and settled literature, it is more than pedantry to disturb it: it is an outrage on our language. And it is a serious hindrance to popular education to be ever unsettling familiar names.
If we are to re-edit Shakespeare’s name by strict revival of contemporary forms, we ought to alter the names of his plays as well. There is reason to think that Macbeth was Mcelbcethe. The twentieth century will go to see Shaxpers Mcelbathe performed on the stage. And so they will have to go through the cycle of the immortal plays. Hamlet was variously written Hamblet, Am leth, Hamnet, Hamle, and Hamlett; and every ‘ revival ’ of Hamlet will be given in a new name. Leirs daughters were properly Gonori/l, Ragan, and Cordila. If Shakspere’s own orthography is decisive, we must talk about the Midsummer Night’s Dreame, and Twelffe-Night, Henry Fift, and Clcopater, for so he wrote the titles himself. Under the exasperating revivalism of the palaeographic school all things are possible; and, in the next century private guide turkey, it will be the fashion to say that ‘the master-creations of Shaxper are undoubtedly Cordila, Hamblet, and Madbaethe.’ Goats and monkeys! can we bear this?
Revivalism rests upon
All this revivalism rests upon the delusion, that bits of ancient things can be crammed into the living organism of modern civilisation. Any rational historical culture must be subordinate to organic evolution; lumps of the past are not to be inserted into our ribs, or thrust down our throats like a horse drench. A brick or two from our father’s houses will not really testify how they built their homes; and exhuming the skeletons of their buried words may prove but a source of offence to the living. An actor who had undertaken the character of Othello once blacked himself all over the body, in order to enter more fully into the spirit of the part; but it is not recorded that he surpassed either Edmund Kean or Salvini. So we are told that there exists a company of enthusiastic Ann-ists, who meet in the dress of Addison and Pope, in boudoirs which Stella and Vanessa would recognise, and read copies of the old Spectator, reprinted in contemporary type.
In days when we are warned that the true feeling for high art is only to be acquired by the wearing of ruffles and velvet breeches, we shall soon be expected, when we go to a lecture on the early Britons, to stain our bodies all over with woad, in order to realise the sensations of our ancient ‘ forbears ’; and na one will pass in English history till he can sputter out all the guttural names in the Saxon Chronicle. Palaeography should keep to its place, in commentaries, glossaries, monographs, and the like. In English literature, the literary name of the greatest ruler of the West is Charlemagne; the literary name of the most perfect of kings is Alfred; and the literary name of the greatest of poets is Shakespeare. The entire world, and not England alone, has settled all this for centuries.
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