Episode BG33. Medieval Pliska – Bulgaria’s First Capital
Hello, Bulgaria! 🇧🇬
Pliska is located in North-Eastern Bulgaria, about 25 minutes drive from the town of Shumen. The archaeological reserve is located near the modern village of Pliska and covers the remains of the first capital of Bulgaria after 681. Nearby there are other significant sites such as the Cyrillic Court and the Great Basilica.
💡 Other interesting places nearby:
BG31. Monument “Founders of the Bulgarian State”
BG32. The Madara Horseman – Europe’s Only Cliff Relief
BG36. The Legend of the Great and Small Veil near Nevsha
👉 References to other episodes:
None
📌 What will we look at in this article?
📝 Episode Summary
🔥 The most interesting moments
⭐ Location assessment
✅ Final conclusion
📝 Brief summary of the episode
The remains of Pliska include the citadel with the Khan’s palace, the throne palace, water reservoirs, baths with underfloor heating and a pagan temple. Not far away is the Great Basilica, the largest Christian church in the Balkans associated with the conversion of the Bulgarians. The museum at the reserve holds valuable artifacts – weapons, pottery, runes and the grave of Karel Škorpil, the town’s discoverer. The whole complex tells the story of a nation built on the solid foundation of spirit and stone.
🔥 What will you see in this episode?
In this episode we peek into the first Bulgarian capital – a territory of symbols, stone and silence. From the eastern gate, we enter wide alleys where the walls go on for miles. We follow the route of a water supply system, pass through the inner fortress and stop at the Han palaces. In the museum we view reenactments, images and original objects from the time of Khan Krum and Prince Boris. And if you’ve made it to the Great Basilica – you’ll see a temple worthy of a capital where faith was born.
In the episode we see the remains of the first Bulgarian capital – massive walls, Khan’s palaces, a bath with underfloor heating and a stone citadel. We visit the museum where the grave of Karel Skorpil, the man who discovered Pliska, is located. We see weapons of war, pottery, decorative elements and traces of Cyrillic script. Our path passes through vast plains, reaching also the Great Basilica, which was once the centre of the newly adopted Christianity. The atmosphere is majestic and the route long but saturated with meaning.
⭐ Location assessment
The assessment is entirely based on my personal impression and is made according to several main criteria considered separately. I use a 5-point scale where (1/5 – Very bad, 2/5 – Bad, 3/5 – Average, 4/5 – Good, 5/5 – Excellent)
| Criterion | Personal impression | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility 🚗 |
There is an asphalt road to the entrance with a separate parking lot at the foot. The driveway to the site is maintained and accessible to all. | ★★★★★ |
| History 📜 |
The place is unique in that here is the only rock bas-relief in Europe – created in the VIII century. Thracian, Proto-Bulgarian and Byzantine traces are interwoven. | ★★★★★ |
| Condition 🛠️ |
The bas-relief is considerably dilapidated with lost details and traces of old research that have further compromised its integrity. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Conveniences 🚻 |
There is an ecotoilet and restaurants at the entrance, but the facilities are unimpressive. | ★★★★☆ |
| Price 💰 |
The ticket for adults is BGN 5, which is quite reasonable for a cultural site of this scale and importance. | ★★★★★ |
★★★★☆
✅ Conclusion
Pliska is not just an archaeological reserve – it is a beginning. The beginning of Bulgarian writing, of Christianity in Bulgaria, of urban planning with strategic thought. It’s easy to get to, there are well-maintained paths and parking, and the route offers a long and intense walk. The place feels large not just physically but historically – as if the stone blocks still hold the voice of time. If you’re looking for where it all begins, this is where you should start.
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