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	<title>Discover Ancient Bulgaria &#187; Ottoman Bulgaria</title>
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	<description>Just a guide to Ancient Bulgaria Cultural and National Treasures.</description>
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		<title>Georgi Rakovski</title>
		<link>http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2008/03/13/georgi-rakovski/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2008/03/13/georgi-rakovski/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:55:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Stony Rumelian</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ottoman Bulgaria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[patriot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rakovski]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[revolutionary]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
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  (real name Subi Stoykov Popovich) is bulgarian revolutionary and patriot, truly writer of the Bulgarian national revival. He is born in Kotel at cheerful trade and craftsmanâ€™s family. Rakovski is learn at the local school, then continues at Karlovo where teaches Rayno Popovich. From the [...]]]></description>
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<p> <center><img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/georgi_sava_rakovski.jpg" alt="Georgi Stoykov Rakovski" /></center><strong> Georgi Stoykov Rakovski</strong>
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<p>  (real name Subi Stoykov Popovich) is bulgarian revolutionary and patriot, truly writer of the Bulgarian national revival. He is born in <strong>Kotel </strong>at cheerful trade and craftsmanâ€™s family. Rakovski is learn at the local school, then continues at Karlovo where teaches Rayno Popovich. From the end of 1837 he behave at the great school in Kurucheshme (Istanbul). He studies branch of scholarship and natural sciences, ancient and modern languages. He reacts at each or any attempt against patriots and Bulgarian revolutionaries. He set in touch with the figures of the church struggle Neofit Bozveli and <a href="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2008/03/13/ilarion-marakiopolski/" target="_blank">Ilarion Marariopolski</a>. During the 1841 he travel to Athens where he creates the secret Macedonian association in purpose of organizing revolt. Georgi Rakovski is traveling to Braila (under the alias Georgi Macedon), when he become aware of preparation between Bulgarian and Grecians for collaborated rise. The rebellion is spoiled by the Romanian authorities but Rakovski is staying at Braila for reason of continuing the organization of the patriotic forces. He is leaving on this period from all he is able to collect ast private teacher in Hellenic and French language. There is another attempt of the Romanian authorities to react but Rakovski is able to conceal himself. He contacts the Russian consul but he betray Rakovski to the Romanian government and at the 14th of July, 1848 Georgi rakovski is convicted to dead. Because he has been Grecian resident, the Grecian consulate is attempting to send Rakovski to Athens, but the Grecian ambassador at Istanbul sent secretly the Bulgarian revolutionary in France. Rakovski stays in Marseille for one and an half year. He is unable to study in Paris, as the Grecian consul promises to him and then he decides to go back at the hometown Kotel and enjoying of the national fight. To mislead the police he changes his name from Subi Popovich to Georgi Rakovski. Again, along the livery companies in town he is trying to fight with all of them against the bosses and they are defamed to the Turk authority. Each of them is receiving 7 years long judgment of rigorous, dungeon gaol. Later on Rakovski is being liberated. His sufferings from this period he types at his memories.<span id="more-304"></span><br />
Rakovski practice law and trade in <strong>Istanbul</strong>. He is involved into the Chirch struggle also. Due to this period are some of the first literature attempts of Rakovski. During the The <strong>Crimean War</strong> (1853-1856) he behave as translator at the Turk main lodging in Shumen. Rakovski creates Secret Society with aim to collect  and resend military information forward the Russian commanders. Because of treachery he is revealed, arrested and sent to Istanbul.</p>
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Being able to escape, Georgi Sava Rakovski organizes band of 12 members, which throw across the east side of Stara Planina mountain to set the spirit up of the Bulgarian citizens and involve them into the fight for freedom with the Russian armies. He keeps a diary. Because of his leaving from the Russian armies, Rakovski breaks up the band and four months he is in hide at his home in Kotel, where he contemplate the poem  â€œ Woodland Travellerâ€,he rough out the memories â€žÐŸÑ€ÐµÐ´Ð²ÐµÑÑ‚Ð½Ð¸Ðº Ð³Ð¾Ñ€ÑÐºÐ¾Ð³Ð¾ Ð¿ÑŠÑ‚Ð½Ð¸ÐºÐ°â€œ. He starts with printing of the beginning by the poem â€œWoodland Travellerâ€. Rakovski make a study of the Bulgarian historical past and he project creation of Bulgarian literary association. The Turkish government urges the Austrian authorities for arrest of Rakovski and they want him into judgment process  but once again because of his Greek citizenship he is able to escape and he is staying for couple of months at Galati  (Romania), after that he goes to Odessa and there Rakovski enter the ecclesiastical as educator. The Russian censorship is not allowing to him press releasing. He is able to release only one of his ready writings â€“ â€œForefingerâ€.</p>
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<p><img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/rakovski_granny_tonka.jpg" alt="Rakovski at meeting with granny Tonka (Vidin)." /><br /> <em style="display:none"><a href="http://webdev.entheosweb.com/?one_true_thing">One True Thing psp</a></em>  <em style="display:none"><a href="http://johnquiggin.com/?i_robot">I, Robot movie full</a></em> </p>
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<p>At 1860 he goes to Belgrade. There Rakovski release his academic studies, finish printing â€œthe Danubeâ€™s swanâ€ (It is printed for one year period- between 1860 and 1861). From the 16th release Rakovski starts also printings of the newspaper in French in order to introduce to the European public the Bulgarian fate and struggle. Here he creates the plan for liberty of Bulgaria and the status of one provisional Bulgarian command in Belgrade. Rakovski creates First Bulgarian Legion (1862). June 3rd 1862 explodes the unexpected impinge between Russians and Turks where the legion immediately is taking side. The expected war is prevented and Rakovski must break up the legion.<br />
He cannot stay downcast and he undertake new idea for creation of union between all Bolkan Christians against Turkey. During the 1863 he visits Athens, Cetinje and Bucharest as he is making contacts with statesmen and sociality active persons. He releases  newspaper named â€œÐ‘ÑŠÐ´ÑƒÑ‰Ð½Ð¾ÑÑ‚â€œ(1864) printed on Bulgarian and Romanian languages because of the idea of creance of union between Bulgarians and Romanians. He releases the newspaper â€œDefenderâ€ and helps the rebel bands to pass over in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian emigration and the created Secret committee are divided. Then Rakovski creates the provisional code for the populist woodland rebels for summer 1867â€. He continues his literal activities and he projects first booklet to the â€œBulgarska Starinaâ€ magazine and type detailed autobiography. He dies from tuberculosis in Bucharest.</p>
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		<title>Vasil Levski</title>
		<link>http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2008/03/12/vasil-levski/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2008/03/12/vasil-levski/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Stony Rumelian</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ottoman Bulgaria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Levski]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[national hero]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[patriot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[revolutionary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The deacon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vasil Levski]]></category>

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Continuing our column for eminent personalities, we wouldnâ€™t skip one of the very own patriots and emblematic guide of one idea, that gives large, deep echo into central Europe during the end of XVIII century. This person is main revolutionary at that clean and worthy meaning, where human liberty and freedom [...]]]></description>
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<p><img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/vasil_levski.jpg" alt="Vasil Levski" /></p>
<p>Continuing our column for eminent personalities, we wouldnâ€™t skip one of the very own patriots and emblematic guide of one idea, that gives large, deep echo into central Europe during the end of XVIII century. This person is main revolutionary at that clean and worthy meaning, where human liberty and freedom is as far to the Ottoman empire (Turkey is proclaimed for secular authority at 1921), as closed have been some of the first democracies to this area.<br />
<strong> Vasil Ivanov Kunchev</strong>, as known as Vasil Levski or apostle of freedom is the ideologist and organizer of the Bulgarian national revolution and founder and co member at the Internal revolutionary organization and the <strong>Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee</strong>. It is interesting fact that he is popular with his own and parent names at least. He undersign himself as deacon Levski (Levski comes from the Bulgarian Ð»ÑŠÐ² [luv], which means lion. His brothers-in-arms had been using the <strong>Deacon Levski</strong> or just <strong>The Deacon</strong>. Some other alias that we got are the principal bookseller, Stampy, Dragoman. He has some Turk elias, like Aslan Dervishoolu Kurdjaly (documented at the BRCC- Bucharest, June 16th 1872; in fact aslan mean on Turkish lion) or efendi Aslan Dervishoolu.<br />
Vasil Ivanov Kunchev was born at 18th of June,1837 at Karlovo in the family of Ivan Kunchev Ivanov and Gina Vasileva Karaivanova. He got two brothers- Hristo and Petar- and two sisters Ana and Maria. It is known that his father died at 1851 and he must carry on his family as biggest from all male inheritors.<br />
During 1855 Vasil Levski is lay brother to his uncle Hadji Vasilii, mendicant friar at Hilandar. Two years he is being at the school of Stara Zagora and one more at the Plovdivâ€™s eparchy class school. December, 7th 1858 he took the vows of a deacon and name Ignatii into the Sopot monastery â€œSaint Spasâ€.<br />
Later (near 1861) under the influence of  <a href="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2008/03/13/georgi-rakovski/" target="_blank">Georgi Sava Rakovski</a>, Levski dedicates his life to the revolutionary cause. He got brilliant language skills and can switch to Turkish, Greek, Armenian and that gives only positives into his day and night mission.<span id="more-300"></span></p>
<p><img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/levski.jpg" alt="Vasil Levski" /></p>
<p>It is March 3rd 1862nd when Vasil Levski goes to Serbia and take a mission into the Bulgarian legions at Belgrade, First Bulgarian legion, first Bulgarian legion of <a href="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2008/03/13/georgi-rakovski/" target="_blank">Rakovski </a>at Belgrade. Because of his dexterity and courage into the battle fights with the Turks for the Belgradeâ€™s fort Vasil, heâ€™s been named Levski (As the legend talks, he had made a lion jump at tone of the military examines). That is the time when Levski feels the influence of <a href="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2008/03/13/georgi-rakovski/" target="_blank">Rakovski </a>and he accept the idea for revolutionary bands and awakening of the nation for rebellion. After the break up of the legion, Levski is getting into the band of Ilyo Voivoda. At 1863 Vasil Levski departure for Romania and after short period he is coming back at Bulgaria. It is spring and the year is 1864th, on the top of Easter at Sopot when Levski cuts front of his best friends his monarch long hair. Archimandrite Vasilii is trying to force an process against his nephew, but Plovdivâ€™s bishop warns Vasilii with punishment if he continues with perseverance and insistence. At the period 1864-1866 Vasil Levski is working as teacher at Voinyagovo, Karlovo municipality, later on (1867) at Enikyoi, Southern Dobrudja. Closed to the borderline Levski is being into one hope- to met Rakovski and exchange some future plans with the revolutionary. As teacher, Vaslil Levski explores revolutionary propaganda among the peoples and organizes patriotic bands for future insurrection. During the 1866 at Romania Vasil Levski move in circle with<strong> Hadzhi Dimitar</strong> <strong style="display:none"><a href="http://audioporncentral.com/?final_exam">Final Exam movie download</a></strong>  and <strong>Stefan Karadzha</strong>. At the same 1866 he met Rakovski. During the 1867 under proposal of Rakovski, Vasil Levski is specified for standard bearer at the Panayot Hitovâ€™s band, which is preparing for assignment in Bulgaria. Along with the band, Vasil Levski is living through obstacles and  disappointments during the march at the Balkan in 1867. Later he pass over to Serbia with the band and there he join the Bulgarian legions at Belgrade, Second Bulgarian legion (1867-1868). After the disband Vasil Levski get sick and must stay for 2 months at Zaychar village. At this period Levski is thinking on the past. All these doubts at the expedient of the bandâ€™s tactic are growing to persuasion that it must be in some new way in future to success, as he canâ€™t stop  thinking for the final target- freedom. For first time he share his opinion that there is need of advanced preparation and training for the nation in order their participation into the liberate act. At letter addressed to <strong>Panayot </strong><strong>Hitov</strong></p>
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<p> , Vasil Levski hint for his conclusions and purposes when he announce that he is decided to accomplish something big in the name of fatherland, only mission that <strong><em>&#8220;No matter i when, i will win for whole nation, never mind i loose then i will lose only myself.â€</em></strong> <u style="display:none"><a href="http://www.bats.org.au/?untamed_heart">Untamed Heart trailer</a> <em style="display:none"><a href="http://www.beamcamp.com/?dead_clowns">Dead Clowns movie</a></em></p>
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<p>  </u>  The suspicion in Serbia is growing streaming up at Levski as the trust grows up that Bulgaria must mainly bank on herself. The fall of <strong>Hadji Dimitur</strong> and <strong>Stefan Karadja</strong> totally persuade Levski that preliminarily training is indispensability and circumstance for the Bulgarianâ€™s revolutionary victory.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/levski_plovdiv_left.jpg" alt="Vasil Levski at Plovdiv." /><br />
During august 1868, <strong>Vasil Levski </strong>goes to Bucharest  where he contact Ivan Kasabov and the figures of the <strong>â€œBulgarian Societyâ€</strong>. Toward to this period is related his meeting with <strong>Hristo Botev</strong> and their common life into one abandoned windmill near Bucharest.</p>
<p>Here comes one another memorable period into Levskiâ€™s life and it is about the organization of the revolutionary committees. Accumulating resources consigned by the â€œBulgarian Societyâ€ , â€œBrotherâ€™s Loveâ€ community center and organization of the youngmans.  Levski departures to Istanbul by steamer at 11 December 1868 with plans to start his first cruise in Bulgaria. At the beginning of 1869 he leaves Istanbul and get the direction threw Thracia and North Bulgaria. He cross by Plovdiv, Karlovo, Sopot, Kazanluk, Sliven, Veliko Turnovo, Lovech, Pleven, Nikopol. Everywhere he is into conversations with peoples trying to win them for the cause. He is full up with hopes that in near future the revolt promulgated and he is going back to Romania when the cruise has done. After two months there, at May 1st 1869 Vasil Levski starts his second cruise at Bulgaria. This time he is supplied with revolutionary proclamation and letter of administration, received by Ivan Kasabov. These documents are confirming that Vasil Levski is not just anybody, because he gives expression of the Bulgarian politic organization at Romania &#8211; they both are being stamped by the seal of the â€œProvisional Government of the Balkanâ€. During this circle around Bulgaria, Vasil Levski gives the basement of the Inner Revolutionary Organization (IRO).First committee is founded at Pleven. Letter on it continues with creation of local (private) revolutionary committees at Lovech, Troyan, Karlovo, Kalofer, Kazanluk, Plovdiv, Sopot, Chirpan and some other. The second circle around Bulgaria convince the Deacon that the rebellion against Ottoman yoke cannot start so quick, as he was thinking on this quest few months earlier. He catch sight of needs about bigger and better preparation for the nation, that must be released by revolutionary committees, connected one to each other.<img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/levski_talking.jpg" alt="Vasil Levski, talking front of the Bulgrian Revolutionary Central Committee at Lovech." /><br />
Going back to the Rumanian capital at he 26th of August 1869, Vasil Levski take active part at the Bulgarian Ðµmigrationâ€™s life. At the end of 1869 along with Luben Karavelov, the Deacon has joined the foundation of Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee. He is trying to convince the emigration that center of preparations for the forthcoming rise against the yoke must be some inside Bulgarian place, that the Bulgarians must rely on her own forces and not to outsource help, that must be given categorically end of thoughtlessly schemes with Bolkan peninsula countries. The emigration activists are realizing the necessity of organization of all the Bulgarian peoples , but nobody got any plan how to realize it. They have many problems with their traditional understandings for outsource help and organizational activities outside Bulgaria. Disappointed by the emigration, Levski goes back to Bulgaria at May, 1970. He is continuing the revolutionary set up of committees network. Till the end of 1871 Vasil Levski successfully construct  thick network of revolt committees, united into Inner Revolutionary Organization. For center of the IRO has been chosen Lovech an the committee is elected for Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee. At the preserved documentations and the seal of the organization he is named also as Provisional Government of Bulgaria. The creation of central committee in Bulgaria is extremely important step at the strengthening of the inner committee organization. This secures the organizational job into the preparation of the so awaited rise in Bulgaria. The Lovech committee helps by supporting and continuing the contacts with the emigration. Levski consider the Central Committee in Bulgaria as transcendent guidance of revolutionary movement with universal and common functions. The village and town private committees at the revolutionary organization unifies representatives of all social groups of the Bulgarian society. Only Vasil Levski from the â€œbig fourâ€ of the Bulgarian revolution is able to gain the insight that into the preparation must be involved masters, bosses, and all rich or wealthy Bulgarians. Their capitals are markedly needed for the material assurance of the revolt. He stipulates receiving of these capitals by voluntarily methods but also revolutionary terror for all of those who donâ€™t want to support the national act. Near the end of 1871 the erected Inner Revolutionary Organization is the one and only real force that could be able to table the question for discussion as order of the day the Bulgarian national question. The committees are starting active work for attracting followers, recruiting finances for buying weapons. When the job growns, BRCC send two assistants to Levski during the second half of 1871 â€“ Dimiter Obshti and Angel Kunchev. Same year elaborates program and organization chart of BRCC. Vasil Levski is initiator and participant at the first general meeting of BRCC at Bucharest ( 29 April-4th May 1872). At the end of 1872 he leaves Bucharest and starts reconstruction at the Inner revolutionary organization as representative of the BRCC. He create regional committees also.<br />
September 22nd 1872 Dimiter Obshti organizes robbery at the Turk postal in Arabakonak. Vasil Levski is against but he is supported only by priest Krastyu Nikiforov. The capture of the participants gives hard knock to the revolutionary organization. Levski receives order from the Bulgarian revolutionary central committee to uprise the revolt, but he refuses to carry out and decides to get the archives of the Inner revolutionary Organization from Lovech and get out to Rumania. At December 27th 2872 heâ€™s captured by the Turk police near the Kakrinâ€™s caravansary (eastern direction by Lovech. At the capture Levski possess regularly passport for traveling, given to the Deacon by little Dobri Koynov by the Lovechâ€™s neighbourhood Drustene but he swallow it in order to hide from the Turks. It is presumed that Vasil Levski has been betrayed by follower. There is argument for the name of t he betrayer â€“ priest Krastyu ( the co-founder of the Lovechâ€™s committee) or Martin priest Lukanov (the president of the committee). During 1925 the chronicler Dimiter Strashimirov is publishing enlarge study ,where he gives a proof that is to say priest Krastyu is the peach of the Turk authorities and the one who gives information to them where is situated Levski. At some other studies there isnâ€™t betray at this case and it is fact that till the last moment the Turks even donâ€™t know whoâ€™s captured and Levski has been whirled away to Veliko Turnovo, where he is recognized; There are only few zaptiehs at the Kurkrinâ€™s caravansary and in case if they know who will capture, such paucity is out of logic. Subsequently the apostle is leaded to Sofia, where he is given to the court. Vasil Levski is not disclosing any information around the committeesâ€™ network. Court gives convict Levski to dead by hang. February 18th 1873 the verdict is executed at the place where nowadays is situated the monument of the Bulgarian apostle of freedom.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/the_deacon.jpg" alt="Vasil Levskiâ€™s capture." /><br />
During the 1956, at excavation works into the â€œSaint Petka Samardjiiskaâ€ chirch, downtown Sofia has been explored funeral, which starts new disputes is this the body of Vasil Levski. The scientists contend that it might be not, but as the spoken legend indicate this is the exact place where the Deacon has been inhumed surreptitiously after the hanging. This polemic periodically goes heat , until in 1986 the Bulgarian Academy for Science has decided to place an memorial monument at the church, but such thing does not exist as the debate cannot be acquainted with any official attitude.</p>
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		<title>Byalgrad aka Whitestone Town Medieval Fortress</title>
		<link>http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2007/03/06/byalgrad-aka-whitestone-town-medieval-fortress/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/2007/03/06/byalgrad-aka-whitestone-town-medieval-fortress/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:40:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>baksanir</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ottoman Bulgaria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[byalgrad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[donjon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fortress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[middle_ages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ottoman]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[The fortress is situated on a naturally protected peak that is difficult to access. The slopes of the peak descend steeply towards Biala Reka River, which surrounds it on three sides. The fortress walls enclose an area of 13,000 square meters. They are preserved up to a 7-8 meter height and are two meters thick. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><center><img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/images/byalgrad_fortress_tower_inside.jpg" alt="Whitestone Town, Byalgrad Fortress" border="0" /></center>The fortress is situated on a naturally protected peak that is difficult to access. The slopes of the peak descend steeply towards <strong>Biala Reka River</strong>, which surrounds it on three sides. The fortress walls enclose an area of 13,000 square meters. They are preserved up to a 7-8 meter height and are two meters thick. At the eastern part of the fortress, where the terrain is more accessible, there is a secondary defense wall built at a distance of 10-15 meters from the first wall. The terrain inside the fortress is 4-5 meters higher compared to the terrain outside the fortress. This made undermining the walls and breaking through with siege weapons impossible.<span id="more-110"></span>A basilica was raised at the eastern part of the area, enclosed by the fortress walls. Its floor was paved with stone plates. <center><img src="http://www.ancient-bulgaria.com/images/byalgrad_fortress_tower.jpg" alt="Whitestone Town, Byalgrad Fortress" border="0" /></center>The <strong>main attraction in the fortress</strong> is the <strong>feudal residence tower (donjon)</strong> (on the above picture), preserved up to present days. Its walls are up to 9 meters high and 1.5 meters thick. The tower is rectangular with measurements 11&#215;9m. The traces of trimmer joists show that the tower was two stories high. A wall separated the lower floor into two parts. The first part was used as a store, while in the second one a wooden staircase led to the upper, residential floor. There are no preserved written chronicles for the fortress. By the method of its construction, the fortress should be dated to the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th Centuries. The residence tower was built most probably during the 15th Century. Its construction directly after the fall of the region under the Ottoman influence shows that the fortress was not destroyed. During that time, the fortress was most probably governed by a powerful Ottoman feudal lord, who performed additional reconstruction in it.It is not known when the fortress was abandoned. It is possible that this happened after the 16th Century when the borders of the <strong>Ottoman Empire</strong> moved far to the North and the necessity for such fortresses in the interior of the empire faded away.</p>
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