507000 508000 509000 510000 511000 512000 513000 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 0 8 8 4 Medieval Pliska - the First Capital of Bulgaria. 4 Today this is a National Historical and Archaeological Reserve The Eastern gate Dr. Stefan Stamenov, Assoc. Prof. Vanya Stamenova Space Research and Technology Institute - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences ¯ Photo: Stefan Stamenov Inside the Citadel 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 0 0 8 8 4 4 Photo: Stefan Stamenov Remains of Khan Krum's palace 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 8 8 4 4 Photo: Stefan Stamenov The medieval town of Pliska existed from the end of 7th century till the mid of 11th The North entrance in the Citadel century. From the beginning of its existence until the end of 9th century it was the first capital of Bulgaria. The archaeological exploration of Pliska started in 1899 and with some interruptions it continues today. The medieval town was divided into two parts. The Outer Town is a region of approximately 23 sq. km surrounded by an earthen rampart and a ditch and the Inner Town is a stone fortress occupying an area of 48 hectares. Because of its smaller size and the importance of its structures, the Inner Town tends to be 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 much better explored as a result of which we 2 0 0 8 8 4 know its history in more detail. The Outer Town 4 which is spread on a vast territory and comprises Photo: Stefan Stamenov many sites and structures has been relatively less excavated and studied. Remains of the Earthen rampart ot the Outer Town of Pliska, western side. Legend The Great Basilic Outer Town Inner Town 0 0 0 Photo: Vanya Stamenova 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 4 0 0.5 1 2 Citadel 4 Km A reconstruction of the so called Palace of Omurtag, Remains of the Great Basilic (the Throne Palace), according to R. Rashev. The Citadel Photo: Stefan Stamenov Photo: Stefan Stamenov 0 Khan Krum's palace 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 9 9 7 7 4 4 Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel-2 Data (2020), processed by Dr. Stefan Stamenov 507000 508000 509000 510000 511000 512000 513000.