Medieval fortress Pernik
The Medieval Fortress Pernik is located on a relatively small rocky plateau at the south-west part of Pernik. Surviving remains outline a polygonal fortress, believed to be built at the time of khan Omurtag. Remains, discovered by archaeologists, help date the fortress to the VI – V centuries BCE. The fortress wall is 2 meters thick. Its outline follows the plateau’s natural layout.
This Thracian fortress is one of the most significant for Bulgarian territory, archeologically attested. At the beginning of the XI century ruler of the fortress was nobleman of ancient Bulgarian descent Krakra. Legends and songs of the unbeatable warlord Krakra are sung and told to this day. The Pernik Fortress gains international renown when the military conflict between Bulgaria and Byzantium relocated to the western lands of Bulgaria. Byzantian chronist Scylitzes described the Bulgarian resistance, led by the ruler of the Pernik Fortress – Krakra, versus Byzantine emperor Basil II. The fortress resists rampant sieges in 1004 and 1016.
The Fortress offers a view of the area ,,Kurvavoto’’ (,,The Bloody [place]’’). Legend has it that in 1016 Krakra resisted an 88-day siege, during which a lot of Byzantines lose their lives. This is how the name of the area came to be. According to one of St. Ivan of Rila, the city patrion’s biographies, in this area there is a cave, where he made his living for some time.
Other than the preserved substructions of living quarters, visitors can tell apart the substructions of three Christian temples – a cross-domed church, a large three-aisled basilica and one of the few known two-story gatehouse church-tombs. Here archeologists discovered tzar Peter’s silver stamp – the only known ruler’s silver stamp of the time period. Legend says that the tzar spent some time here, before continuing on way to meet with St. Ivan of Rila.
In 2013 Pernik Municipality realized the project ,,Improvement of the tourist attraction – Medieval Fortress ‘Krakra of Pernik’ and its related infrastructure” under the OP ,,Regional Development” 2007-2013.
Visits
The Fortress’ corner tower and western gate are visualized using alternative materials. All entries of the fortress are repaired and the road leading to it is renovated. An attraction watchtower is built.
Practical and well-made allies give the visitors access to additional tourist attractions – catapults and wall-breaking cannons. The Fortress walls are equipped with panoramic platforms, granting the visitors an unforgettable experience – birds view of the whole city and its surrounding.
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