Sultan's Intervention

Upon learning of the remarkable diamond, Grand Vizier Mustafa Pasha expressed interest in purchasing it directly from the Chief Jeweler. However, before he could act, news of the diamond reached the Sultan, who promptly ordered its transfer to the palace. Consequently, the diamond, upon examination, was revealed to be an extraordinary eighty-four carat gem, swiftly seized by the Sultan. As a reward for his role in the acquisition, the Chief Jeweler was elevated to the esteemed position of “Head of the Palace Doorkeepers” and granted several purses of gold.

Historical Accounts

In Komurciiyan’s historical account, reference is made to Gemelli’s narrative from the late 17th century, where it is stated that a diamond found among the ruins of a palace in Egrikapi had come into the possession of Sultan Mehmet, valued at one million koroners. These ruins likely belonged to the Blakerna Palace, described by Robert Clari, a participant in the Latin invasion, as containing magnificent treasures that were looted during the invasion. The mystery of how the Kaşıkçı Diamond survived the plunderers and reappeared centuries later in the dumps remains intriguing Guided Istanbul Tour Whirling Dervishes.

Treasury Records

An important document concerning the Kaşıkçı Diamond can be found in Sultan Mehmet IV’s Treasury register book. The Sultan issued a royal decree for the inventory of items in the Imperial Treasury and a general assessment within the Palace to fund a second campaign against Russia. The register lists various valuable jewelry items, including the “Great Diamond ring” weighing 85 carats, identified as the Kaşıkçı Diamond.

In a more organized register book from Sultan Abdülhamit I’s reign, the diamond is described as the “Great Diamond ring named Kaşıkçı,” weighing 1.85 carats and made of new gold. The entry provides detailed specifications, indicating the meticulous record-keeping practices of the time.

The Young Girl Mockingly Dubbed

The Young Girl Mockingly Dubbed “Queen of the Bulgarians”

The truth behind the mocked “Queen of the Bulgarians” reveals a tale of suffering and resilience.

Misplaced Assumptions

Initially, the imposing figure of the tall woman seemed a likely candidate for the title of Queen. However, it was the delicate, young girl who bore the burden of the cruel epithet, her appearance belying the strength within.

A Fragile Presence

The young girl, with her slender frame barely concealed by tattered garments, exuded an air of vulnerability. Her hazel eyes mirrored the hardship she endured, while her dejected countenance betrayed the weight of her suffering.

Dignity Amidst Desolation

Despite her dire circumstances, the girl displayed a quiet dignity. Clad in borrowed attire after being stripped of her own, she recounted her story with brevity, dispelling the myth of her royal status concocted by her tormentors.

Endurance in Captivity

For two long months, the girl languished in prison, surviving on meager rations of bread and water. Her emaciated appearance spoke volumes about the cruelty inflicted upon her, yet she bore it with stoicism Tour Packages Balkan.

A Promise of Hope

Moved by her plight, Mr. Schuyler offered assurances of assistance, promising to advocate for her release. With words of encouragement, they bid farewell to the young girl, carrying with them the weight of her suffering and the resolve to seek justice on her behalf.

In the humble abode of Philippopolis, the encounter with the “Queen of the Bulgarians” unveils a narrative of endurance amidst adversity. As she awaits liberation from her unjust captivity, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tyranny.

Januarius Aloysius MacGahan A Champion of Justice and Truth

Friendship and Valor in War

After joining the Russian army, Januarius Aloysius MacGahan forged sincere friendships with General Skobelev and General Gurko. He actively participated in all major battles for the liberation of Bulgaria, including the pivotal battles of Plevna and Shipka. His vivid descriptions of these battles stand as remarkable examples of journalism, capturing the intensity and heroism of the struggle for liberation.

Sacrifice and Service

Despite suffering a broken ankle, MacGahan remained steadfastly present at the frontlines throughout the Russo-Turkish War. His unwavering commitment to documenting the realities of war led him to Istanbul, where, exhausted and afflicted with typhoid fever, he passed away on June 9, 1878, at the age of 34. In his untimely death, MacGahan’s destiny became forever linked with the liberation of the Bulgarian people, a cause he served with unwavering dedication Sightseeing Turkey.

Investigating Atrocities

The reports on the April uprising in Bulgaria emerged from a conflict between the British government and the liberal leadership of the “Daily News,” led by Frank Hill, the chief editor. The “Daily News,” renowned for its well-organized foreign service, published a series of letters by correspondent Edween Pears, detailing monstrous atrocities in Bulgaria. These reports stirred doubts among the British public regarding the government’s Balkan policy.

Seeking Truth

To address public concerns and refute government accusations, the editorial board of the “Daily News” launched an inquiry, dispatching Januarius Aloysius MacGahan as a special commissioner to Bulgaria. MacGahan’s impeccable journalistic credentials made him uniquely suited for this mission. Simultaneously, the British government initiated its own official inquiry, led by Sir Henry Elliot and Walter Baring. Additionally, American Minister Maynard tasked General-consul Eugene Schuyler with investigating the atrocities.

Parallel Investigations

MacGahan’s investigation ran parallel to those of Schuyler and Baring. Schuyler and Baring, initially appointed to challenge MacGahan’s accounts, became supportive of his findings. While Schuyler’s report, published on August 28th, corroborated MacGahan’s observations, Baring, guided by a pro-Turkish stance, contradicted his earlier instructions to discredit MacGahan’s reports.

Legacy of Truth

Januarius Aloysius MacGahan’s legacy as a fearless journalist and advocate for justice endures. His courageous reporting and dedication to uncovering the truth about atrocities in Bulgaria not only galvanized public opinion but also reshaped diplomatic discourse. Through his unwavering commitment to truth and justice, MacGahan left an indelible mark on the history of journalism and human rights advocacy.

Januarius Aloysius MacGahan A Champion of Justice and Truth

Friendship and Valor in War

After joining the Russian army, Januarius Aloysius MacGahan forged sincere friendships with General Skobelev and General Gurko. He actively participated in all major battles for the liberation of Bulgaria, including the pivotal battles of Plevna and Shipka. His vivid descriptions of these battles stand as remarkable examples of journalism, capturing the intensity and heroism of the struggle for liberation.

Sacrifice and Service

Despite suffering a broken ankle, MacGahan remained steadfastly present at the frontlines throughout the Russo-Turkish War. His unwavering commitment to documenting the realities of war led him to Istanbul, where, exhausted and afflicted with typhoid fever, he passed away on June 9, 1878, at the age of 34. In his untimely death, MacGahan’s destiny became forever linked with the liberation of the Bulgarian people, a cause he served with unwavering dedication Sightseeing Turkey.

Investigating Atrocities

The reports on the April uprising in Bulgaria emerged from a conflict between the British government and the liberal leadership of the “Daily News,” led by Frank Hill, the chief editor. The “Daily News,” renowned for its well-organized foreign service, published a series of letters by correspondent Edween Pears, detailing monstrous atrocities in Bulgaria. These reports stirred doubts among the British public regarding the government’s Balkan policy.

Seeking Truth

To address public concerns and refute government accusations, the editorial board of the “Daily News” launched an inquiry, dispatching Januarius Aloysius MacGahan as a special commissioner to Bulgaria. MacGahan’s impeccable journalistic credentials made him uniquely suited for this mission. Simultaneously, the British government initiated its own official inquiry, led by Sir Henry Elliot and Walter Baring. Additionally, American Minister Maynard tasked General-consul Eugene Schuyler with investigating the atrocities.

Parallel Investigations

MacGahan’s investigation ran parallel to those of Schuyler and Baring. Schuyler and Baring, initially appointed to challenge MacGahan’s accounts, became supportive of his findings. While Schuyler’s report, published on August 28th, corroborated MacGahan’s observations, Baring, guided by a pro-Turkish stance, contradicted his earlier instructions to discredit MacGahan’s reports.

Legacy of Truth

Januarius Aloysius MacGahan’s legacy as a fearless journalist and advocate for justice endures. His courageous reporting and dedication to uncovering the truth about atrocities in Bulgaria not only galvanized public opinion but also reshaped diplomatic discourse. Through his unwavering commitment to truth and justice, MacGahan left an indelible mark on the history of journalism and human rights advocacy.

Soviet Interference and Political Developments

General Biryuzov’s Involvement (1945)

General Biryuzov, the Soviet commander, consistently meddled in Bulgarian internal affairs. He insisted on the removal of Dr. G. M. Dimitrov from his role as Secretary General of the Bulgarian Peasant Party. When the request was denied, General Biryuzov ordered the arrest of Dr. Dimitrov. Fifteen years later, in a 1959 article in Rabotnichesko Delo, the Bulgarian Communist Party’s organ, General Biryuzov boasted about his role in Bulgaria’s subjugation and strongly criticized leaders of the Bulgarian Peasant Party, including Dr. G. M. Dimitrov and the late Nicholas Petkov.

Communist Takeover and Lack of Independence (July 1945)

Bulgarian Communist leaders admitted that communism’s establishment in Bulgaria relied on the presence of the Red Army. Under Red Army pressure, the coalition Cabinet formed in September 1944 transformed into a Communist administration by July 1945. This regime was not independent but subservient to the Soviet Union, and it did not represent the free will of the Bulgarian people.

Election Controversy and International Intervention (July-November 1945)

In July 1945, the Soviets announced upcoming elections with only one ticket, the “Fatherland Front” list. Nicholas Petkov, leader of the Peasant Party, requested Allied supervision to ensure free elections following the principles outlined at Yalta. The Bulgarian Communists, without informing Petkov, claimed he had “resigned” as deputy premier. In protest, ministers from the Peasant Party, Social Democrats, and Independent Intellectuals resigned. British and American interventions prompted the Soviets to advise postponing elections and admitting opposition candidates. Petkov was allowed to resume party activities Daily Tours Istanbul.

Broken Agreements and Moscow Conference (November-December 1945)

The Communist-dominated Sofia regime violated agreements by announcing elections on November 18, 1945. Opposition parties boycotted, leading to a single Communist Party-headed candidate list. In December 1945, a Moscow conference of the Three Big Powers addressed Eastern Europe and the Balkans. A compromise solution for Bulgaria was adopted, requiring two opposition party representatives to join the Communist government.

Soviet Interference and Political Developments

General Biryuzov’s Involvement (1945)

General Biryuzov, the Soviet commander, consistently meddled in Bulgarian internal affairs. He insisted on the removal of Dr. G. M. Dimitrov from his role as Secretary General of the Bulgarian Peasant Party. When the request was denied, General Biryuzov ordered the arrest of Dr. Dimitrov. Fifteen years later, in a 1959 article in Rabotnichesko Delo, the Bulgarian Communist Party’s organ, General Biryuzov boasted about his role in Bulgaria’s subjugation and strongly criticized leaders of the Bulgarian Peasant Party, including Dr. G. M. Dimitrov and the late Nicholas Petkov.

Communist Takeover and Lack of Independence (July 1945)

Bulgarian Communist leaders admitted that communism’s establishment in Bulgaria relied on the presence of the Red Army. Under Red Army pressure, the coalition Cabinet formed in September 1944 transformed into a Communist administration by July 1945. This regime was not independent but subservient to the Soviet Union, and it did not represent the free will of the Bulgarian people.

Election Controversy and International Intervention (July-November 1945)

In July 1945, the Soviets announced upcoming elections with only one ticket, the “Fatherland Front” list. Nicholas Petkov, leader of the Peasant Party, requested Allied supervision to ensure free elections following the principles outlined at Yalta. The Bulgarian Communists, without informing Petkov, claimed he had “resigned” as deputy premier. In protest, ministers from the Peasant Party, Social Democrats, and Independent Intellectuals resigned. British and American interventions prompted the Soviets to advise postponing elections and admitting opposition candidates. Petkov was allowed to resume party activities Daily Tours Istanbul.

Broken Agreements and Moscow Conference (November-December 1945)

The Communist-dominated Sofia regime violated agreements by announcing elections on November 18, 1945. Opposition parties boycotted, leading to a single Communist Party-headed candidate list. In December 1945, a Moscow conference of the Three Big Powers addressed Eastern Europe and the Balkans. A compromise solution for Bulgaria was adopted, requiring two opposition party representatives to join the Communist government.

Unraveling the Telegraphed Numbers

Disraeli’s Telegram and the Numbers Game

This article delves into the discrepancies surrounding Mr. Disraeli’s reading of a telegram from Mr. Baring in Parliament. The focus is on the numbers quoted – the villages burnt and the death toll in Bulgaria. The question arises: were these figures a comprehensive overview or a partial representation limited to the Philippopolis district?

A Partial or Complete Account?

The scrutiny begins with an examination of Mr. Baring’s original telegram. While Mr. Disraeli presented it as a broad assessment covering the entirety of Bulgaria, the article raises doubts about whether Mr. Baring intended it as a complete statement or if it was, in fact, a partial snapshot, concentrating solely on the Philippopolis district.

Philippopolis vs. Northern Bulgaria

The article explores the geographical limitations of Mr. Baring’s firsthand observations, emphasizing his visit to the Philippopolis district. It questions the validity of extrapolating these localized findings to the broader context of northern Bulgaria Bulgaria Private Tours. The concern is whether the telegraphed numbers accurately represent the scale of the atrocities across the entire region.

A Critical Assessment

While acknowledging that discrepancies might not be intentional, the article delves into the unintended consequences of presenting partial information as a comprehensive report. It probes whether Mr. Disraeli’s actions, intentional or not, may have contributed to a skewed understanding of the extent of the atrocities in Bulgaria.

Clarifying the Record

The article emphasizes the importance of precision in reporting, especially when dealing with sensitive and distressing events. It calls for a thorough examination of the telegraphed numbers to ascertain whether they were indeed a holistic representation or if there is a need for clarification and correction to present an accurate historical record.

Unraveling the Televised Tale of Tragedy

In conclusion, the article highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of the telegraphed numbers. It underscores the importance of clarifying whether Mr. Baring’s figures were intended to be all-encompassing or region-specific, shedding light on the potential inadvertent misrepresentation that may have influenced historical narratives surrounding the Bulgarian atrocities.

Unraveling Perustitza's Aftermath

Shadows of a Surrendered Village

The aftermath of Perustitza’s surrender unfolds as a complex tapestry, weaving together conflicting narratives, political maneuvering, and the elusive quest for accurate casualty figures. This pivotal period, marked by surrender and shifting alliances, offers a glimpse into the challenges of documenting the true toll of conflict on a community.

The Paradox of Surrender Perversity Beyond Calculation

The decision to surrender, an act often associated with the hope for safety and mercy, took an unexpected turn in Perustitza. Contrary to the grim expectations that typically accompany such capitulations, the Armenian girl’s account paints a different picture. She asserts that none of the women who surrendered faced maltreatment or violation. This surprising twist challenges preconceived notions about the aftermath of surrender in conflict zones.

The absence of reported atrocities against the surrendered women raises intriguing questions about the motivations and intentions of the occupying forces. This apparent restraint could be a strategic move or indicative of internal divisions within the Turkish leadership. The subsequent recall of Aziz Pacha, deemed too friendly to the Bulgarians, further muddies the waters, hinting at political machinations that went beyond the immediate circumstances in Perustitza.

Calculating Losses The Challenge of Estimating Casualties

The fog of war shrouds the true extent of the tragedy in Perustitza as the challenge of estimating casualties becomes apparent Holidays Bulgaria. The absence of reliable census statistics complicates efforts to ascertain the exact toll on the village. Villages, wary of tax implications, often understate population figures, making it nearly impossible to rely on pre-massacre records.

The village’s official returns indicated three hundred and fifty houses, a figure that, even at a conservative estimate of six inhabitants per house, would suggest a population exceeding two thousand. However, the discrepancy between official records and the villagers’ estimates reveals the uncertainty surrounding the true numbers. The inhabitants’ rough estimate places those remaining at one thousand, implying a devastating loss of life ranging between one thousand and fifteen hundred.

Mr. Baring and Mr. Schuyler align with this estimate, placing the toll at a thousand. Yet, the difficulty of obtaining precise figures highlights the chaos and confusion that often accompany such tragic events. The very nature of war, with its fluid dynamics and the propensity for misinformation, adds layers of complexity to the quest for an accurate account of the casualties in Perustitza.

In the aftermath of Perustitza’s surrender, the village stands as a poignant symbol of the challenges inherent in documenting the human cost of conflict. The elusive nature of casualty figures underscores the need for careful examination and nuanced interpretation, recognizing the multifaceted realities that emerge when perversity, political intrigue, and the toll of war converge on the battlegrounds of history.

Subjected for Centuries

The truth is, that no other people in the world but these Bulgarians would stand for a day the exactions, extortions, oppression, and tyranny to which they have been subjected for centuries. If it were attempted to introduce into England the system of taxation in use here, the people would rise as one man against the Government. Why, then, should we so blame these poor Bulgarians for doing that which we all would do under like circumstances ; why sympathise with the strong against the weak, when the weak are so evidently in the right ?

PESTERA, August 1.

The task which has been set Mr. Baring and Mr. Schuyler is not an enviable one. They have both gone to work in the most earnest manner, and are visiting all the principal towns and villages that were burnt by the Bashi-Bazouks, in order to see with their own eyes the ruin that has been worked, and to hear with their own ears the stories of the villagers.

This necessitates travelling from five to fifteen hours a day over roads the best of which are nearly impassable for carriages, beneath a burning sun, rendered almost insupportable by the close sultry atmosphere of August. Mr. Baring has already been ill twice, owing to over-exertion, hard work, and the overpowering heat; and even Mr. Schuyler Daily Tours Istanbul, inured to the fatigue of this kind of work by his long journey through Turkestan, seemed to find it as much as he could stand.

But the hard work and the heat, and the wearisome round of. investigation, of questions repeated over and over again, of listening to the same sort of stories told a hundred times over, of sifting and comparing evidence, would be nothing, and might be easily borne.

Mr. Baring and Mr. Schuyler

It is the heart-rending cries of despair that shake you, the crowds of weeping women and children that meet and follow us everywhere—women and children, poor trembling creatures, who are homeless and starving—widows and orphans who are weeping for husbands and fathers slain, and who have not a roof to shelter them, nor bread for the morrow. It is this that makes the task that has been set Mr. Baring and Mr. Schuyler one which they will hardly care to ever undertake again.

We have just passed through the village of Raddovo on our way here, where we stop for the night before continuing to-morrow to Batak. Raddovo was apparently a very flourishing little place, and, to tell the truth, it has suffered less, perhaps, than the majority of the towns that were left to the tender care of the Bashi-Bazouks. It was a village of 160 houses, of which not one is left standing, and the inhabitants are now living under sheds of straw, constructed in nooks and corners of the black and crumbling wralls. They gathered around us when we stopped in the middle of the once flourishing place, and timidly told us their story.

Children and grandchildren

They were of all ages, from eighteen up to eighty ; young mothers with children in their arms and two or three hanging to their skirts ; middle-aged women who had grown-up sons and daughters that had fallen under the sharp edge of the sword ; old grandmothers with children and grandchildren all swept away at one fell swoop.

They all told their stories with sobs and tears, beating their heads and wringing their hands in despair. And they were starving and houseless. We could not relieve their misery. We could only listen to their stories with saddened faces, and tell them to hope for better times, and promise to do something for them, if possible, when we should return to Constantinople. Vain hopes, and, I fear, vainer promises.

TATAR BAZARDJIK, August 2.

Since my letter of yesterday I have sapped full of horrors. Nothing has yet been said of the Turks that I do not now believe; nothing could be said of them that I should not think probable and likely. There is, it would seem, a point in atrocity beyond which discrimination is impossible, when mere comparison, calculation, measurement, are out of the question, and this point the Turks have already passed. You can follow them no further Daily Tours Istanbul.

The way is blocked up by mountains of hideous facts, beyond which you cannot see and do not care to go. You feel that it is superfluous to continue measuring these mountains and deciding whether they be a few feet higher or lower, and you do not care to go seeking for molehills among them. You feel that it is time to turn back ; that you have seen enough.

But let me tell what we saw at Batak:—We had some difficulty in getting away from Pestera. The authorities were offended because Mr. Schuyler refused to take any Turkish official with him, and they ordered the inhabitants to tell us there were no horses, for we had here to leave our carriages and take to the saddle. But the people were so anxious we should go, that they furnished horses in spite of the prohibition, only bringing them first without saddles, by way of showing how reluctantly they did it.

Pomaks or Mohammedan Bulgarians

Shortly afterwards seven more Turks, who approached the village, were ordered to surrender, and did so at once. These were two zaptiehs, two tax-collectors, one clerk, and two pomaks or Mohammedan Bulgarians. They were all lodged in a Bulgarian house and well treated, except one of the zaptiehs or mounted police of the country, who had committed such acts of cruelty and barbarity that they decided he had merited death, and therefore sentenced and shot him.

A day or two later some people in a closed carriage, approaching along the road towards the fortifications, were hailed and likewise ordered to surrender, and upon their attempting to escape were fired upon. The carriage was captured, and it was found there were two men and three women in it. The two men and one of the women had been killed by the fire ; one of the remaining women seized a sabre and struck at one of the insurgents, whereupon she was killed. The other woman was captured and sent into the village Sightseeing Turkey, and well treated until the arrival of the Turks, when she was set at liberty.

As far as wre have been able to learn up to the present, those two women are the only ones that have been killed by the insurgents, and one of them, as I have just related, was shot accidentally. The Turkish authorities in Philippopolis state that there were twelve killed in all; but they have been unable to give Mr. Schuyler either the names of these women, or the names of the villages in which they were said to have been killed, and he therefore will not accept the statement until he finds further proof.

Kiani Pacha, who was sent here to inquire into the atrocities committed by the Baslii-Bazouks, told Mr. Schuyler, with the coolest assurance, that the wife and daughter of the Mudir of Avrat-alan had been killed. Mr. Schuyler found, upon investigation, that the wife of the Mudir had not been killed, and that he never had a daughter. It was said that the wife of the Mudir here in Otluk-kui had likewise been killed.

Mudir or Turkish governor

There was no Mudir, or Turkish governor, in the village at this time, so they had matters all to themselves, and nobody to interfere with them. They immediately proceeded to fortify the place, and they do not seem to have had any other plan for the insurrection than that of waiting quietly in the village, and defending it against all comers.

This seems to have been the plan adopted in the three or four villages where a rising really took place; and a more foolish one could hardly have been imagined. Instead of young men in each village forming themselves into flying bands, and traversing the country in every direction, destroying the railways, cutting the telegraphs, surprising small posts of Turkish soldiers, and avoiding contact with large bodies of troops, each of these villages having thrown off the Turkish authority in the manner above described, adopted the mad plan of defending itself separately and singly against the regular troops.

This, together with the fact that the rising only occurred in three or four- places, and not simultaneously in these, would seem to indicate that the members of the Bucharest Committee were very raw hands at organizing an insurrection, and that their organization was very imperfect, if indeed there were anything like organization at all Sightseeing Turkey.

They seem to have persuaded these three or four villages to rise, hoping that the rest of the country would follow the example, and that there would be a general insurrection as a matter of course. But the rest of the population, without leaders and without organization, remained inactive, and allowed themselves to be quietly slaughtered. There is little doubt, in my mind, that if the rising had been general, properly organized and provided with leaders, the Turks would have been obliged to abandon the whole country north of the Balkans, and withdraw to Adrianople.

Capital at Prespa and later at Ohrid

A huge part of the state – the lands between the Danube, the Black Sea and the Balkan Range – fell in Byzantine hands. What remained of Bulgaria – the Western Kingdom, with its capital at Prespa and later at Ohrid – was ruled by King Samuel (991 — 1014) and his brothers – David, Moses and Aaron. They tried to restore the territory of the state by wedging a war against Byzantium but soon David and Moses were killed, and on suspicion of betrayal Aaron was executed by Samuel. The King succeeded to liberate the north-eastern parts of the state and led his army to the south aiming at Thrace, Macedonia and the city of Thessaloniki. Once again luck betrayed the Bulgarians and after loosing several battles the eastern part of the state was ripped off by Byzantium. In July 1014 an epic battle took place in Macedonia Visit Bulgaria. The Bulgarians were defeated; 15 000 soldiers were captured and the Emperor Basil II ordered all to be blinded leaving just a single Since break of day, O mother, dear mother, faintly glowing, Upon their way, O mother, dear mother, troops are going. Horse after horse, O mother, dear mother, soldier on soldier, Swords like the sun, O mother, dear mother, shining boldly.

Taken from a folk poetry dedicated to Tsar Ivan Shishman, translated by Peter Tempest

The Second Bulgarian Kingdom: 1185 – 1396

Bulgaria under the Dynasty of the Assenids

The period of Byzantine subjugation lasted for 168 years but the Bulgarians did not submit to the oppressors. The Bulgarian lands became the boundary between Europe and the Empire. The devastating marches of the First (1096-1097) and the Second (1147) crusades ran across the Bulgarian territory. The Byzantine Empire fell in a crisis in the summer of 1185 – being attacked simultaneously by the Seljuk Turks, the Magyars, the Pechenegs and the Normans – and increased the taxation burden on the Bulgarian population which provoked mass discontent among the oppressed. The struggle against Byzantium was headed by Petar and Assen, two boyars who held the fortress of Turnovo. In the autumn of the same year the rising was proclaimed to the assembled people in the Church of St Demetrius and Petar (1185-1197) was crowned for the first tsar of the second Bulgarian kingdom, with Turnovo as his capital…

Thousand and One Columns

Cisterns and Reservoirs.—These were formerly nineteen in number, but ruins of only a few including two of the most important cisterns, the Philoxenus and the Basilica, now remain.

The Philoxenus Cistern, or The Cistern of the Thousand and One Columns (in Turkish Bin Bir JDlreck) is situated in the street opposite the tomb of SultanMahmud II. Admission 1 piastre (2d.) per head.

This cistern, one of the finest in Constantinople, dates from the time of Constantine the Great, and derives its name, according to Codinus, from the Senator Philoxenus who came to Constantinople from Borne with the Emperor; or, more probably, from the fact that it was intended for the inhabitants and strangers who lived in the vicinity, unlike the Basilica cistern, which was only for the supply of the Palace. It is 190 feet long and 166 feet wide, and its roof is supported by 212 pillars, composed of three tiers of columns, making altogether 636, and not 1001 as implied by its name. These are placed one above the other, are joined by arches, and are arranged in 15 rows. Only the upper of the three tiers is to be seen in its entirety. It is 14 feet 4 inches high. Only part of the middle tier is visible; the remainder of this and the whole of the lower tier being buried in the mud which has for centuries accumulated in this cistern. Some of the capitals, which are devoid of any sculpture, bear the letter G and other Byzantine initials and monograms and crosses which have lately been obliterated with whitewash. The cistern is now quite dry, and has long been used by Armenians who follow the occupation of silk-spinners. ‘

Bcutan Sarai

The Basilica Cistern, called Yen Bcutan Sarai (Underground Palace) by the Turks, is to the left of St. Sophia, in the court of a Turkish private house (admission 5 piastres per head). It was discovered at the beginning of the eleventh 9 century by Gyllius, having till then remained unknown owing to the houses built over it. The finder narrates how he was let down through a hole he had accidentally found in the ground, and crossed the cistern in a boat which he found there and which was used by the owner of the house above. This cistern still contains water, used by the people living in the houses above it. It is supposed to extend under St. Sophia and to communicate with the sea, but in reality reaches no farther than 80 feet to the north of St. Sophia, and is above sea- level. It was built by Constantine the Great, and enlarged by Justinian. Over it were the Institutes, Library, and part of the University founded by Constantine. It is 336 feet by 182 feet, and its vaulted roof rests on 336 pillars, 40 feet high and 12 feet apart, arranged in 12 rows.

Underground Railway from Galata to Pera

Underground Railway.—From Galata to Pera, trains every 5 minutes from sunrise to two hours after sunset. Fares either way—first class, 30 paras; second class, 20 paras.

Tramways.—Azab Kapu, Galata and Ortakeui line; Galata, Pera and Sishli line; and the Emin

Onu and Yedi Kuleh (Seven Towers) line, this latter on the Stambul side. On all lines there are first and second-class cars, but, with the exception of the open first-class cars on the Galata and Pera line, and the Emin Onu Ak Saray line, cannot be recommended. Prom Pera to Galata, first class, 1 piastre (2d.); from Pera to Sishli, 1 piastres (3d.).

Telegraph and Post Offices.—The Turkish Telegraph and the Eastern Telegraph Company’s Offices, as well as the Turkish Pera Post Office, are in the same premises, Grande Eue de Pera. Telegrams between the United Kingdom and Constantinople by land lines, are charged 7d. per word. The Head Telegraph Office is in Stambul, and the branch office in Yo’ivoda Street, Galata. The Medjidieh is only counted as worth 19 piastres in paying telegrams, and the Turkish pound is taken for 22-J- francs.

The General Turkish Post Office for the interior of Turkey is in Stambul, near the Bridge; and the International Ottoman Post Office is in Voivoda Street, Galata.

Besides the above, each of the great European Powers has its own post office, and it is mainly through these that the correspondence between Turkey and the outer world is forwarded and received guided istanbul tour, and only these can be relied on for the safe despatch and receipt of letters. The European post offices are—

The British Post Office

The British Post Office, Galata.

The French Post Office, Kue Voevoda, Galata.

The German Post Office, Rue Voevoda, Galata, opposite the French Post Office.

The Austrian Post Office, Grande Rue of Galata, Galata.

The Russian Post Office, Mumhaneh, Galata, mails to and from the United Kingdom every day.

Streets.—With two or three exceptions, the streets of Constantinople are but little better than narrow, crooked, wretchedly-paved, and dirty alleys, teeming with mangy, snarling pariah dogs and garbage, upon which these latter feed. Footpaths there are none, except along part of one or two of the principal streets; and pedestrians have to pick their way as best they can among the ceaseless throng of carriages, carts, horses, porters, pack animals, and over the above-mentioned ubiquitous pariah curs. Street accidents are, however, of rare occurrence. The principal street, where all the European shops are, is the Grande Rue de Pera,

running through the heart of Pera from near Galata Bridge to beyond the Taxim Assembly Gardens; and next in importance is the Rue Tepe Bachi, along which the Galata and Pera trams run, and where the best hotels, the British Embassy, and the Petits Champs Municipality Assembly Gardens are situated. The principal streets, and some few of the next in importance, are lit by gas, the remainder being plunged in Egyptian darkness, save when there is a moon.

Bridges.—These are two in number, the lower or Galata Bridge, and the upper bridge called Azab Kapu Bridge. Both are pontoon bridges with a draw in the middle part to allow vessels to pass in and out of the Upper Horn. Galata Bridge is the one most frequented, and is perhaps the only place in the world where such a diversity of nationalities and such variety of national costume may be seen assembled; it is here that the Bosporus, Skutari, and Princes’ Islands steamers land and embark their passengers.

Tolls.—Pedestrians 10 paras (Jd.). Horses and mounted passengers, 1 piastre (2d.). Carriages 2P piastres (5d.).

N.B.—Only Turkish money is taken, and gold pieces are never changed.

NIKOLA NEDKOVICH HOUSE

3 Tsanko Lavrenov Street

This Revival Period home was built in 1863 entirely in the style of European Classicism. It belonged to Nikola Nedkovich, a well-known merchant and public figure, born in Karlovo. The lavishly decorated facade of the house has a solemn portico supported by four pillars. The pillars are of stone and their capitals hold up semicircular arches. An elegant triangular pediment at the top is reproduced in a smaller scale over each of the three windows. Foreign researchers studying the Bulgarian National Revival architecture have likened the building to an Italian pal- atio from the time of the Renaissance. Stone steps in the portico lead to the lower floor and the large drawing-room with a carved wooden ceiling and a representation of the sun ‘shining’ in the centre. The rooms positioned symmetrically round the hayet are remarkable – they have carved wooden ceilings adorned with an interlaced design of geometrical figures and richly frescoed walls.

The rooms facing the yard, one in delicate green and the other in Pompeian red, have townscapes from various European cities. The upper floor was completed in the 80s of the 19th c. and the interior design of the rooms is characteristic of the first decades after the Liberation. Today Nedkovich House is set up as an exhibition of the ‘Urban style of life in the Revival Period’, showing the furnishing of the rich houses in Plovdiv in the 19th c. The furniture and household articles on display once belonged to the Nedkovich family bulgaria holidays.

THE MUSEUMS IN THE OLD TOWN

Several of the museums of Plovdiv are to be found on the territory of the Architectural-Historical Reserve. Here are the History Museum set out in two of the Revival houses, the Ethnographical Museum in Kuyumjioghlu House, the Town Art Gallery arranged in four separate buildings and four theme museum collections.

HISTORY MUSEUM – REVIVAL PERIOD EXHIBITION

(Dimiter Georgiadi House), 1 Tsanko Lavrenov Street

The Plovdiv History Museum comprises 4 large departments founded in different years and unified in 1993. They trace the historical development of Plovdiv and its area from the early Ottoman period (15th -17th c.) until modern time (the end of the 20th c.). ‘The Bulgarian lands in the 15th – the 19th c. and the period of National Revival’ exhibition was set up in 1954 and is laid out in the house of the rich merchant Dimiter Georgiadi. This is one of the most attractive Revival houses in the Old Town, built in 1848 by Haji Georgi Hajiiski, a master-builder from the Rhodopes. The exhibition shows the early-Ottoman (15th – 17th c.) period and the resistance the local population put up against the foreign rule. The museum emphasizes the National Revival in several rooms.

There are documents, personal possessions and valuables that have belonged to eminent public figures, who contributed to the economic and educational development of the town and to the establishment of an autonomous church. The exhibits trace the revolutionary movement and the activity of its leaders – Rakovski, Levski and Botev. The interior architecture of the magnificent house enhances the atmosphere of the museum. Especially impressive is the second floor with the strict symmetry of the oval drawing-room and the four rooms around it. Both the hayet and the rooms are decorated with original wood- carvings on the ceilings and exuberant frescoes on the walls.

District History Museum

Points of interest are The District History Museum, showing the way of life in the post-liberation period, in Paskalev House, home crafts to the end of the 19th century in the Shishmanov House, church art during the National Revival in the Cyril and Methodius church; Church of St Archangel Michael with its iconostasis of ornate woodcarving executed in 1962; the Fortress of Assen near the village of Klokotnitsa and Kenana park, 2 km west of Haskovo.

Balkantourist bureau, Hotel Aida, three stars, with 135 beds in single and double rooms and five suites, restaurant, bar.

Harmanli (pop, 20,000) lies 33 kilometres from Haskovo in a picturesque locality where the Harmanliska River flows into the Maritsa, Harmanli was founded in the 16th century. A bridge, Gurbav Most, spanning the Harmanliska River dates from that period. It is a cultural monument. The wall of a caravan-serai built in 1510 has been preserved in the centre of the town. Today the textile, ceramic and food industries are well developed.

Hotel Hebros, in the centre of Harmanli has 129 beds. The Gergana Motel, two stars, near the E-80 highway, has 16 double rooms, a restaurant, and open-air restaurant, night club and souvenir kiosk private turkey tours.

Svilengrad (population 15,170) is two kilometres from the Bulgarian-Greek border and 15 kilometres from the Turkish border. Once a Thracian settlement, it was later a roadside Roman fortress known as Burdenis. Interesting sights are Stariya Most (the Old Bridge), also known as the Mustafa Pasha Bridge, built with large blocks of stone (1529) and 295 metres long Svilena Hotel, five stars, 202 beds, restaurant, bar, taverna, coffee shop, information desk and rent-a-car service.

Another interesting place is the village of Mezek, six kilometres southwest of Svilengrad with its 4th century tomb west of Mezek rise the walls of Neutzikon, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Bulgaria, probably built in the 9-12 centuries. At the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing to lurkey there is a motel and restaurant.

HASKOVO- DIMITROVORAD – STARA ZAGORA

(61 km), 10 km along the E-85 highway is Dimitrovgrad (pop. 50,0). Dimitrovgrad was built in 1947 on the site of three villages — Rakovski, Mariino and Chernokonyovo. Over 50,000 young men and women volunteers took part in building the town. The first museum of socialist construction was opened in 1954. The Penyo Penev exhibition, named after the Bulgarian

Foet is in the house where he lived in 1956. DimitrovianDays of oetry are held annually when the Penyo Penev Prize for Literature is awarded.

Hotels: Moskva, one star, with 41 beds and 2 suites, restaurant, taverna and information desk; Panorama, in the Penyo Penev park.

Stara Zagora (pop. 134,000) lies in the folds of the Sredna Gora mountains, on the large plain of the same name, ft is the sixth largest city in Bulgaria. The Thracians founded the town of Beroe here in the 5th-6th centuries B.C. It was renamed Augusta Trayana when the Romans settled there. In the 5th century (then known as Vereya) it was destroyed by the Huns; it was rebuilt and was again destroyed by the Avars and Slavs in the 7th century. In the Middle Ages its name was Boryui and after its capture by the Ottomans was given the name of Eski Zagra, and was inhabited by both Bulgarians and Turks. The town flourished economically and with the development of education revolutionary ideas emerged. In 1875 an uprising broke out led by the shoe maker Kolyu Ganchev.