Importance of Nadir Shah's Throne

Hammer’s history sheds light on the significance of the protection of Hicaz and the diplomatic exchanges with envoys sent there. The Ottoman Empire’s decision to send gifts worth 386,402 piasters in exchange for Nadir Shah’s throne underscores its importance. Considering that one gold coin equaled fifty piasters at that time, this amount represented a substantial sum.

Return of Ottoman Gifts

Despite the valuable gifts sent by the Ottoman Empire, including the construction of the Ahmed III library, they were brought back to Istanbul following Nadir Shah’s death. However, Nadir Shah’s throne remained in Baghdad for a period before eventually reaching Istanbul in 1758. It was officially registered in the treasury book two years later, in 1760 Istanbul Private Tours Mevlevi.

Izzi Suleyman Efendi’s Account

During the time Nadir Shah’s throne was in Baghdad, Izzi Suleyman Efendi, the private historian of the palace, provided limited information about it compared to the detailed account of the gifts exchanged. Izzi emphasized the importance of the incoming gifts over the outgoing ones, as reflected in his annals.

Ottoman Envoy’s Description

The Ottoman envoy, Mustafa Nazif Efendi, described the throne as approximately 20 feet in height and 10 feet in width, situated within a six-columned Persian-style tent. He received the throne and a letter from Nadir Shah, which he conveyed to Sultan Mahmut I in Istanbul. Despite his swift journey, the throne itself arrived in Istanbul a decade later, ten years after the envoy’s visit.

Through Hammer’s history and Izzi Suleyman Efendi’s annals, we gain insight into the diplomatic intricacies surrounding the exchange of Nadir Shah’s throne and the lasting impact it had on Ottoman-Iranian relations.

Raika The Village Queen

Raika’s role as a schoolmistress in Panagurishti held great esteem and respect, making her akin to a village queen.

Unique Position

Being a schoolmistress in a rural setting like Panagurishti differed greatly from the role in urban areas like London. Raika’s intelligence, education, and beauty elevated her status, earning admiration from everyone in the village.

Lack of Suitors

Despite her qualities, Raika found herself without a suitor. The young men of the village felt intimidated by her superiority and didn’t dare to pursue her hand in marriage, leaving Raika without romantic prospects.

Turbulent Times

Raika’s peaceful life was disrupted by the outbreak of the insurrection in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At eighteen, after two years of teaching, she faced unexpected challenges as the tax collector arrived, demanding overdue taxes exacerbated by crop failures.

Financial Struggles

The sudden tax demands plunged many villagers into financial distress. Their properties were seized and sold hastily, without consideration for their future livelihoods. Some villagers were even imprisoned due to their inability to meet the tax obligations, leading to widespread misery and discontent Tour Packages Bulgaria.

Raika’s story reflects the upheaval faced by rural communities during times of crisis. Despite her esteemed position, she was not immune to the economic hardships brought on by external conflicts and oppressive taxation. Her resilience in navigating these challenges serves as a testament to the strength of character found in individuals like her, striving to persevere amidst adversity.

Struggling with Impartiality

My resolve to maintain impartiality in my investigation has swiftly evaporated, giving way to a rising tide of emotion. The horrors I’ve encountered defy judicial detachment. Some truths, upon realization, incite an angry surge of blood and provoke visceral reactions. Certain realities are too grotesque for calm scrutiny, evoking a visceral recoil and a refusal of the mind to dwell on them. These are the realities I’ve encountered in my investigation.

Overwhelmed by Horrors

My initial inquiries have already revealed more than enough to draw conclusions. The forthcoming statistical data from Mr. Baring and Mr. Schuyler will likely suffice. The admitted atrocities, acknowledged even by those sympathetic to the Turks and the Turks themselves, paint a grim picture. The burning of 60 or 70 villages, the slaughter of some 15,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, are staggering figures. The gruesome details of unspeakable acts perpetrated against women and defenseless children, relayed not just by Bulgarians but also by various consuls, German officials, Greeks, Armenians, priests, missionaries, and even Turks, render further investigation redundant Turkey Sightseeing.

Accepting the Grim Reality

Confronted with such widespread and corroborated horror, I find it unnecessary to delve deeper. The enormity and unanimity of the accounts leave little room for doubt or skepticism. The evidence is overwhelming, and the urgency to address these atrocities becomes paramount. Further investigation would only serve to exacerbate the anguish without significantly altering the grim reality that demands immediate attention and action.

Soviet Influence Across Sectors

Cultural and Educational Alignment

Culture and education in Bulgaria have undergone Sovietization. Hundreds of Russian books have been translated into Bulgarian and widely published. The educational system closely follows the Soviet model. The Bulgarian education statute of July 1959 is essentially a copy of the Soviet law from December 1958. Its primary aim, as reported by Party Secretary Todor Zhivkov, is to indoctrinate future generations, foster animosity towards opponents of Communist ideals, and emphasize the teaching of Marxism-Leninism.

Socio-Economic System Mirrors the USSR

Bulgaria’s social and economic structure mirrors that of the USSR. Industry is entirely nationalized and under Communist state administration. Both domestic and foreign trade are state-controlled, and all banking and credit institutions are state-owned. Agricultural land and the economy have been collectivized using forceful methods similar to those employed in Soviet Russia in the early 1930s. Bulgaria’s economic ties with the USSR are substantial, with production aligned to meet Soviet demands. The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON) signals a gradual economic integration of the entire Soviet bloc Guided Istanbul Tours.

Recent Economic Challenges and Opposition

Exploitation has increased in recent years, particularly with the proclamation of the “big leap forward” in October 1958, seemingly instructed by Moscow. This disrupted the economic system, resulting in reduced production of consumer goods and food, exacerbating the people’s misery. The “big leap forward” has stirred opposition across society, leading to passive resistance and sabotage, countered by relentless police terror. Tens of thousands are now in prisons and concentration camps in Bulgaria.

Continuous Soviet Intervention

The Sovietization of Bulgaria spans political, legal, administrative, military, cultural, social, and economic domains. This persistent intervention violates the Peace Treaty of February 10, 1947, and the United Nations Charter. The current Bulgarian government was imposed by the Soviet Army and has never faced free elections or public ratification. Consequently, it does not truly represent the will of the Bulgarian people and lacks independence, serving as a tool of Moscow.

Soviet Influence Across Sectors

Cultural and Educational Alignment

Culture and education in Bulgaria have undergone Sovietization. Hundreds of Russian books have been translated into Bulgarian and widely published. The educational system closely follows the Soviet model. The Bulgarian education statute of July 1959 is essentially a copy of the Soviet law from December 1958. Its primary aim, as reported by Party Secretary Todor Zhivkov, is to indoctrinate future generations, foster animosity towards opponents of Communist ideals, and emphasize the teaching of Marxism-Leninism.

Socio-Economic System Mirrors the USSR

Bulgaria’s social and economic structure mirrors that of the USSR. Industry is entirely nationalized and under Communist state administration. Both domestic and foreign trade are state-controlled, and all banking and credit institutions are state-owned. Agricultural land and the economy have been collectivized using forceful methods similar to those employed in Soviet Russia in the early 1930s. Bulgaria’s economic ties with the USSR are substantial, with production aligned to meet Soviet demands. The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON) signals a gradual economic integration of the entire Soviet bloc Guided Istanbul Tours.

Recent Economic Challenges and Opposition

Exploitation has increased in recent years, particularly with the proclamation of the “big leap forward” in October 1958, seemingly instructed by Moscow. This disrupted the economic system, resulting in reduced production of consumer goods and food, exacerbating the people’s misery. The “big leap forward” has stirred opposition across society, leading to passive resistance and sabotage, countered by relentless police terror. Tens of thousands are now in prisons and concentration camps in Bulgaria.

Continuous Soviet Intervention

The Sovietization of Bulgaria spans political, legal, administrative, military, cultural, social, and economic domains. This persistent intervention violates the Peace Treaty of February 10, 1947, and the United Nations Charter. The current Bulgarian government was imposed by the Soviet Army and has never faced free elections or public ratification. Consequently, it does not truly represent the will of the Bulgarian people and lacks independence, serving as a tool of Moscow.

The Fall of Communism in Bulgaria November 10 1989

The Palace Coup of November 10, 1989

Assisted by the Soviet Embassy, the leadership of the Bulgarian Communist Party orchestrated significant changes within their ranks. On November 10, 1989, a party plenum released Todor Zhivkov from his position as General Secretary of the Central Committee. Zhivkov, feeling aged and weakened, opted not to engage in another strenuous battle for power.

Quote: “Look at me – I march on. Not with the swing and shiver of a victory march Not along a route lined solemnly, Not under a rain of flowers.”

Excerpt from ‘In Spite of Everything’ by Bogomil Rainov (b. 1919), translated by Roy MacGregor-Hastie Subtitle 2: The Years of Democracy: 1990 and Beyond City Tours Istanbul.

Questioning 45 Years of Rule

The events of November 10, 1989, marked a “palace coup” orchestrated by the Communist Party leadership to retain control over state governance. This change was heavily influenced by the Soviet Union. Todor Zhivkov was replaced as the party leader and President of the State Council by Petar Mladenov, a Soviet-educated figure who had served as Foreign Minister and been a long-standing member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP). In January 1990, Andrei Loukanov, another Soviet-trained individual with a history as a minister and representative of the communist elite, assumed the position of Prime Minister. Both leaders emphasized that the Bulgarian “restructuring,” following the example of the Soviet “perestroika,” should focus on transforming and improving the existing system, and the process should be led by the Communist Party.

November 10, 1989, witnessed a significant shift in Bulgaria’s political landscape, as the Communist Party leadership executed a “palace coup,” paving the way for changes and opening the door to a new era of democracy.

Turkish Villagers Pillage and Seize Livestock in Bulgarian Towns

A Climate of Fear and Exploitation

This article delves into the distressing reality faced by Bulgarian villagers, focusing on the rampant pillaging and livestock seizures perpetrated by Turkish neighbors. The pervasive climate of fear, economic exploitation, and the lack of authority figures to curb these offenses paints a bleak picture of rural life in Bulgaria.

Cattle Seizures and Denial of Justice

The first case study takes us to Perustitsa, where survivors of massacres and house burnings find themselves victims once again. The Turks from the neighboring village of Ustuna seize the remaining cattle, refusing to restore them even in the face of appeals for justice. The villagers’ pleas go unheard, showcasing the impunity with which such acts are committed.

The Helpless Mudir and Stolen Horses

The article shifts to Avrat-Alan, where Turkish neighbors unabashedly seize six horses from fields merely a mile away. Despite the injustice, the Mudir of Avrat-Alan claims powerlessness, citing the lack of authority over the offending Turks. The narrative highlights the pervasive fear among local authorities and their inability to protect villagers from such rampant aggression Bulgaria Tour.

A Brave Attempt Met with Violence

At Otluk-kui, a villager’s attempt to reclaim his cattle ends in a fresh sabre cut to his head. Armed with an order from the Mudir, his endeavor to retrieve his livestock exposes the violent reprisals faced by those who dare challenge the Turkish pillagers. This incident underscores the physical risks associated with seeking justice.

Urgent Need for Intervention and Protection

The article concludes with a stark portrayal of the unchecked aggression faced by Bulgarian villagers at the hands of Turkish neighbors. It calls for urgent intervention, emphasizing the need for a robust mechanism to ensure justice, protect livestock, and empower local authorities to curb these offenses. The prevailing climate of fear and economic exploitation must be addressed to safeguard the well-being and livelihoods of Bulgarian villagers.

A Plea for Empathy and Global Awareness

In a final reflection, the article urges global awareness and empathy for the plight of Bulgarian villagers. It calls on international bodies, humanitarian organizations, and concerned individuals to unite in condemning these acts of aggression, amplifying the voices of the oppressed, and working towards a future where rural communities can thrive without fear of pillaging and exploitation.

Unveiling Horrors

The Repulsive Realities of Otluk-kui’s Mudir

In the aftermath of the atrocities in Otluk-kui, a town plagued by unspeakable horrors, the figure of the Mudir emerges as a symbol of repulsion and brutality, leaving an indelible mark on the narrative of suffering.

Encountering the Brute The Sinister Presence of the Mudir

The morning following our arrival, the ominous presence of the Mudir cast a dark shadow over Otluk-kui. This Mudir, the same individual responsible for the horrifying maltreatment of a young schoolmistress, presented himself as a figure of unparalleled repulsiveness and filth. The sheer brutality witnessed in his actions marked him as one of the most repulsive brutes ever encountered.

Even the seasoned observer, Mr. Schuyler, could not hide his disdain. A brief exchange of words revealed a complete absence of compliments, prompting Mr. Schuyler to retreat to his room, leaving the Mudir to be entertained—or rather, tolerated—by the remaining occupants. Little did we know that the encounter with the Mudir was far from over, taking a peculiar and extraordinary turn Travel Bulgaria.

A Protracted Encounter Unveiling the Extraordinary Interview

What transpired during the extended interview with the Mudir bordered on the extraordinary, shedding light on the depth of his brutality and the extent of his repulsiveness. While Mr. Schuyler may have retreated physically, his investigation into the Mudir’s actions persisted, unraveling a narrative of horror that would shock even the most callous observers.

The details of this extraordinary interview, though not explicitly outlined, hinted at a continued exploration of the Mudir’s involvement in the atrocities that befell Otluk-kui. Mr. Schuyler, driven by a relentless pursuit of truth and justice, dug deeper into the sinister actions of this repulsive figure. The revelations, as they unfolded, served to expose not only the individual acts of brutality but also the systemic issues that allowed such repulsive conduct to persist.

As we navigate the unsettling truths uncovered in this extraordinary interview, the Mudir emerges not just as an individual brute but as a representation of the broader horrors inflicted upon Otluk-kui. The encounter with this repulsive figure becomes a pivotal moment in the ongoing quest for accountability, as the spotlight turns toward the complicity and responsibility of those in positions of authority. The town’s wounds, inflicted by both external invaders and internal perpetrators, remain open, and the Mudir stands as a chilling embodiment of the darkness that enveloped Otluk-kui during those harrowing days.

Parts of Women’s apparel

There was not a roof left, not a whole wall standing; all was a mass of ruins, from which arose, as we listened, a low plaintive wail, like the “ keening ” of the Irish over their dead, that filled the little valley and gave it voice.

We had the explanation of this curious sound when we afterwards descended into the village. We looked again at the heap of skulls and skeletons before us, and we observed that they were all small, and that the articles of clothing, intermingled with them and lying about, were all parts of women’s apparel.

These, then, were all women and girls. From my saddle I counted about a hundred skulls, not including those that were hidden beneath the others in the ghastly heap, nor those that were scattered far and wide through the fields. The skulls were nearly all separated from the rest of the bones, the skeletons were nearly all headless Guided Istanbul Tours.

Monotonous Chant

These women had all been beheaded. We descended into the town. Within the shattered walls of the first house we came to was a woman sitting on a heap of rubbish, rocking herself to and for, wailing a kind of monotonous chant, half sung, half sobbed, that was not without a wild discordant melody. In her lap she held a babe, and another child sat beside her patiently and silently, and looked at us as we passed with wondering eyes.

She paid no attention to us; but we bent our ear to hear what she was saying, and our interpreter said it was as follows :— “ My home, my home, my poor home, nay sweet home; my husband, my husband, my poor husband, my dear husband ; my home, my sweet home’ and so on, repeating the same words over and over again a thousand times. In the next house were two, engaged in the same way; one old, the other young, repeating words nearly identical, “ I had a home, and now I have none ; I had a husband, and now I am a widow; I had a son, and now I have none ; I had five children, and now I have one,” while rocking themselves to and fro, beating their heads and wringing their hands.

Coldly and concisely noted

They carried little babes about the streets on the points of their bayonets, with the poor little heads and arms drooping around the barrels of their guns, and the blood streaming down over their hands. They cut off the heads of children, and compelled other children to carry the still bleeding heads about in their arms.

I would have the reader remember that I am relating facts that have been coldly and concisely noted down in my presence by Mr. Schuyler ; facts that will appear in his report; facts that were told him by people who wept and moaned and wrung their hands, and fairly tore their hair at the bare remembrance of the scenes they were relating.

Hundreds of women came to us recounting what they had seen and what they had suffered. Not a woman in the place seemed to have escaped outrage. They all confessed it openly. In other places where these things occurred, the women have shown a hesitation to speak. In some cases they denied they had been outraged, and we afterwards learned they confessed to others that they had been Turkey Sightseeing.

At Avrat-Alan a deputation of ladies called upon Mr. Schuyler to make their complaints, and he was somewhat astonished to find they had very little to say. Upon going away, however, they left him a letter, signed by them all, saying that scarcely a woman in the place had escaped outrage. They could not bring themselves to tell him viva voce; but thinking that as he was investigating here in an official capacity he ought to know, they had decided to write to him. Here, however, they did not hesitate to speak out.

Outrages were committed so publicly, so generally, that they feel it would be useless to try to hide their shame, and they avow it openly. These acts were committed not only in the houses, but in the streets, in the yards, in the courts, for the Turks have not even the decency which may accompany vice. They have not even the modesty of vileness; they have not even the shame of nature.

After Ivailo was dethroned

The decline

After Ivailo was dethroned and met his death the boyars put on the throne Georgi Terter (1280— 1293) – the first of the Terterid dynasty which ruled until 1323. Those were decades of territorial fragmentation and hegemony of Tatar agents in the government of the state. The Byzantine Empire gradually grew weaker and became economically dependent on the Italian republics Venice and Genoa.

Meanwhile, Serbia marked the highest point in its medieval development and under the reign of Stefan Doushan many Bulgarian and Byzantine lands fell in its confines. Of all Terterids only Todor Svetoslav (1300-1321) was able for a time to put an end to the intestine struggles and achieve a settlement with the Tatar Khans. But the splitting among the boyars, in one hand, and among the Balkan peoples, in another, continued…

Dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom

The third dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the Shishmanids, ruled from 1323 to 1393. Its founder, King Michail Shishman (1323- 1330), waged wars against Serbia and Byzantium with the aim to recover Macedonia and Thrace – but lost the battle of Velbuzhd against the Serbs in 1330 and died of his wounds. The next year Ivan Alexander (1331-1371) came to the throne and succeeded to achieve a relative stability both of the state and of its foreign relations Tours Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the processes of feudal separation were irreversible and different independent estates gradually took shape in the region of Dobmdja under the rule of the brothers Balik, Todor and Dobrotitsa, in the Rhodopes and the Aegean, in Macedonia…

In 1355 king Ivan Alexander chose the Vidin region as his kingdom and entrusted its government to his first son, Ivan Sratsimir. The Turnovo region was given the same statute and was entrusted to the second son, Ivan Shishman (1371-1396). During the Shishmanid dynasty Bulgaria saw a renewal of the splendid traditions of Byzantine culture, and literature, painting and sculpture flourished. But, already dismembered, the kingdom could not long withstand the rising Ottoman Empire…

After Ivailo was dethroned

The decline

After Ivailo was dethroned and met his death the boyars put on the throne Georgi Terter (1280— 1293) – the first of the Terterid dynasty which ruled until 1323. Those were decades of territorial fragmentation and hegemony of Tatar agents in the government of the state. The Byzantine Empire gradually grew weaker and became economically dependent on the Italian republics Venice and Genoa.

Meanwhile, Serbia marked the highest point in its medieval development and under the reign of Stefan Doushan many Bulgarian and Byzantine lands fell in its confines. Of all Terterids only Todor Svetoslav (1300-1321) was able for a time to put an end to the intestine struggles and achieve a settlement with the Tatar Khans. But the splitting among the boyars, in one hand, and among the Balkan peoples, in another, continued…

Dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom

The third dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the Shishmanids, ruled from 1323 to 1393. Its founder, King Michail Shishman (1323- 1330), waged wars against Serbia and Byzantium with the aim to recover Macedonia and Thrace – but lost the battle of Velbuzhd against the Serbs in 1330 and died of his wounds. The next year Ivan Alexander (1331-1371) came to the throne and succeeded to achieve a relative stability both of the state and of its foreign relations Tours Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the processes of feudal separation were irreversible and different independent estates gradually took shape in the region of Dobmdja under the rule of the brothers Balik, Todor and Dobrotitsa, in the Rhodopes and the Aegean, in Macedonia…

In 1355 king Ivan Alexander chose the Vidin region as his kingdom and entrusted its government to his first son, Ivan Sratsimir. The Turnovo region was given the same statute and was entrusted to the second son, Ivan Shishman (1371-1396). During the Shishmanid dynasty Bulgaria saw a renewal of the splendid traditions of Byzantine culture, and literature, painting and sculpture flourished. But, already dismembered, the kingdom could not long withstand the rising Ottoman Empire…

Byzantine capital in the fifth century

Latin inscriptions on the walls are very uncommon, and this one must have been intended for the benefit of the numerous foreigners not conversant with Greek, who were attracted to the Byzantine capital in the fifth century. The outer gateway is supported on four marble pillars, one of which is ornamented with a carved cross and another with the letter B on its black stone capital. Another cross is carved on either side of the gateway, and on the tower at the right entrance are two inscriptions.

That portion of the walls lying between this and Top Kapu, the next gate, is in a far better state of preservation than any of the other portions ; the fourth inner tower beyond Yen! Kapu bears a Greek inscription.

Top Kapu (Cannon Gate) was formerly the St. Romanus Gate, so called after the church of St Romanus once in its vicinity. This gate is celebrated as being the one on which Muhammad II. directed the fire of his artillery, and especially that of a monster cannon cast for him by the Hungarian Orban, and conveyed from Adrianople by the united efforts of fifty pairs of oxen and two thousand men to the battery on the heights of Maltepeh, opposite the walls. This is also the spot where the last Byzantine emperor fell in the defence of the city. The walls between Top Kapu and Edirneh Kapu present a more dilapidated appearance than at any other point. The stream flowing along the valley, which here intersects the road leading into the heart of the city, is the lycus, from which, by means of aqueducts, the moat was formerly filled.

Adrianople Gate

Here travellers can, if they desire, enter Top Kapu Gate, and drive inside the city along the walls to the Adrianople Gate. Within the line of walls is Chingheneh Mahalleh, the Gipsy quarter, where the appearance of strangers is the signal for a general gathering of the female inhabitants, and a performance by them of a curious but disgusting series of posturings called ‘the belly dance in expectation of the bestowal of small coin.

Edirneh Kapu (Adrianople Gate), the next after Top Kapu, is the Byzantine Folyandron or Myriandron, and was also called the Middle Gate, from its giving access to the middle of the city. This is the gate through which Muhammad II. entered the conquered city, and through which each succeeding Sultan enters the city on his way to the palace after the ceremony of being girded with the sword of Osman at Ayub Mosque.

The Adrianople Gate and the walls in its immediate vicinity suffered more than any other part of these ancient fortifications in the earthquake of 1894; the gateway was cracked from top to bottom, and rjxfuced to such a ruinous condition that the gates had to be closed for a long time till it was restored; and they have only recently been opened again.

BYZANTINE CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES CONVERTED INTO MOSQUES

St. Sophia is open every day and can be visited at any time; in Ramazan, only in the forenoon. Entrance by the north porch. Admission (paid when entering) 5 piastres per head. The galleries are closed to the public.

St. Sophia, called Ayiah Sofia by the Turks, was originally a basilica with a wooden roof, and was first built by Constantine the Great in 326 A.D. ; it was named by him the Church of St. Sophia (Holy Wisdom), but either because the original edifice was found to be too small, or because it was still unfinished, it was rebuilt of wood in 358 A.D. by the son and successor of Constantine, and consecrated and inaugurated with great pomp by Eudoxius the Arian, then Bishop of Constantinople, on the 15th of February 360 A.D. Forty-four years later, on the 20th June 404 A.D., in the reign of the Emperor Arcadius, the part of the building containing the altar and pulpit, together with the roof, was destroyed by fire during the riots caused by the unjust exile of St. John Chrysostom. The church was restored by Theodosius II., and a vaulted roof was added under the superintendence of Kufinus Magister; but it was again destroyed by fire in 532 in the reign of Justinian, during the horrible riot called the Nika riot, from the watchword used by those taking part in it. Justinian, then at the summit of his power and glory, resolved to rebuild the church in such a manner as to make it eclipse all former attempts in magnificence, grandeur, and size.

Anthemius of Tralles

For this purpose he ordered the best materials and the best workmen to be got together from all parts of his empire, and the new building was commenced forty days after the destruction of the old one, and was completed in five years, ten months and two days by the architects Anthemius of Tralles (Aidin), Isidorus of Miletus, and Ignatius Magister. The dedicatory and inaugural ceremony took place on the 25th December 537 A.D. Twenty years later, the eastern half-dome and the main dome fell in, crushing the altar and pulpits to pieces in their fall. Justinian had the church restored again by the architect Isidorus the younger, a nephew of Isidorus Magister, and the second inauguration took place on the 24th December 562 A.D.; but the restoration caused the edifice to lose much of its former airiness private istanbul tour, its increased solidity having entailed a corresponding amount of bulkiness. It is said that in the re-erection of St. Sophia a hundred architects were employed, each having a hundred workmen under him.

Of these, five thousand worked on the right side, and five thousand on the left side of the building, each of the two sets vying with the other as to which should be first to complete its task, and encouraged by the Emperor, who, turning superstition to account to stimulate the efforts of the workmen, caused it to be known that the plan of the church had been divulged to him in a dream by an angel; and that visions disclosed to him whence to procure the costly materials and art treasures for the building and decoration of the church; while the solution of any architectural difficulties was also ascribed to the agency of the angels. In a word, superstition was the prime factor in the rebuilding of St. Sophia, and clings to the building down to the present day, as is evinced by the numerous traditions handed down ; a favourite one being that this whilom church is haunted every Easter Eve by a chorus of angels, whose chanting is audible to those of the pious who may happen to be in the building at the time; and not only Greeks, but Muhammadans also, are to be found who aver that they themselves have heard the angelic chorus perform!

The cost of rebuilding St. Sophia is estimated to have amounted to what would be equivalent to a million sterling, an immense sum in those days, and proved such a drain upon the imperial exchequer that, according to Procopius, to meet the expense of construction, Justinian had to stop the salaries of all government officials, and even those of masters of public schools, as well as the pay of his troops, and divert the money thus obtained to the further-ance of his pet scheme.

Along Slaveykov Street

Along Slaveykov Street there are several Revival houses connected with Petko R. Slaveykov’s stay in Plovdiv in 1881 – 1883, when Plovdiv was the capital Eastern Ru- malia. He lived in the asymmetrical Revival house of Bedros Basmajyan, now housing the Home of the Teacher and bearing the name of the great public figure, poet and writer. Close by is the so-called Slaveyk- ov School, established in the distinguished- looking house of Georgi Panchev, where Petko Slaveykov taught. Another place is Slaveykov Cafe or Georgi Moraliyata’s Tavern frequented by the elderly teacher for his morning coffee. At the corner of Kiril Nektariev and Architect Hristo Peev Streets there stands an asymmetrical house from the end of the 18th c. the home for many years of the renowned artist Georgi Dan- chov Zografina.

He was a revolutionary, an associate of Vasil Levski’s, an exile in Anatolia and a volunteer in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War. The house has been recently reconstructed by the Chamber of Crafts in Koblents – Germany and now houses a vocational school. At the upper end of Dr. St. Chomakov Street is the home of the first mayor of Plovdiv after the Liberation, Atanas Samokovets bulgaria private tours, a prominent public and political figure, brother of the Revival artist Stanislav Dospevski.

Artin Gidikov

The corner of Artin Gidikov and 4th January Streets is occupied by the entirely renovated large symmetrical house of Artin Gidikov, an Armenian social figure and benefactor to Armenians and Bulgarians alike. On Saborna Sreet opposite the imposing building of the Girls’ Secondary School there is a memorial plaque reading that the Russian Consulate lay on this site before the Liberation. It was headed in 1957 – 1877 by the Revival figure and man of letters Naiden Gerov and on several occasions visited by Vasil Levski. A very small section of the historic consulate has survived to our time.

One of the most remarkable historic buildings in the Old Town is the Yellow School, called thus because of the colour of its walls. Actually this is the first Bulgarian secondary school to be opened in Plovdiv in 1868, a successor to the well-established diocesan SS. Cyril and Methodius School. The solid building was designed and erected by the well-known Bratsigovo master-builder Todor Dimov. The school is two-storey with an elevated ground floor and sparingly decorated but dignified facades.

On the corner of the building on Tsar Ivaylo and T.Samodumov Streets stand the well-preserved inscriptions in Bulgarian and Osmanli Turkish engraved on a commemorative tablet stating that ‘this public secondary school’ was built in 1868 by the good will of Sultan Abdul Azzis Khan. The yellow school or the SS. Cyril and Methodius First Bulgarian Secondary School is unique in Bulgaria for being still used as an educational establishment. It houses the folklore department of the Music Academy in Plovdiv.

THE BULGARIAN BLACK SEA

The Black Sea is a half-enclosed kidney-shaped sea linked with the Mediterranean by the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles.

It is bounded on the west by the Balkan Peninsula, on the north and east by the Russian plain and the Caucasus and on the south by the coast of Asia Minor in Turkey. It has low salinity and a high transparency — up to 16-20 m at an average depth of 1,690 m. The temperature of the water in summer averages 23° C.

The Bulgarian coastline (378 km) is less indented than the eastern and southern parts, but is very picturesque. The woody, gentle slopes of the Balkan and Strandja Mountains are covered with vineyards, orchards, trees and shrubs, and are known as the Bulgarian Riviera. Along the entire coast is an almost unbroken strip of fine sand and the sea is clean and shallow sightseeing turkey. Holiday resorts range from old and romantic fishermen’s settlements to the most modern complexes — all with lush greenery, fine sand and clear sea.

Nesebar

SHABLA – KAVARNA – BALCHIK – ALBENA – GOLDEN SANDS – DROUZHBA – VARNA (109 km)

Dourankoulak is the first Bulgarian village associated with the peasant revolt of May 1900. East of the village is Dourankoulak lake abounding in fish The large island in the lake has remains from various historical periods from the Stone Age to the 9th-11th century. Between the village and the beach is the Cosmos camp site for 500 tourists. There is a restaurant at the camp site.

South of Dourankoulak and 24 kilometres from the border is the town of Shabla (pop. 5,000). There was a Thracian settlement here in the 6th-5th century B.C. and it was a seaport in Roman times. The people of Shabla took an active part in the 1900 peasant revolt. About five kilometres east of the town is the Shabla Touzla, a tiny lake separated from the sea by a strip of sand. Its radioactive mud has curative properties. The Dobroudja camp site has a restaurant and a shop.

A road forks from Shabla leading to the sea. After about six kilometres it turns south along the coast to the village of Tyuelenovo, near which are several caves cut into the rocks by the sea and several colonies of seals have taken refuge here. Near the village of Kamen Bryag is the picturesque area of Yal] at a with beautiful rocks and caves. There is an ancient fortress and other interesting architectural and natural places.

Republika Square

There are also various other museums in Pleven to be seen. Hotels: Pleven, 2 Republika Square, three stars, 12 floors, 9 suites, 333 beds (tel. 2-00-62), restaurant, day bar and night club, information bureau, rent-a-car office. Rostovna Don, 2

S.Alexiev St., two stars, 12 floors, 3 suites, 11 single and 95

double rooms, restaurant, bar, cafe, information office, rent’ a-car office tel. (2-70 95). Kailuka, 2 stars, 3 floors 156 beds, 6 suites, restaurant, bar, information office, rent-a-car office (phone 2-55-50).

The Kailuka camp site — 20 bungalows.

Fhe Balkantourist bureau is on 3 Buckstone St., tel. 41-19.

Car-repair shop: 2, Industrialna St., tel. 37-61.

Union of Bulgarian Motorists: 6a Radetski St., tel. 37-93

From Pleven take the main road E-83 and continue east towards Byala (pop. 10,922). The town is mentioned in 17th century documents. In 1907 one of the first museums in the country dedicated to the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation 1877-1878 was founded here in the building which held the headquarters of the Russian Army in 1877. The Russian nurse Baroness Yulia Vreyska is buried in the museum yard. Byala’s most important sight is the bridge over the River Yantra, built 1865-1867 on orders by Rousse vali Midhad Pasha. The bridge is 276 m long, 9 m wide and has 14 arches with relief figures.

Danubian port of Rousse

52 km along the E-85 main road is the Danubian port of Rousse (pop, 178,000 situated to the east of the mouth of the Roussenski Lorn river, opposite the Romanian town of Gyurvevo (Ghiurghiu). This is Bulgaria’s fourth largest town sofia daily tours, In Roman times a garrison was stationed here and the fortress was called Sexaginti (port of 60 ships). During the barbarian invasions in the 6th-7th centuries the fortress was destroyed and the population withdrew 26 km to the south of the Danube where the mediaeval fortress town of Cherven was built, resembling Tsarevets in Veliko Turnovo.

After the Ottoman invasion it was destroyed and a new fortress called Rouschouk here was built. 7 he town could be entered through five stone gates with iron doors — the Kyuntoukapou gate still exists. In 1864 Rouschouk became the centre of the Danubian province which included Nish, Sofia and Vidin. It had broad paved streets with curbed pavements and street lights delivered from Vienna; an old people’s house, a hospital, a post office, two large western style hotels were also built which are still to be seen. The first railway line in Bulgaria, Rouschouk-Vama, was built in 1866. Rouschouk became one of the great revolutionary centres and a link between revolutionaries in Bulgaria and emigrants in Romania. Many fighters for national independence are associated with the town.

Russian liberators entered the town on February 20, 1878. In the first years following liberation, Rousse had the highest population in Bulgaria, and had more factories, banks and consulates than Sofia, Today the town is one of the largest industrial centres in the country with shipyards and oil refineries.