travelingbalkan

[travelingbalkan]

Invocation and Prayer

The religious leader, Nakib el §erif Efendi, commenced the ceremony by kissing the Sultan’s skirts and offering his prayer.

Oath and Allegiance

Kaymakam Pasha, the Admiral, and the Chief of the corps of halberdiers approached with the roll, standing to the right of the Sultan. The Sheikhulislam followed, taking his oath of allegiance, praying, and then joining the religious leader.

Ceremonial Gestures

Kaymakam Pasha, adorned in ceremonial attire, stooped and kissed the Sultan’s skirts, receiving applause. Upon the Sultan’s request for a repetition of the applause, it was granted. The Admiral, also applauded twice, stood beside Kaymakam Pasha and introduced forthcoming officials Istanbul Fun Tours.

Announcement of Accession

Following the ceremonies, the Chief Town-crier Agha was tasked with announcing the Imperial Accession to the throne from the four major mosques: Ayasofya, §ehzade, Süleymaniye, and Sultanahmet.

Ceremonial Protocol

During Sultan Mustafa Khan’s reign, officials took oaths in ceremonial attire, mirroring tradition. However, this time, the ceremony unfolded differently.

Rituals for the Departed Sultan

The late Sultan Abdulhamit I was taken from the Harem gate for ritual ablution performed by the Master Yazici under a baldachin. Upon the purse-bearer’s notification of protocol requirements, permission was granted for the necessary ceremonies. The Sheikhulislam, Kaymakam Pasha, and the Admiral paid their respects to the departed Sultan before departing themselves.

This account underscores the solemn rituals and ceremonial protocols observed during the transition of power and the mourning rites for the deceased Sultan.

#Invocation and Prayer

[travelingbalkan]

The Ill-Fated Rebellion

The fateful day of May 1st arrived, marking the planned uprising, yet Servia had not declared war as anticipated, and rumors of betrayal loomed over the insurgents. Despite these setbacks, they resolved to proceed, deeming it too late to retreat or delay. Armed and resolute, they assembled and marched to the church, seeking the blessing of two priests, including Baikal’s father, before commencing their rebellion.

Priestly Blessing

Although several priests fell victim to the massacres, their involvement in the insurrection was limited to offering blessings to the insurgents. The priests, despite the risks, bestowed their blessings upon the rebels, symbolizing the alliance between the church and the uprising.

Raika’s Reluctant Role

The insurgents, recognizing Raika’s pivotal role as the flag’s creator, demanded her participation in the procession. Despite her refusal, they compelled her to carry the flag on horseback, leading the defiant march through the village streets. With shouts and songs reminiscent of French revolutionary fervor, they declared war against Ottoman rule Bulgaria Tours.

Defensive Strategy

With no Turkish governor present, the insurgents seized control of the village, fortifying their position and preparing to defend against any opposition. However, their strategy of isolated defense proved fatally flawed. Instead of coordinated guerrilla tactics, they opted for individual village defense, exposing themselves to the full force of the Ottoman army.

Flawed Tactics

In hindsight, the insurgents’ decision to defend each village separately proved disastrous. Rather than employing guerrilla warfare tactics, such as disrupting infrastructure and avoiding direct conflict with large Turkish forces, they isolated themselves, making easy targets for the Ottoman troops.

The ill-fated rebellion, marked by misguided strategy and dashed hopes, underscores the complexities and challenges faced by the Bulgarian insurgents. Despite their courage and determination, their lack of coordination and strategic foresight ultimately led to their downfall, highlighting the brutal realities of rebellion against an entrenched oppressor.

#The Ill-Fated Rebellion

[travelingbalkan]

Unsubstantiated Claims and Reckless Accusations

Lack of Evidence

The assertion that atrocities were committed by both Bulgarians and Turks lacks credible evidence. Reports from various consuls in the region, including Turkish authorities themselves, fail to substantiate claims of widespread Bulgarian brutality. Turkish officials concede that the majority of Turkish casualties occurred in battle, with minimal evidence of civilian casualties. Even purported instances of Turkish women and children killed or harmed lack verification upon investigation. For instance, Kiani Pacha’s claim regarding the death of the Mudir’s wife and daughter was debunked by Mr. Schuyler’s inquiries, revealing the absence of evidence to support such allegations. Lord Derby’s sweeping assertion of Bulgarian barbarity appears baseless and irresponsible, particularly amid accusations leveled at reputable newspapers for allegedly spreading unfounded rumors Guided Turkey Tours .

Justification for Uprising

Critics argue that Bulgarians had no justification for their uprising and must bear the consequences. However, the manifesto released by the new government following the deposition of the previous Sultan offers a compelling rebuttal. It outlines the systemic misrule and oppression that pushed the Bulgarians to their breaking point. The rampant extortion and mismanagement of the government had plunged the peasantry into unimaginable misery, rendering their existence unsustainable without change. The revolution in Constantinople was a testament to the widespread discontent fueled by years of tyranny. Yet, instead of acknowledging these grievances, Midhat Pacha and his cohorts persist in persecuting the very people who acted out of necessity. The Bulgarians’ plight epitomizes a long-standing struggle against oppression and exploitation, a fight that any people, faced with similar circumstances, would be compelled to undertake.

Solidarity with the Weak

Rather than condemning the Bulgarians, we should empathize with their plight and recognize their just cause. No populace should endure the relentless exactions, extortion, and tyranny inflicted upon the Bulgarians for centuries. If such injustices were imposed elsewhere, the response would undoubtedly be one of unified resistance. It is imperative that we stand in solidarity with the oppressed, rejecting attempts to vilify them for seeking freedom and justice. In a world where the powerful often exploit the weak, it is our moral obligation to champion the cause of those who are unjustly oppressed.

#Unsubstantiated Claims and Reckless Accusations

[travelingbalkan]

Unsubstantiated Claims and Reckless Accusations

Lack of Evidence

The assertion that atrocities were committed by both Bulgarians and Turks lacks credible evidence. Reports from various consuls in the region, including Turkish authorities themselves, fail to substantiate claims of widespread Bulgarian brutality. Turkish officials concede that the majority of Turkish casualties occurred in battle, with minimal evidence of civilian casualties. Even purported instances of Turkish women and children killed or harmed lack verification upon investigation. For instance, Kiani Pacha’s claim regarding the death of the Mudir’s wife and daughter was debunked by Mr. Schuyler’s inquiries, revealing the absence of evidence to support such allegations. Lord Derby’s sweeping assertion of Bulgarian barbarity appears baseless and irresponsible, particularly amid accusations leveled at reputable newspapers for allegedly spreading unfounded rumors Guided Turkey Tours .

Justification for Uprising

Critics argue that Bulgarians had no justification for their uprising and must bear the consequences. However, the manifesto released by the new government following the deposition of the previous Sultan offers a compelling rebuttal. It outlines the systemic misrule and oppression that pushed the Bulgarians to their breaking point. The rampant extortion and mismanagement of the government had plunged the peasantry into unimaginable misery, rendering their existence unsustainable without change. The revolution in Constantinople was a testament to the widespread discontent fueled by years of tyranny. Yet, instead of acknowledging these grievances, Midhat Pacha and his cohorts persist in persecuting the very people who acted out of necessity. The Bulgarians’ plight epitomizes a long-standing struggle against oppression and exploitation, a fight that any people, faced with similar circumstances, would be compelled to undertake.

Solidarity with the Weak

Rather than condemning the Bulgarians, we should empathize with their plight and recognize their just cause. No populace should endure the relentless exactions, extortion, and tyranny inflicted upon the Bulgarians for centuries. If such injustices were imposed elsewhere, the response would undoubtedly be one of unified resistance. It is imperative that we stand in solidarity with the oppressed, rejecting attempts to vilify them for seeking freedom and justice. In a world where the powerful often exploit the weak, it is our moral obligation to champion the cause of those who are unjustly oppressed.

#Unsubstantiated Claims and Reckless Accusations

[travelingbalkan]

Bolshevization and Economic Transformations

Bolshevization and Economic Transformations (1944-1952)

Soviet Occupation and Early Economic Measures (1944-1947)

After the Soviet army occupied Bulgaria and imposed a Communist government in 1944, the bolshevization of the country swiftly commenced. The “Two Year Preparatory Plan (1947-1948)” marked the initiation of a purely Bolshevik form of economic restructuring. Two trade agreements with the USSR were signed, and by the end of 1947, nationalization efforts took place, covering banks, mines, and most industries. Private banks were merged into The Bulgarian National Bank.

Industrial Categorization and Artisan Co-operatives (1944-1948)

The industrial categorization mirrored the Soviet pattern, establishing 20 industrial “complexes.” Simultaneously, artisans were compelled to join the “Producers’ Co-operatives of Craftsmen.” The growth of these co-operatives and their members from 1944 to 1948 is shown below:

Year Members Co-operatives 1944 3,282 86 1947 27,442 713 1948 44,000 1,037 3. First Five Year Plan and Economic Shifts (1949-1952): The First Five Year Plan, intended for 1949-1952, was “completed” in four years amid bloodshed, terror, and concentration camps. Peasants’ revolts were quelled Guided Istanbul Tour. The regime aimed to alter the correlation between industrial and rural economic productions and between the Socialist and private sectors. According to official data:

Year Industry Rural Economy 1939 27.1% 72.9% 1948 39.4% 60.6% 1952 55.9% 44.1% In the same period, the Socialist sector’s (state and co-operative ownership) dominance expanded significantly:

Year Socialist Sector Private Sector 1939 — 100 1948 44.5% 55.5% 1952 87% 13% Heavy industry production saw notable growth compared to light industry:

Year Heavy Industry Light Industry 1952 46.7% 53.3% Simultaneously, there was a substantial increase in the proletarization of the workforce, with the number of workers and employees rising from 330,000 in 1948 to 970,000 in 1952.

#Bolshevization and Economic Transformations

[travelingbalkan]

Bolshevization and Economic Transformations

Bolshevization and Economic Transformations (1944-1952)

Soviet Occupation and Early Economic Measures (1944-1947)

After the Soviet army occupied Bulgaria and imposed a Communist government in 1944, the bolshevization of the country swiftly commenced. The “Two Year Preparatory Plan (1947-1948)” marked the initiation of a purely Bolshevik form of economic restructuring. Two trade agreements with the USSR were signed, and by the end of 1947, nationalization efforts took place, covering banks, mines, and most industries. Private banks were merged into The Bulgarian National Bank.

Industrial Categorization and Artisan Co-operatives (1944-1948)

The industrial categorization mirrored the Soviet pattern, establishing 20 industrial “complexes.” Simultaneously, artisans were compelled to join the “Producers’ Co-operatives of Craftsmen.” The growth of these co-operatives and their members from 1944 to 1948 is shown below:

Year Members Co-operatives 1944 3,282 86 1947 27,442 713 1948 44,000 1,037 3. First Five Year Plan and Economic Shifts (1949-1952): The First Five Year Plan, intended for 1949-1952, was “completed” in four years amid bloodshed, terror, and concentration camps. Peasants’ revolts were quelled Guided Istanbul Tour. The regime aimed to alter the correlation between industrial and rural economic productions and between the Socialist and private sectors. According to official data:

Year Industry Rural Economy 1939 27.1% 72.9% 1948 39.4% 60.6% 1952 55.9% 44.1% In the same period, the Socialist sector’s (state and co-operative ownership) dominance expanded significantly:

Year Socialist Sector Private Sector 1939 — 100 1948 44.5% 55.5% 1952 87% 13% Heavy industry production saw notable growth compared to light industry:

Year Heavy Industry Light Industry 1952 46.7% 53.3% Simultaneously, there was a substantial increase in the proletarization of the workforce, with the number of workers and employees rising from 330,000 in 1948 to 970,000 in 1952.

#Bolshevization and Economic Transformations

[travelingbalkan]

Rain or Shine Climbing for the Love of Nature

A March Journey to Barla

March brought cold winds and rain as GOLDOSK embarked on a mountain path leading to Barla. The clouds sprinkled raindrops, adding to the challenge of the climb. Taking a break by a mountain brook, the group shared snacks and rested, ready to continue the journey.

Becoming Part of Nature

As they reached the small lake in Barla, the rain intensified into a storm, and the group embraced the elements, becoming like steppe grass, completely soaked. Stretching out like savanna flora, they turned their internal deserts longing for water into green landscapes. The hills seemed to bid farewells, asking not to be left alone.

Barla’s Warm Welcome

As the group approached Barla, walking through valleys and tea plantations, locals looked on with amusement. Some envied their adventurous spirit, while others found it odd to pass over mountains in such weather. The wet and grandeur of Barla appeared on the slopes of the hills, marking the end of the journey.

Echoes of Tiredness

Boarding waiting buses, the group listened to the echoes of their tiredness, reminiscing about the challenges and beauty of the climb. Despite the rain and obstacles, the journey left a sense of accomplishment and a connection to nature Guided Tours Turkey.

Savoring the Mangal Tradition: More Than Just Barbecuing

Beyond Meat The Global Love for Mangal

While Turks have a deep-rooted love for meat, the tradition of mangal (barbecue) is shared by many nations worldwide. Different cultures enjoy this cooking style in various ways, creating a rich and appetizing taste tradition.

Mangal A Social Tradition

Despite being perceived as a masculine activity, mangal is more than just cooking meat. It is a social gathering where loved ones and friends come together. The setup, historically used for cooking coffee during the Ottoman Empire, evolved to include meat, becoming a cherished part of Turkish culture.

The Irresistible Mangal Feast

Mangal setups are typically made of metal plates such as steel, iron, copper, or brass, available in square and round types. The feast includes delicious meats alongside fresh peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants, creating a royal culinary experience. The history of mangal in Turkey dates back to the 1400s, and it became an indispensable part of picnic ceremonies during the urbanization wave in the 1960s.

A Tradition that Transcends Time

Mangal is a tradition that transcends time, offering not only a flavorful meal but also a social and cultural experience. It continues to be a popular activity, bringing people together to enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and camaraderie.

#Rain or Shine Climbing for the Love of Nature

[travelingbalkan]

Rain or Shine Climbing for the Love of Nature

A March Journey to Barla

March brought cold winds and rain as GOLDOSK embarked on a mountain path leading to Barla. The clouds sprinkled raindrops, adding to the challenge of the climb. Taking a break by a mountain brook, the group shared snacks and rested, ready to continue the journey.

Becoming Part of Nature

As they reached the small lake in Barla, the rain intensified into a storm, and the group embraced the elements, becoming like steppe grass, completely soaked. Stretching out like savanna flora, they turned their internal deserts longing for water into green landscapes. The hills seemed to bid farewells, asking not to be left alone.

Barla’s Warm Welcome

As the group approached Barla, walking through valleys and tea plantations, locals looked on with amusement. Some envied their adventurous spirit, while others found it odd to pass over mountains in such weather. The wet and grandeur of Barla appeared on the slopes of the hills, marking the end of the journey.

Echoes of Tiredness

Boarding waiting buses, the group listened to the echoes of their tiredness, reminiscing about the challenges and beauty of the climb. Despite the rain and obstacles, the journey left a sense of accomplishment and a connection to nature Guided Tours Turkey.

Savoring the Mangal Tradition: More Than Just Barbecuing

Beyond Meat The Global Love for Mangal

While Turks have a deep-rooted love for meat, the tradition of mangal (barbecue) is shared by many nations worldwide. Different cultures enjoy this cooking style in various ways, creating a rich and appetizing taste tradition.

Mangal A Social Tradition

Despite being perceived as a masculine activity, mangal is more than just cooking meat. It is a social gathering where loved ones and friends come together. The setup, historically used for cooking coffee during the Ottoman Empire, evolved to include meat, becoming a cherished part of Turkish culture.

The Irresistible Mangal Feast

Mangal setups are typically made of metal plates such as steel, iron, copper, or brass, available in square and round types. The feast includes delicious meats alongside fresh peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants, creating a royal culinary experience. The history of mangal in Turkey dates back to the 1400s, and it became an indispensable part of picnic ceremonies during the urbanization wave in the 1960s.

A Tradition that Transcends Time

Mangal is a tradition that transcends time, offering not only a flavorful meal but also a social and cultural experience. It continues to be a popular activity, bringing people together to enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and camaraderie.

#Rain or Shine Climbing for the Love of Nature

[travelingbalkan]

A Village Reduced to Ashes and Ashen Dreams

The Withered Roses of Klissura

This article unveils the heartbreaking saga of Klissura, a once-flourishing village that now stands as a stark testament to the ruthlessness of destruction. Tassun Bey’s merciless onslaught left behind not just ashes but shattered lives and extinguished dreams. The tragic fate of Klissura exposes the depth of the atrocities inflicted upon its innocent inhabitants.

The Desolation of a Once-Proud Village

Klissura, adorned with 700 homes and a thriving community, lay in ruins after Tassun Bey’s onslaught. Not a single house stood untouched, leaving the village in a state of desolation. The Mudir’s grim assessment revealed that a mere fifty families could contemplate the daunting task of rebuilding, with most lacking the means to even start anew.

Crippled Lives and Uncertain Futures

The aftermath of Klissura’s destruction painted a grim picture of lives left in shambles. Families, once engaged in the cultivation of roses and the artistry of manufacturing attar of roses, now found themselves bereft of homes and livelihoods. The uncertainty of the impending winter loomed large, casting shadows on the villagers’ ability to rebuild their lives Tour Bulgaria.

An Orchestrated Plunder

Tassun Bey’s marauding forces orchestrated a meticulously planned pillaging of Klissura. The village’s 130 to 150 small manufacturing units, boasting 500 copper retorts for distilling rose leaves, represented a substantial capital of £5,000. However, the invaders spared nothing, looting not just furniture and cattle but even dismantling the very roofs for tiles. In the aftermath, they combed through the ashes, scavenging for iron and nails with a chilling efficiency.

Lives Reduced to Ashes

Beyond the tangible losses, the true tragedy lies in the shattered lives of Klissura’s residents. The anguish of families, robbed of their homes, possessions, and livelihoods, resonates as a haunting echo of the once-vibrant village. The pillars of the community lay broken, and the future for the survivors remains clouded with uncertainty.

A Plea for Justice and Restoration

Klissura’s agony calls for a resounding plea for justice and restoration. The international community must bear witness to the devastation inflicted upon this village and others like it. Only through collective efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and aid the survivors in rebuilding their lives can the echoes of Klissura’s tragedy be transformed into a resilient call for hope and renewal.

#A Village Reduced to Ashes and Ashen Dreams

[travelingbalkan]

The Troubled Landscape

Avrat-Alan and the Brigands’ Lament

The Brigands’ Bane A Suffering Class in the Shadows

As we continued our journey towards Avrat-Alan, the shadows of the Balkan Mountains embraced us, revealing a narrative of hardship that extended beyond the visible struggles of the villagers. These mountainous regions, once a haven for brigands, now echoed with their discontent. The brigands, predominantly Turks, found themselves on the brink of indigence due to the suspension of all traffic and commerce in the aftermath of the war.

These bandits, while often perceived as criminals, were now painted in a different light—one of desperation. Deprived of their customary means of subsistence, the harsh reality of their circumstances painted a pitiable picture. The cessation of travel and trade had not only silenced the roads but also left the brigands grappling with destitution. As we navigated the challenging terrain, it became apparent that the economic fallout had reached even those on the fringes of society, urging a nuanced consideration of the multifaceted impacts of conflict.

Echoes of Insurrection in a Mountain Hollow

As the sun dipped towards the horizon, we stood at the mountain’s crest, gazing upon Avrat-Alan nestled in a deep, narrow valley below. This village, one of the few south of the Balkans where an attempt at insurrection had occurred, bore the weight of a complex history. While it lacked the fortifications seen in some other places, Avrat-Alan held a distinction as the principal offender, marked by acts that strained the moral fabric of the insurrection.

The most egregious offense lay in the killing of forty Mohammedan gipsies by the insurgent youth. These gipsies, suspected of clandestine arming and potential allegiance to the Bashi-Bazouks, met a tragic fate. The suspicions, though unconfirmed Bulgaria Holidays, led to a grave decision, highlighting the intensity and paranoia that had gripped the region during the insurrection. However, a critical distinction emerged—the insurgents, despite their transgressions, refrained from harming women and children. This singular fact underscored a profound difference in conduct between the Bulgarian rebels and their Turkish counterparts.

The legacy of Avrat-Alan stood as a stark reminder of the moral complexities that emerged in the crucible of insurrection. It beckoned forth a call for reflection on the harsh choices made under the pressures of war, illuminating the contrasting values upheld by the opposing factions and, by extension, the deep-seated animosities embedded in the historical tapestry of the region.

#The Troubled Landscape

[travelingbalkan]

Any European country

A more impudent falsehood was never uttered, even by a Turk. Mr-Schuyler has obtained their tax-list for this year, and finds that there were 1,421 able-bodied men assessed to pay the military exemption tax. This number in any European country would indicate a population of about 15,000, but here it would not give more than from 8,000 to 10,000 souls, all told, and this is the figure at which the population of the place is estimated by the inhabitants, as well as by the people of Pestera.

I think people in England and Europe generally have a very imperfect idea of what these Bulgarians are. I have always heard them spoken of as mere savages, who were in reality not much more civilized than the American Indians; and I confess that I myself was not far from entertaining the same opinion not very long ago.

Bulgarian village

I was astonished, as I believe most of my readers will be, to learn that there is scarcely a Bulgarian village without its school; that these schools are, where they have not been burnt by the Turks, in a very flourishing condition; that they are supported by a voluntary tax levied by the Bulgarians on themselves, not only without being forced to do it by the Government, but in spite of all sorts of obstacles thrown in their way by the perversity of the Turkish authorities ; that the instruction given in these schools is gratuitous, and that all profit alike by it, poor as well as rich ; that there is scarcely a Bulgarian child that cannot read and write; and, finally, that the percentage of people who can read and write is as great in Bulgaria as in England and France.

Do the people who speak of the Bulgarians as savages happen to be aware of these facts? Again, I had thought that the burning of a Bulgarian village meant the burning of a few mud huts that were in reality of little value, and that could be easily rebuilt Guided Istanbul Tour.

I was very much astonished to find that the majority of these villages are in reality well-built towns, with solid stone houses, and that there are in all of them a comparatively large number of people who have attained to something like comfort, and that some of the villages might stand a not very unfavourable comparison with an English or French village.

The truth is that these Bulgarians, instead of the savages we have taken them for, are in reality a hardworking, industrious, honest, civilized, and peaceful people. Now, as regards the insurrection, there was a weak attempt at an insurrection in three or four villages, but none whatever in Batak, and it does not appear that a single Turk was killed here.

#Any European country

[travelingbalkan]

Blackened by the burning

We looked into the church which had been blackened by the burning of the woodwork, but not destroyed, nor even much injured. It was a low building with a low roof, supported by heavy irregular arches, that as we looked in seemed scarcely high enough for a tall man to stand under. What we saw there was too frightful for more than a hasty glance.

An immense number of bodies had been partly burnt there and the charred and blackened remains, that seemed to fill it half way up to the low dark arches and make them lower and darker still, were lying in a state of putrefaction too frightful to look upon. I had never imagined anything so horrible. We all turned away sick and faint, and staggered out of the fearful pest house glad to get into the street again.

Skeletons of men

We walked about the place and saw the same things repeated over and over a hundred times. Skeletons of men with the clothing and flesh still hanging to and rotting together ; skulls of women, with the hair dragging in the dust, bones of children and of infants everywhere. Here they show us a house where twenty people were burned alive ; there another where a dozen girls had taken refuge, and been slaughtered to the last one, as their bones amply testified. Everywhere horrors upon horrors Istanbul Private Tours.

There were no dogs in the place, as they had all been driven away when the inhabitants began to return, and only hung around the outskirts of the village; but I saw one or two cats, fat and sleek, that sat complacently upon the walls and watched us with sleepy eyes.

It may be asked why the people who are in the village now do not bury these skeletons and these bones, instead of allowing them to be gnawed by the dogs and cats. Some of those who have been able to identify the bones of friends have made weak attempts at burying them. But they have no spades to dig graves with, and they are weak and starving.

#Blackened by the burning

[travelingbalkan]

Blackened by the burning

We looked into the church which had been blackened by the burning of the woodwork, but not destroyed, nor even much injured. It was a low building with a low roof, supported by heavy irregular arches, that as we looked in seemed scarcely high enough for a tall man to stand under. What we saw there was too frightful for more than a hasty glance.

An immense number of bodies had been partly burnt there and the charred and blackened remains, that seemed to fill it half way up to the low dark arches and make them lower and darker still, were lying in a state of putrefaction too frightful to look upon. I had never imagined anything so horrible. We all turned away sick and faint, and staggered out of the fearful pest house glad to get into the street again.

Skeletons of men

We walked about the place and saw the same things repeated over and over a hundred times. Skeletons of men with the clothing and flesh still hanging to and rotting together ; skulls of women, with the hair dragging in the dust, bones of children and of infants everywhere. Here they show us a house where twenty people were burned alive ; there another where a dozen girls had taken refuge, and been slaughtered to the last one, as their bones amply testified. Everywhere horrors upon horrors Istanbul Private Tours.

There were no dogs in the place, as they had all been driven away when the inhabitants began to return, and only hung around the outskirts of the village; but I saw one or two cats, fat and sleek, that sat complacently upon the walls and watched us with sleepy eyes.

It may be asked why the people who are in the village now do not bury these skeletons and these bones, instead of allowing them to be gnawed by the dogs and cats. Some of those who have been able to identify the bones of friends have made weak attempts at burying them. But they have no spades to dig graves with, and they are weak and starving.

#Blackened by the burning

[travelingbalkan]

Aziz Pacha

In the meantime, between the second and third appeals for help, Aziz Pacha sent two zaptiehs, or rural policemen. These zaptiehs, however, only remained a few hours, at the end of which time they said they would go to Ustuna and see what was going on there, borrowed two horses, went off, and never came back. Then there arrived two Bashi-Bazouks, with a message from Achmet-Aga, the chief of the Bashi-Bazouks, saying he was coming with 200 or 300 Bashi-Bazouks to protect them, as he had heard they had asked for protection. They, however, did not relish the protection of the Bashi-Bazouks, and told the two emissaries that they did not want to be protected, and that they were going to protect themselves.

The two Bashi-Bazouks insisted, however, that Achmet-Aga should come and protect them and refused to take back the message. Whereupon there was an altercation, in the course of which the two Turks were seized and killed. These facts were related to me by an Armenian woman, whose husband kept a kind of cafe in the place, and in whose house the interview with the Turks took place.

The Armenians and- Jews, I may remark, are the only people here who may be considered really impartial, as they are neither Turk nor Bulgarian in language or religion, and both parties treat them as friends. She said there was evidently no ill-feeling towards the two Turks when they arrived, as the Bulgarians had given them coffee in her house Guided Tours Turkey.

As Mr. Baring talked to this woman, I presume he will have obtained the facts from her very much as I give them.

There was not, so far as we can learn, any sufficient reason for killing these two Turks. It is true that they were Bashi-Bazouks, and that several villages had already been burnt by the Bashi-Bazouks, that they had come with what could only be regarded as a threatening message, but this was no excuse for killing them. It has been impossible to learn under exactly what circumstances they were killed, as it was not done in the village, and we do not know whether it occurred in a fight, or whether it was done in cold blood. What seems probable, however, is that they were asked to deliver up their arms, that they refused, and that they were then fired upon and killed.

#Aziz Pacha

[travelingbalkan]

PHILIPPOPOLIS

A two hours’ drive from Philippopolis over a very fair road that led through the rich and fertile valley of the ftfaritza, brought us to what had formerly been the village of Perustitza. This village wTas attacked and burnt by the Bashi-Bazouks. led by one Achmet-Aga, who must not be confounded with another

Acnmet-Aga, still more mtamous, who destroyed Batak. It was a prettily-situated little place, built, as it was, on a low hill that dominated the valley of the Maritza, and enabled its inhabitants to command a view over the rich and luxuriant valley, miles in extent.

It was, however, like so many other places that we have seen, in ruins, not one house remaining standing. We found about a thousand people, of whom the greater part were women and children, who were living in the nooks and corners of the walls, where they had constructed temporary sheds of straw capable of sheltering them from the sun, but not from the rain City Tours Istanbul.

Their present means of existence were principally the new harvest, which they were gathering slowly and painfully, without the aid of their cattle, which had been driven off by their Turkish neighbours, and partly some assistance that was given them by the Governor of Philippopolis. This is the only case we have heard of where the Turkish authorities have given any assistance whatever to the burnt villages. The cattle of the people here were all in the village of Ustuna, not more than three miles distant.

They had been there in the possession of the Turks ever since the middle of May. Not a single head had been restored to the owners, and yet the kind, plausible, earnest, conscientious Mutld-Serif of Philippopolis, with whom we were to dine that night, had assured us only the day before that the cattle had been restored to their proper owners, that the houses were being rebuilt, and help distributed to the needy.

#PHILIPPOPOLIS

[travelingbalkan]

Freedom or death

“Freedom or death!”

In 1869 Levski founded the first revolutionary committees and thereby laid the foundations of the Internal Revolutionary Organization. In three years he built the organizational structure of the resistance creating hundreds of committees more in urban and rural areas. By 1872 the Bulgarians already lived with the thought of the forthcoming insurrection. Levski had established himself as a veritable leader for which was rightfully called the Apostle of Freedom. Then the conspiracy was betrayed, many people were put under arrest. In December 1872 the Apostle himself was detained and brought before the Turkish court where he behaved with dignity. Levski was hung on 19th February 1873 in the outskirts of Sofia.

A time of profound crisis followed in the entire revolutionary organization. In order to escape from the Turks most revolutionaries had to flee to Wallachia. But then in August 1875 a Grand Meeting was held in Bucharest which decided that an immediate uprising should be declared. This time Botev – with the extraordinary power of an ideologist and a revolutionary leader – articulated his views of a fraternal union of the Balkan nations. One of the most energetic leaders in the Committee was Stefan Stambolov (1854-1895). Under the chairmanship of Stambolov the participants decided that a general uprising was to be prepared by the spring of 1876 Holidays Bulgaria. The Bulgarians would fight until the uprising developed into an All-European matter and the Great Powers intervened…

General meeting of committee

And so, between 14th and 16lh of April 1876, a general meeting of committee representatives was held in the forest of Oborishte, an area not far from the town of Panagyurishte. However, due to betrayal, the uprising commenced prematurely: on 20th of April instead of 1st of May. The rebels from the villages between the Rhodopes and the Balkan Range were ready to accomplish the holiest sacrifice… But the Turkish garrisons were already roused. The insurgent settlements were targeted by columns of regular army soldiers and hordes of bashibazouks. A British military instructor participated in the crushing of the uprising. What followed during the next days was a bloody massacre. The Turks initiated inhuman atrocities. Two weeks later Botev and his 200 adherents crossed the Danube on

board the Austrian ship Radetzki, headed south to create another centre of the struggle, but after unequal battle his men were dispersed and he was shot to death in the head…

#Freedom or death

[travelingbalkan]

Rumeli Hissar citadel

Arnaut Keui, the next place the steamer calls at, is the Byzantine Michaelion, built on the site of the more ancient Hestiae. Its Byzantine name was derived from the church erected there to St. Michael by Constantine and rebuilt afterwards by Justinian, and pulled down by Muhammad II., who used the materials for building Rumeli Hissar citadel.

The current at the cape above the landing-stage sets with a velocity of 4 knots an hour, and is called Mega Reuma (‘ strong current ’) by the Greeks, who extend that name to the village also. Boatmen proceeding up the Bosporus find it more expedient to get out and tow past the cape. The Imperial Kiosk, with the lanterns on each side of the door, at the end of the quay is not used now. The charming villa farther on, near the next station, belongs to the sons of the late Egyptian Prince Halim.

Rebek, which comes next after Arnaut Keui, is built on the site of ancient Chelae. In the adjoining bay once stood a temple to Diana Dictynna. The picturesque situation of the place and the beauty of the surrounding scenery made it a favourite resort of various sultans, especially Sultan Selim I. and Selim III., the first of whom built a summer palace on the water-side, known to Europeans as the Palace of Conferences, where ambassadors were received in secret audience. On the top of the hill is the handsome college founded by Mr. A. Robert of Hew York in 1863, and called Robert College after him.            

The high road from Pera stops at Bebek. The cemetery lying between the village and Robert College is highly venerated by the Turks, as being the last resting-place of the first of their race who crossed into Europe from Asia, whom they are wont to style Sehid (martyrs) or Evlia (saints). On the top of the hill is a monastery of Bektashl Dervishes, commanding a splendid view.

Rumeli Hissar, or the Citadel of Europe, the next station, is a village mostly inhabited by Turks. The water-gates seen under the houses are to admit boats belonging to the house into the cellars, which in Bosporus water-side residences are generally used as boat-houses.

#Rumeli Hissar citadel