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Abolishing the Janissary
Sultan Selim III initiated the reconstruction of the Ottoman army from scratch and addressed financial concerns. To fund the establishment of a modern army called the “Nizam-i Cedid,” the Janissary corps was disbanded, and a new system called “Irad-i Cedid” was introduced to finance these reforms.
Establishment of Irad-i Cedid
The decision was made to establish the Irad-i Cedid treasury, separate from the existing treasuries, to finance various military and state expenses. This treasury was funded through various sources, including taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and agricultural products, as well as special duties Istanbul Fun Tours.
Financial Regulations
To manage the revenues of the Irad-i Cedid treasury, a Directorate of Finance was established, and experienced officers were appointed to oversee its operations. Detailed regulations were outlined in a statute book to ensure proper management and accountability.
Sultan Selim’s Reforms
Sultan Selim III implemented extensive reforms in administration, economy, trade, politics, and diplomacy, inspired by European methods. He established permanent embassies in major European capitals and introduced a balanced foreign policy, facilitating Western influence in the Ottoman Empire.
Diplomatic Achievements
Permanent embassies in European capitals, including Paris and London, played a crucial role in enhancing Ottoman diplomacy. Notably, Ke|it Pasha served as an ambassador for an extended period, contributing to diplomatic advancements and the establishment of Western-standard diplomatic training.
Legacy of Ottoman Diplomacy
The Ottoman diplomatic efforts, bolstered by ambassadors like Ke|it Pasha and institutions such as the School of Diplomacy, paved the way for the rise of Ottoman statesmen. Ultimately, these diplomatic foundations laid the groundwork for the modern Republic of Turkey under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his associates.
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The Challenges of Organizing an Insurrection
Inadequate Organization of the Bucharest Committee
The events surrounding the attempted insurrection reveal significant challenges in organization and leadership. The rising occurred only in a few places and lacked coordination, suggesting that the Bucharest Committee was inexperienced and poorly organized. Their attempt to incite a widespread revolt failed as the majority of the population remained passive, resulting in devastating consequences.
Misguided Attempts at Provocation
The Bucharest Committee’s strategy relied on persuading a handful of villages to rise up, hoping that it would spark a general insurrection across the country. However, without proper leadership and organization, the rest of the population remained inactive, leading to their quiet slaughter. This lack of unified action and leadership proved detrimental to the success of the uprising.
Potential for Success with Proper Organization
Had the uprising been properly organized with widespread participation and effective leadership, the outcome could have been different. A well-coordinated revolt could have forced the Turks to retreat from significant portions of the country, particularly north of the Balkans. The inability to effectively combat resistance while maintaining communication lines through hostile territory would have severely weakened Turkish control Bulgaria Tours.
Panagurishti’s Involvement in the Revolt
The enthusiasm for revolt was evident in Panagurishti, where even women participated in fortification efforts. However, the amateur fortifications they constructed were inadequate for defense against significant military opposition. These makeshift defenses lacked depth and strategic placement, rendering them ineffective in repelling any serious assault.
Ineffectiveness of the Fortifications
The fortifications in Panagurishti consisted of shallow embankments and ditches, which would have provided minimal protection against enemy attacks. Even if well-constructed, the village’s accessibility from all sides would have rendered the defenses easily flanked and bypassed by enemy forces. Thus, the efforts to fortify the village, while demonstrating enthusiasm, ultimately proved futile in providing meaningful defense.
The attempted insurrection highlighted the challenges of organizing a successful revolt. Inexperienced leadership, inadequate organization, and ineffective fortifications hindered the efforts to incite widespread rebellion. While enthusiasm and willingness to resist were present, they were not enough to overcome the lack of proper planning and leadership required for a successful uprising.
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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.
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Economic Progress from Liberation to the End of the Century
Economic Progress from Liberation to the End of the Century (1878-1900)
Peasant Settlements and Limited Capital (1878-1880)
After the Liberation, landless Bulgarian peasants settled on the land abandoned by Turkish beys. The Bulgarian government paid indemnities for this land. However, the departure of Turks led to a depletion of capital in the country, limiting investment opportunities.
Land Redistribution and Emergence of Small Farms (1880-1890)
In 1880, a law granted peasants land ownership if they farmed it for 10 years and paid a designated sum to the state. This broke up large landholdings, creating a mosaic of small farms. The economy gradually shifted to a money-based system. Increased importation of farm machinery and mechanization in craft industries modernized agriculture and crafts.
Development of Infrastructure and Foreign Trade (1880s-1890s)
The unification of North and South Bulgaria led to government loans to boost local industry. Factories, railroads, harbors, and communication lines were established. Machinery importation increased significantly, reaching 6,482,000 leva annually from 1891 to 1895. New credit institutions and joint-stock companies played vital roles in economic growth. Foreign trade, primarily with England, Austro-Hungary, and France, faced competition from West European goods due to Treaty of Berlin restrictions Guided Istanbul Tour.
Preferential Treatment for Bulgarian Industry (1894)
Under the Stambolov government in 1894, laws were enacted to favor Bulgarian industry. However, a conservative party government led by Stoilov took power the same year. The conservatives shifted taxation to real estate from agricultural yield. In 1897, they successfully renegotiated trade agreements, breaking free from Treaty of Berlin constraints. Protective tariff walls were established to shield the growing Bulgarian industry.
Economic Pioneering and Opportunities (Late 19th Century)
Governments led by Stambolov and Stoilov played pioneering roles in opening vast opportunities for economic development. Their initiatives, including preferential treatment for local industries and breaking free from restrictive treaties, laid the foundation for Bulgaria’s economic progress at the turn of the century.
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Economic Progress from Liberation to the End of the Century
Economic Progress from Liberation to the End of the Century (1878-1900)
Peasant Settlements and Limited Capital (1878-1880)
After the Liberation, landless Bulgarian peasants settled on the land abandoned by Turkish beys. The Bulgarian government paid indemnities for this land. However, the departure of Turks led to a depletion of capital in the country, limiting investment opportunities.
Land Redistribution and Emergence of Small Farms (1880-1890)
In 1880, a law granted peasants land ownership if they farmed it for 10 years and paid a designated sum to the state. This broke up large landholdings, creating a mosaic of small farms. The economy gradually shifted to a money-based system. Increased importation of farm machinery and mechanization in craft industries modernized agriculture and crafts.
Development of Infrastructure and Foreign Trade (1880s-1890s)
The unification of North and South Bulgaria led to government loans to boost local industry. Factories, railroads, harbors, and communication lines were established. Machinery importation increased significantly, reaching 6,482,000 leva annually from 1891 to 1895. New credit institutions and joint-stock companies played vital roles in economic growth. Foreign trade, primarily with England, Austro-Hungary, and France, faced competition from West European goods due to Treaty of Berlin restrictions Guided Istanbul Tour.
Preferential Treatment for Bulgarian Industry (1894)
Under the Stambolov government in 1894, laws were enacted to favor Bulgarian industry. However, a conservative party government led by Stoilov took power the same year. The conservatives shifted taxation to real estate from agricultural yield. In 1897, they successfully renegotiated trade agreements, breaking free from Treaty of Berlin constraints. Protective tariff walls were established to shield the growing Bulgarian industry.
Economic Pioneering and Opportunities (Late 19th Century)
Governments led by Stambolov and Stoilov played pioneering roles in opening vast opportunities for economic development. Their initiatives, including preferential treatment for local industries and breaking free from restrictive treaties, laid the foundation for Bulgaria’s economic progress at the turn of the century.
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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.
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Exploitation and Terror in Tatar Bazardjik
A Web of Exploitation Unveiled
This article exposes the pervasive and lucrative practice of extortion in Tatar Bazardjik, where three influential beys, led by Tassun Bey, engage in a profitable trade of ransom. Beyond this local hub of exploitation, Sofia emerges as a larger stage for such nefarious dealings. Tamboli, held hostage by a handful of beys, becomes a microcosm of the terror inflicted by those who govern through fear.
Architects of Extortion
Within the confines of Tatar Bazardjik, three beys, including the infamous Tassun Bey, orchestrate a reign of terror fueled by their engagement in the ransom trade. Tassun Bey, previously linked to the destruction of Klissura, demonstrates the depth of his involvement in criminal enterprises. This unholy alliance exploits the vulnerability of the populace, leaving them at the mercy of these powerful figures.
The Kaimakam’s Exploitative Role
In Sofia, the capital city, a grander scale of exploitation unfolds, masterminded by the Kaimakam. This authoritative figure, entrusted with the well-being of the citizens, shamelessly exacts ransoms that can soar as high as £500. The populace, ensnared in a web of fear, is subject to the whims of those who wield power with impunity.
Bey Domination and Terrified Silence
Tamboli, a victimized community, epitomizes the subjugation experienced under the oppressive rule of three or four beys. These Turkish notables, holding de facto governance, render the Kaimakam a mere spectator in their presence. The pervasive climate of terrorism stifles dissent, prompting the fearful populace to approach outsiders only under the cover of darkness, highlighting the depths of their vulnerability.
Denial, Powerlessness, and Blame-Shifting
When confronted with the rampant lawlessness within their jurisdiction, authorities exhibit a predictable response. Denial becomes a shield, dismissing victims as liars. Alternatively, they openly admit powerlessness to address or prevent these grievances. The blame is shifted onto the victims, questioning why they seek external help instead of relying on the local authorities. The stark reality is that fear prevents these victims from seeking justice where it appears impossible to find Tour Bulgaria.
A Cry for Liberation from Exploitation
The article concludes with a poignant observation on the pervasive exploitation and the cry for liberation echoing through Tatar Bazardjik, Sofia, and Tamboli. The interconnected tales of extortion, fear, and silent suffering underscore the urgent need for intervention. The international community is implored to shed light on these dark corners where exploitation thrives and to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, advocating for justice, freedom, and an end to the ransom economy.
Breaking the Chains of Fear and Exploitation
In a final plea, the article calls for concerted efforts to break the chains of fear and exploitation gripping these communities. The narrative, woven with tales of ransom, terror, and subjugation, seeks to inspire a collective push toward justice and liberation. It envisions a future where Tatar Bazardjik, Sofia, Tamboli, and countless others emerge from the shadows, free from the shackles of exploitation.
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The Specter of Rebellion
Unraveling the Thread of Ferocity and Retribution
Ferocity Unleashed: Otluk-kui, Avrat-Alan, and the Atrocities of Insurrection
In the shadow of the Balkans, the saga of insurrection unfolded, leaving Otluk-kui, Avrat-Alan, and Klissura as the focal points of a rebellion that stained the land with blood. The dynamics of this uprising, however, were far from uniform, and a closer examination of Otluk-kui and Avrat-Alan reveals the divergent paths taken by those who dared to resist.
The killing of armed men, particularly when viewed through the lens of self-defense, draws a sharp contrast to the horrors witnessed in Otluk-kui and Avrat-Alan. The rationalization of self-preservation, though debatable, is a far cry from the merciless acts of ferocity meted out against women and innocent children—acts that transcend even the brutality of wild beasts. Otluk-kui, a village that dared to stand against the encroaching forces, bore witness to the indiscriminate violence directed at its inhabitants, perpetuated under the guise of quelling insurrection.
Avrat-Alan, etched in history as a principal offender in the insurrection narrative, faced a similar fate. The killing of forty Mohammedan gipsies, albeit born out of suspicions and paranoia, laid bare the grim complexities of a rebellion teetering on the edge of moral ambiguity. However, a crucial distinction arose—despite the transgressions, the insurgents refrained from harming women and children, exposing a nuanced morality that unfolded in the crucible of conflict Bulgaria Holidays.
Repression and Retribution Unraveling the Threads of Insurrection
As we delve into the heart of the insurrection, a crucial question emerges: What was the true strength of the rebellion, and how did the authorities choose to quell it? Otluk-kui, Avrat-Alan, Klissura, Strelcha, and Kurlovo bore the weight of the insurrection’s blame, resulting in the ruthless reprisal against seventy innocent villages. The tide of pillaging, burning, and massacres swept over those who had neither part nor hand in the rebellion.
To comprehend the rebellion’s essence, it becomes imperative to scrutinize its genesis and its vigor at the epicenter. Otluk-kui and Avrat-Alan, as the origin points, serve as a microcosm of the larger struggle. The atrocities unleashed upon these villages were not merely punitive measures against rebellion but rather acts of ferocity driven by a desire to crush any form of dissent.
In understanding the nature of repression, one must reckon with the disproportionate response to the perceived threat. The fault lines of insurrection extended far beyond those actively involved, enveloping innocents in a wave of brutality. As we navigate the annals of history, the events in Otluk-kui and Avrat-Alan stand as chilling reminders of the unforgiving nature of retribution and the enduring scars left by conflicts that blur the lines between self-defense and ferocity.
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Incredulous and sceptical mind
Nobody can understand the cool, plausible, conscientious way in which a Turk can lie until he has seen what I have seen during this trip through Bulgaria. I have travelled a good deal, and seen something of the world; but I am willing to confess that until I came here I had no idea of the extent to which human duplicity could be carried. The honest, straight-forward way in which these people will lie to you is simply past belief, and will impose upon the most incredulous and sceptical mind.
There is an honesty, an earnestness, a seriousness in the tones of the voice, an evident knowledge of the necessities of the situation, which carries conviction with it, and convinces you that they see and know and feel about it exactly as you do. The right is so evident to their mind as well as yours, that it is impossible they should go wrong : and it is not until you see with your own eyes that they have been coolly, deliberately, and with premeditation, lying to you in the most shameless manner, that you begin to fathom the depths of their duplicity.
There are cases like the present, in which one finds out the truth; but generally you have no means of verifying what has been said to you, and of necessity you are obliged to believe. It requires a special habit and training of mind to be able to disbelieve every word which is said to you ; a habit of mind which Europeans as a rule have not got, which they cannot get, unless brought up in it from infancy, and which is rarely obtained in Europe Guided Tours Turkey.
This is why Europeans are continually deceived and overreached in their dealings with Orientals. The reader will say, perhaps, that I, the writer of these lines, seem to have learnt it pretty well already. Not at all. I know that the Mutld-Serif of Philippopolis, or any other Turk, can make me believe any number of lies, unless I have ready to hand the means of dis-proving them. I feel I am a perfect child in their hands.
I could no more have doubted Kiana Pacha and Edib Effendi when they said there was nobody killed at Batak than I could have doubted that the sun would rise to-morrow, had I not been to Batak and seen 6,000 or 7,000 bodies lying there. So far from returning the cattle to the destitute villagers, the Turks of Ustuna, hearing that we had been to Perustitza, and fearing we might make urgent representations on the subject, drove them all off to another part of the country, and sold them.
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Beneath the stones
Beneath the stones and rubbish that cover the floor to the height of several feet, are the bones and ashes of 200 women and children burnt alive between those four walls. Just beside the schoolhouse is a broad shallow pit. Here were buried a hundred bodies two weeks after the massacre. But the dogs uncovered them in part. The water flowed in, and now it lies there a horrid cesspool, with human remains floating about or lying half exposed in the mud. Nearby, on the banks of the little stream that runs through the village, is a sawmill. The wheel-pit beneath is full of dead bodies floating in the water. The banks of this stream were at one time literally covered with corpses of men and women, young girls and children, that lay there festering in the sun, and eaten by dogs.
Even Tatar Bazardjik
But the pitiful sky rained down a torrent upon them, and the little stream swelled and rose up and carried the bodies away, and strewred them far down its grassy banks, through its narrow gorges and dark defiles beneath the thick underbrush and the shady woods as far as Pestera, and even Tatar Bazardjik. forty miles distant. We entered the churchyard, but the odour here became so bad that it was almost impossible to proceed. We took a handful of tobacco, and held it to our noses while we continued our investigations Istanbul Private Tours.
The church was not a very large one, and it was surrounded by a low stone wall, enclosing a small churchyard about fifty yards wide by seventy-five long. At first we perceive nothing in particular, and the stench is so great that we scarcely care to look about us, but we see that the place is heaped up with stones and rubbish to the height of five or six feet above the level of the street, and upon inspection we discover that what appeared to be a mass of stones and rubbish is in reality an immense heap of human bodies covered over with a thin layer of stones.
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Beneath the stones
Beneath the stones and rubbish that cover the floor to the height of several feet, are the bones and ashes of 200 women and children burnt alive between those four walls. Just beside the schoolhouse is a broad shallow pit. Here were buried a hundred bodies two weeks after the massacre. But the dogs uncovered them in part. The water flowed in, and now it lies there a horrid cesspool, with human remains floating about or lying half exposed in the mud. Nearby, on the banks of the little stream that runs through the village, is a sawmill. The wheel-pit beneath is full of dead bodies floating in the water. The banks of this stream were at one time literally covered with corpses of men and women, young girls and children, that lay there festering in the sun, and eaten by dogs.
Even Tatar Bazardjik
But the pitiful sky rained down a torrent upon them, and the little stream swelled and rose up and carried the bodies away, and strewred them far down its grassy banks, through its narrow gorges and dark defiles beneath the thick underbrush and the shady woods as far as Pestera, and even Tatar Bazardjik. forty miles distant. We entered the churchyard, but the odour here became so bad that it was almost impossible to proceed. We took a handful of tobacco, and held it to our noses while we continued our investigations Istanbul Private Tours.
The church was not a very large one, and it was surrounded by a low stone wall, enclosing a small churchyard about fifty yards wide by seventy-five long. At first we perceive nothing in particular, and the stench is so great that we scarcely care to look about us, but we see that the place is heaped up with stones and rubbish to the height of five or six feet above the level of the street, and upon inspection we discover that what appeared to be a mass of stones and rubbish is in reality an immense heap of human bodies covered over with a thin layer of stones.
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The struggle which turned into a National Revolution
The end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century were marked by a decline in the political and economical life in the Ottoman Empire. The successive wars with Russia from 1786 to 1829 led to providing the Tsar’s right of patronizing the Balkan Christians. Despite the aggressive intentions of Russia to lay its hands on the Straits – the Bosporus and the Dardanelles – and gain access to the Aegean Sea, the wars played a positive role for the development of the Bulgarian and the other Balkan national liberation movements. Now the Eastern Question was already regarded in two aspects: the struggle of the peoples enslaved by Turkey for political emancipation and the rivalry among the Great powers for partition of the territorial inheritance coming from the declining Ottoman Empire.
During the first half of the 19th century some Bulgarian refugees left their homeland to form communities in Wallachia, Bessarabia and Southern Russia, and took part in the Russian-Turkish wars. Bulgarian volunteers fought actively in the two successive Serbian uprisings initiated in 1804. Bulgar-ians participated also in the Greek national revolution of 1821-1829. In the 50’s, during the Crimean war, the young Bulgarian revolutionary George Rakovski (1821-1867) – considered as the founder of the organized national liberation movement Holidays Bulgaria – set up a Secret Society in Constantinople whose task was to urge the Bulgarian people to rise in an armed struggle in the course of the military action.
Serbian government
With permission from the Serbian government and with the help of Italian secret societies Rakovski organized the training of a regiment in Belgrade known as the First Bulgarian Legion. Among its soldiers was Vasil Levski (1837-1873) – the future great revolutionary. In 1862 this Legion took part in a clash with the Turks but after a turn in the political relations between Serbia and the Supreme Porte was disbanded. Bitterly disappointed. Rakovski came to believe that liberation should be gained by employing Bulgaria’s own national forces. Later, after the utter defeat of the biggest detachment led by Hadji Dimitar and Stefan Karadja which crossed the Danube to fight the Turks in the summer of 1868, was closed the last page of the detachment tactics’ period of the national liberation movement. The unsuccessful Second Bulgarian Legion formed in the same year proved that too. A new stage in the struggle commenced: an Internal Revolutionary Organization was set up in 1869 under the leadership of the newly established Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee. Ahead of this committee stood Liuben Karavelov (1837— 1879), Levski and Hristo Botev (1848-1876).
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Khaireddin Pasha
Beshik-Tash, ‘Cradle Stone,’ is the next station. It stands on the site of the Byzantine Diplokiemion, and derives its name, according to some Turkish writers, from Khaireddin Pasha’s tomb, which resembles a cradle; and, according to others, from Besh Task (five stones), which Khaireddin had his ships moored to. Near the guard-house is the tomb of Gazi Khaireddin Pasha, called Barbarossa, who conquered Algiers and Tunis for Suleiman the Great, and defeated the combined Christian fleet at Prevesa.
‘Et Bechik-Tash, oh dort sous la pierre et la mousse, la terreur des Chretiens, Chair-ed-Din Bar- berousse ’ (G. Nogues fils).
Two ancient columns, overthrown by an earthquake, which once formed part of an altar or temple, are said to have given Beshik-Tash its Byzantine name DiploJcionion (‘Double Column’). These columns are said to be among the stones lying between Barbarossa’s tomb and the water’s edge. Beshik-Tash is where Dandolo’s troops first effected a landing at the taking of the city by the Venetians in 1203. Just beyond the landing-stage is Cheragan Palace, now partly burnt, was built by Sultan Abd-ul-Aziz, and where this Sultan died. In this palace Sultan Abd-ul-Hamid had imprisoned his elder brother, the unfortunate Sultan Murad V., who died there after an imprisonment of nearly 25 years. In 1910 it was used by the Parliament. But owing to a fire, believed to have been caused by accident, all that stands now are its four walls. It is estimated to have cost about £4,000,000.
Cheragan Palace
Yildiz Kiosk, i.e., the palaces and grounds seen from the steamer on the heights immediately above Cheragan Palace, and surrounded by high walls, is well worth a visit. It takes about two hours to see everything, and the total cost of entrance fees is about 20 piastres (3s. 4d.). It is open from sunrise to sunset. But on Tuesdays it is open to ladies, and on Wednesdays the charge for entrance fees is doubled.
Yildiz Kiosk is not one building but many. There are said to be in all about twenty-five. They are surrounded by high walls, and comprise an immense area covered by trees and all kinds of plants.
Sultan Abd-ul-Hamid II. had them built at various periods, and lived there uninterruptedly during all the time he reigned, viz., 32 years. He kept an immense household and an unlimited number of wives. But after his dethronement by the Voung Turkish Party the place was opened to the public, excepting his private apartments and those of his harem.
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The Greek inscription
The dome is 57 feet in diameter, and rests on eight piers, intersected by a double row of thirty-four green and white columns, sixteen of which are in the lower row, and the remaining eighteen in the galleries. The Greek inscription, running round the frieze, is ornamented with carved vine leaves and grapes, and is a dedicatory poem to the two saints; but all the mosaics and frescoes forming part of the original ornamentation of the church have been covered with whitewash. Ducange states that this was the church in which the papal Nuncio, for the time being, was allowed to hold divine service in Latin ; and it was here that Pope Virgil sought refuge from the wrath of Justinian for having excommunicated Patriarch Menas; this was also the church which the Emperor attended in state every Easter Tuesday.
Mehmed Pasha Mosque, on the south-west side of the Hippodrome, not far from Kutchuk Ayiah Sofia. Admission 5 piastres (10d.). This mosque is regarded (Dr. A. G-. Paspati, ‘ BvavnvaX MeXerat ) as the ancient church of St. Anastasia Pharma- kolytria, variously attributed to Anastasius Dicorus, in the fifth century, and to Gregory Nazianzenus, the latter of whom preached orthodoxy in it during the predominance of Arianism in the city. The church has been rebuilt and restored several times, and notably by Basil of Macedon, who replaced its wooden cupola by a stone one.
Most of the ornaments and relics were carried off by the Latins during the crusade of 1204. The immediate vicinity of this church, extending as far as the Cistern of Philoxenus (Thousand and One Columns), is supposed by Dr. Paspati to have been the site of the city Praetorium and the Portico of Domninus. The church was converted into a mosque in 1571 by Mehmed Pasha Socoll, son-in-law of Selim II. The tiles with which the interior is ornamented guided tours istanbul, and especially those forming the panels over the windows and the canopy over the pulpit, are masterpieces of Persian art. The courtyard is one of the most picturesque, and makes a charming subject for sketches or photographs.
The Church in the Fields
The Church in the Fields (17 Movrj TT)? Xwpa?), now Kahriyeh Jamesi, better known to travellers as the Mosaic Mosque. Admission 5 piastres per head. The Imam (priest) in charge is not always in attendance, but lives close by, and will always come if sent for. This mosque suffered so severely during the earthquakes of 1894 as to be in danger of falling down, and it has been deemed advisable, in consequence, to close it for an indefinite period. It is situated near the land walls and close to Edimth Kaj)u (Adrianople Gate); it is one of the most interesting of all the whilom Byzantine churches, both on account of its plan and of the mosaic pictures covering the walls of its outer and inner nartheces, the greater part illustrating the life of Christ. Its Greek name, showing that it originally stood outside the city, carries the foundation back to the period prior to 413 A.D., when it was enclosed within the walls of Theodosius.
Very probably the church was erected as a private chapel in connection with the Hebdomon Palace. Justinian restored it and added a basilica, and in the early part of the seventh century it was further restored and embellished by Crispus, son-in-law of the Emperor Phocas, who was imprisoned in it for treachery by Heraclius, and subsequently became a monk. In the early part of the twelfth century the church was rebuilt and restored by Maria Ducaina, mother-in-law of Alexius Comnenus; and about the middle of the fourteenth century its chapels and nartheces were again restored throughout and embellished by the patrician Theodoras Metochites.
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The culture of the Empire
The artistic laboratory comprised the centers in these territories and thus created the culture of the Empire. Teams of architects and skillful man strayed far and wide to meet the requirements of various layers of the society. They employed to many replicas the models produced in the most prominent work-
shops in Byzantium. Rich imperial gifts or perhaps commissions of the Bulgarian aristocrats to the workshops in the Capital city or the major seats of the Empire gave splendour to life.
Veliki Preslav, the Capital city of Bulgaria in the course of less than a century, sensed most vigorously the cultural breath of Byzantium. The entire city was splendid – the buildings, the garments, the table, and the ceremonial adopted also from the Byzantine court. Even the scarce remains of the grandeur reveal the pursuit of reaching the prestige of Byzantium and leveling to it. The workshops for painted ceramics achieved acme, the stone tracery on the walls acquired the impression of chiaroscuro. Within the jewels and everyday objects we find the amalgamation of the Bulgarian vogue and taste, and the artistry and techniques of the Byzantine workshops.
The fabulous Preslav Treasure well illustrates this synthesis. The good fortune has bestowed the idea of the true level of luxury often described by the authors of the 10th century. It alone has survived the plunder – to show us the magnificent enamels and precious stones glowing on the gold of the crown and the necklace or the rest of the exquisite heavy jewels gathered in haste and buried into the ground to reach us and prove the myth. We have also the extraordinary cross – reliquary decorated with images and scenes executed in niello technique. Still another value is the pectoral icon with the image of St. Virgin Mary bulgaria tour.
The significance of all that the Bulgarian collections treasure lies in its origins and its location in territories still covered by Bulgaria as they offer good possibilities for interpretation. This refers to the numerous artifacts of every day standards as well as to the technological inventions or the huge amount of coins and seals.
The artistic heritage and the works associated with the religious practice – liturgical objects, embroideries and painted holy images add a peculiar prestige to this exhibition. Four icons present the assembly of the most remarkable works of the easel painting known from the collections of the Bulgarian museums – the ceramic icon of St. Theodore from Veliki Preslav (10th century) – the only one known of its kind, the outstanding mosaic icon of St. Virgin Mary from Thrace – a precious imperial gift (13th – 14th century), the icon of St. Virgin from Nessebar in silver facing donated by the uncle of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander (1342), and the two – sided icon from Poganovo Monastery (14th century), incredible in its artistry. A gallery of painted images from the Church of St. Nicholas in Melnik, and wall paintings from churches and artifacts from the post-Byzantine Age shape the notion of this profound wealth and illustrate the eternal relationship between Bulgaria and Byzantium.
Here we may find the deep sense of the exhibition revealing the nature and the spirits of the Bulgarian Medieval culture.
Margarita Vaklinova
1-FLOOR MOSAIC FROM THE APSE OF ST. SOPHIA CHURCH IN SOFIA (SERDICA)
First half of the 4th century
Opus tesselatum, Opus vermiculatum; tesserae of fine-grain marble with grey and cream-coloured spots, red ferrous quartz, cream-coloured quartz, fine-grain calcareous sandstone, quartz in ochre, blue-greyish dolomite, greenish andesite, glass 2,70 x 2,60 x 0,10 m
Discovered during the archaeological research of St. Sophia Church in 1893, flout 1 m frdoze Oie Zoor. It decorated the apse of the earliest cemetery church in eastern Serdica necropolis.
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University Centre
Varna is the second largest University Centre in the country and also has a Naval School, opened in 1881 when the Russian fleet was transferred to Varna.
Notable monuments are: Museum of History and Art in the former girls’ high school built in the last century. The museum was opened to mark the 13th centenary of the Bulgarian State, founded in 681. The museum has 40 exhibition halls, three of which show artefacts from the famous Varna Necropolis. Also on display are other ancient finds, and artefacts from the Middle Ages and the National Revival period. There is an art gallery exhibiting modern Bulgarian art.
District History Museum, 7 Osmi Noemvri Street, tel. 2-24-23: Archaeological Museum, 5 Sheinovo Street, tel. 2-30-62; Ethnographic Museum, 22 Panagyurishte Street, tel. 2-00-80; Museum of the Working-Class Revolutionary Movement, 3 Osmi Noemvri Street; Museum-Park Wladyslaw Warnenczik;Navy Museum‘ 2 Chervenoarmeiski Blvd. tel.
2-24-06; The Art Gallery, 65 Lenin Blvd, tel. 2-42-81; Georgi Velchev Museum, 8 Zhechka Karamfilova Street, tel. 2-56-39; Natural Science Museum in the Maritime Gardens, tel. 2-82-94; Aquarium and Museum, 4 Chervenoarmeiska Street, tel. 2-41-93 turkey sightseeing.
The Roman Thermae, built in the 2nd century.
The Roman Bath from the 3rd-4th century.
St Nicholas Church 1866
The Cathedral of the Holy Virgin, erected in the centre of Varna in 1886. The iconostasis and the bishop’s throne are the work of master-woodcarvers from Debur, while the icons were painted by a group of Russian painters.
I he Pantheon Memorial in the Maritime Gardens.
The National Revival Alley in the Maritime Gardens, with busts of outstanding figures of that period.
Dimiter Blagoev Monument in the boulevard of the same name, s’
Karel Skorpil Monument, founder of Bulgarian archaeology.
The Monument to Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship, near the Yuri Gagarin stadium.
Hotels: Cherno More, three stars, 35 Georg) Dimitrov Blvd. tel. 3-40-88; Odessa, 1 Georgi Dimitrov Blvd, three stars, with 170 beds, restaurant, bar, coffee shop, information desk, rent-a-car service. Tel. 2-53-12; Moussala, 3 Moussala Street, tel. 2-26-02; Orbita, 25 V.Kolarov Street, tel. 2-51-62; Preslav, 1 Avram Gachev Street, tel, 2-25-83; Repoublika, September Ninth Square, tel. 2-83-53.
Tourist Information Bureau, 6 Koloni Street, tel. 2-28-03.
Balkantourist Bureau, 3 Moussala Street, tel. 2-55-24 and 2-08-07.
Balkan Airlines Office, 2 Shipka Street, tel. 2-29-48.
The Union of Bulgarian Motorists, 9 Dr Zamenhov Street, tel. 2-62-93.
The Rila International Bureau, 3 Shipka Street, tel 2-62-73.
In the Dianavaraster section are the foundations of a basilica from the 6th century with some marble columns, capitals and cornices and a receptacle containing mortal remains, decorated with precious stones, standing between two reliquaries of silver and marble.
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Nowadays Veliko Tumovo
Nowadays Veliko Tumovo is one of Bulgaria’s university towns with many secondary and special schools, a theatre, an art gallery and museums.
Major historical monuments and tourist sites
Tsarevets — a fortified hill, towering over the Yantra fortress wall, the defence towers, Patriarch’s residence and As- sension Church and palace.
District History Museum
District History Museum is the country’s second largest. Displayed here are many monuments of Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, Slavonic and Bulgarian cultures.
Holy Martyrs Church (1230) with its famous stone columns with inscriptions by Khan Omourtag and Tsar Ivan As- sen III.
Church of St Dimiter is at the foot of the Trapezitsahiil.
It was in this church that Peter and Assen declared the 1185 Uprising against Byzantine domination.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul, built and painted in the 14th century.
The National Revival Museum in the Nikoli Inn.
Old Gurko Street is a typical Turnovo street. Most of the houses here were built during Ottoman rule. Of particular interest are Granny Mata’s house and Sarafka’s house.
Monuments; Velcho Conspiracy monument, erected in 1935 to commemorate the centenary of the uprising; Vassil Levskimonument; to those who died in the wars of 1885, 1912-1913 and 1915-1918.
Hotels: Veliko Turnovo, 2 Emil Popov St., 195 rooms, restaurant, day bar and night club cafe, free shop, hairdresser’s, indoor swimming pool, rent-a-car bureau. Tel. 3-05-71 sofia sightseeing. Etur, 4 Ivailo St., 7 floors, two stars, 12 suites, 128 beds; restaurant, night club, hairdresser’s, rent-a-car and information office. Tel. 2-68-51, Yantra, 1 Velchova Zavera St., two stars, 4 floors, 2 suites and 105 beds, restaurant, night club, cafe, information and rent-a-car office. Tel. 2-03-91.
Union of Bulgarian Motorists — 6 Tolbukhin St. Tel.: 2-14-69.
Some 50 km from Vehko Turnovo along E-85 is the pictu-resque town of Gabrovo. On the way is Dryanovo (pop. 11,0), situated on the banks of River Dryanovo. In the Middle Ages there was a Bulgarian fortress built on the plateau over the Dryanovo Monastery. In the Tryavna Pass in 1190 Peter and Assen defeated troops of the Byzantine Emperor Isaak Angel II and laid the foundations of the Second Bulgarian State. The mins of the Roman Diskoduraterra fortress are 7-8 km to the northeast. The town was most prosperous during the National Revival. It is the birth place of the great Bulgarian builder and architect, Master Kolyu Ficheto.
Tourist sights: The Kolyu Ficheto Museum — an original house built in traditional Bulgarian national style. Church of St Nikola was built by Kolyu Ficheto in 1851, The Lafchiev house 1840, is a masterpiece of National Revival architecture.
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