Markeli fortress

Location

Markeli fortress is located on the territory of Karnobat municipality, about 8 km west of Karnobat town, 50 km northwest of Burgas city, 3 km northwest of the village of Krumovo gradishte and about 308 km east of Sofia city.

Architecture and General Information

The fortress occupies the western end of Hisar hill, which is a part of the Stara Planina mountain. It covers an area of 4600 acres, and the length of the walls is 530 m. The protective trenches and shafts surrounding the fort as a ring can be seen today. They are one of the largest artificially constructed fortifications found in the Balkan peninsula.

Markeli was unapproachable, and under a siege was supplied with water through a specially constructed water facility, linking the town with the nearby river of Mochuritsa.

The place chosen for the castle was of strategic importance. From the hill where it is located was possible to watch the approaches to the important passages in the Stara Planina mountain - Mokrenski, Varbishki and Rishki and keep a direct eye on a number of fortified villages at the foot of the eastern parts of the Sredna Gora mountain and the Balkan.
The defense of the fortress itself was facilitated by the natural protection of Mochuritsa river and the cliffs to the northwest.

History

During archaeological excavations in the castle are found remains of a medieval basilica from VI century, an old church from X century, a Byzantine church from XI century and many artifacts such as bronze coins from VI-XIII century, fragments of graphite drawings, ceramic mosaics and medieval bronze stamps.

It is assumed that Markeli was built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperors Anastasius I and Justinian I, to defend the Byzantine territory from enemy attacks. In 756 AD near the frontier fortress fought a battle between the Bulgarian khan Vineh and Constantine V, which the khan lost. In 792 khan Kardam defeated the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI and Byzantium was obliged to pay a tribute to the Bulgarian state.

From Markeli the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus I Genik began his march towards the Bulgarian capital Pliska in 811 and was defeated, losing his life. Capturing the fortress in 812 Khan Krum makes it the largest stronghold of the Bulgarians south of the Balkan Mountains. Later the Bulgarian border was moved and Markeli lost its function.

However, as shown by the found coins of the kings Svetoslav Terter and Ivan Alexander, it remains a big Bulgarian fortified town in the late Middle Ages. Markeli was probably destroyed by the Turks in 1371 after the battle of Chernomen and its inhabitants found the town of Karnobat.

Transport

The castle is easily accessible by car from the highway of Trakia and there is a sign to Markeli. A road fork leads to Krumovo Gradishte.

Accommodation

Guests wishing to visit the castle can stay in the city Karnobat that offers hotel rooms.

Sources: http://bg.wikipedia.org; http://www.bulgariainside.com
Photos: http://www.bulgariainside.com