Belogradchik fortress. Bulgarian castles

History

Belogradchik Rocks are unique rock formations, located in the western part of Stara Planina, 52 km. southwest the town of Vidin, 182 km. away from Sofia and 68 km. from Montana.
Astonishing rock formations form a strip which is 30 km. long and 15 km. wide.
Belogradchik Fortress, as well called Belogradchik Kale was build among these inaccessible rocks, when Bulgarian state hasn’t been founded, and the Balkan Peninsula was in the borders of the Roman Empire.
In order to strengthen it better, in the first two ages of its rule on the Balkan Peninsula, Romans make enormous efforts to build comfortable (strategic and commercial) roads. At this time (3rd century AD) was probably built the castellum near Belogradchik. It had to control this part of the road, from the town of Ritsaria (near the present village of Archar, Vidin Region) to the internal part of the Empire. In this manner, the beginning of the construction of the fortress among Belogradchik Rocks was set.
In the surrounding areas, remaining from other fortress constructions are preserved as well along with watch towers - near the village of Kladrub (late Roman settlement Kambustika) , near the village of Granichak in the locality Hanishte, near the village of Dabravka and other places – totally 17 in number.
For the construction, Romans used natural inaccessibility of the rocks, as they put up only two walls in the northwest and southeast. On the other sides, as walls serve two huge rock solids, 80-100 m high. The fortress walls were strong, with thickness in the fundamentals from 4 to 5 m, and 12-15 m high. This Roman castellum used to be a watch fortress. It had two water reservoirs, dug in the rocks, about 5 m. deep. Which filled with snow and rain water and this quantity of water was kept as emergency supply.
Not far from the fortress, the ruins of a Roma aqueduct were found. In the northwest part of the castellum, an almost untouched basement was discovered, which probably build later by the Bulgarians was.
Few hundred meters southwest of the fortress, on a lonely slope rock, the remaining of another old fortification is situated, which was useful to the Roman castellum.
The Roman castle not only had to watch, control and guard the road, but to transmit and retransmit massaged mainly with military characteristics, with the help of different signals. For signal, Roman used fire - at night, and smoke in the day, and when it was foggy they beat kettle drums. Another castellum accepted the signal, transmitted it to third and in this manner, massages reached its purpose.
In the year of 359, when the separation of the Roman Empire occurred, Balkan lands entered in the Byzantium borders.
In the 6th century on the Balkan Peninsula, the Slavonic attacks began. This major threat from the north, persuaded Byzantine Emperor Justinian 1st (527- 565) to build several fortification posts. For these fortification activities the chronicler Prokopii wrote: “The old fortifications were reconstructed and 400 new castellums, fortresses and towns were built”.
Especially important was the Balkan defence zone. Belogradchik castellum belong to it, and takes important part, thanks to its strategic place. But it, as well as many others, could not resist the united Slavonic and Protobulgarian pressure, who in the end of the 7th century won the right to existence of the new Bulgarian state and stayed forever on these places.
With the formation of the Bulgarian state, a new period of the Belogradchik Fortress began. During these initial centuries, Bulgarian rulers gave it different importance.
Up to 15th – 19th century, Belogradchik fortress preserved its Middle Ages Bulgarian appearance. Later Turkish, performed some additional fortification works and new constructions on the fortress walls. The use of the Fortress at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century appears to relate to the Austrian Marches against Turkish in 1683 – 1689, 1714 – 1718 and 1735-1739. Fortification of the fortress was caused by the desire of the Turkish to strengthen their positions in this part of the Empire. Many sources point that here a haidouk movement and rebellions of the local population.
Reorganization of Belogradchik Fortress for firearm weapon started in 1805 under the management of French fortificators and finished in 1837 by Italian Engineers. After this reorganization the fortress occupies 10 211 sq. m. It was divided into three parts, separated each other with stone portal and massive iron gates. The fortress wall is depending on the lay, had different height – from 3 to 15 m, and the wall thickness in the base from 2 to 2.5 m.
The fortress wall had 350- 400 battle towers for firearm weapon; build at the place of the Bulgarian teeth shaped embrasures. There, where the Bulgarian battle towers used to be put up, Turkish build three armament platforms. Today are preserved a lot the the sentry premises and some of the basement, which were used as dungeons and stores.
In the beginning, Belogradchik fortress was geared by the Turkish male population, who was free by taxes and fees. In the security of the fortress were engaged several hundred people, but on case of danger it could shelter 1 000 -1500 people. During the period 1837 – 1867 in the fortress, army was constantly present, which took the defence of the town and the region.
In 1850, the fortress had negative part for the defeat of the Belogradchik rebellion. For some time after 1885, in the fortress a garrison was situated, and after the barracks were build in the town, it lost its military significance. Even in 1890, municipal authority in Belogradchik decided to sell the stones of the fortress to the citizens for construction. This intention was frustrated by the local Shepards, who reorganized the fortress for farming purpose.
Its use in a new manner and the lack of maintenance, lead to some destruction of the walls, battle towers and the fortress premises.
However specialists consider it as one of the best preserved fortress in Bulgaria. Immediately after its declaration as a cultural monument, it was restored and now is reorganized for public visits.

Legends

The legend of the Belogradchik Rocks

Ages ago, between Belogradchik rocks, female and male monasteries were put up. Early in the morning, monastery bells called for prayer, the dedicated to God nuns. The youngest among them, the novice Valentina, couldn’t hide under the cassock her beauty. Only once in the year, at St. Peter’s Day, the people had the right to visit the Monastery. At such holiday, destiny met the young Nun with the proud Roman Patrician Antonio. Day by day followed of happy dreaming. Until one night…Antonio climbed up the thrown rope and stepped the doorstep of her cell. The sin was done.
Quiet and calm night passed by of love words and sweet hugs. Love is a wonder magic. It has its laws and the mind, as strong it is, steps aside. But soon their forbidden love was disclosed. Behind the thick monastery walls, everything could be hidden but not a child cry. Valetina was disclosed and put in front of the Council of monks and nuns. They were thinking a lot, what to be her sentence. Valentina was listening with resignation, cuddled with a warm hug the child. Eventually, they decided to expel her from the monastery. To roam, humiliated and condemned, as a symbol of betrayal and rejected virginity and virtue in the woman.
Monks get back slowly to their monastery. Valentina, expelled and cursed, stayed in front of the gates with the child in her arms. At this time, Antonio was on the hill road, on his white horse, and he didn’t suspect any disclosure as well the cruel sentence. And a miracle happened. God sent a storm, and an earthquake – the monastery lay in ruins. Everything inside turned into stone. Valentina Turned into a stone Madonna with the child in her arms. All they exist until now. – Madonna with the child, the Horseman and the Monks, who were walking to their monastery.