NETWORK OF SECRET TUNNELS UNDER BULGARIA’S MEDIAEVAL CAPITAL PLISKA

Bulgaria’s medieval capital Pliska continues to reveal its secrets. Bulgarian archaeologists discovered a tunnel survived the fire set by the troops of the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus in 811.

A network of secret underground tunnels existed under the ancient capital. One of the tunnels is unique because it was made of wood and its original coverage can be easily seen even today.

So far, 20 metres from the passage have been uncovered. Unlike other secret tunnels discovered earlier on the site, this one has a diversion to the west and passes under the iconic stone arena.

Stanislav Stanilov, a Bulgarian archaeologist, explains that the purpose of such tunnels at the time was to allow rulers to leave the fortresses incognito and come back incognito.

The secret tunnels under Pliska have been subject to archaeological examination for 7 years.