RESTORED MEDIAEVAL FORTRESS OF MARKELI OPENED TO VISITORS

The mediaeval fortress of Markeli near the town of Karnobat, Southeastern Bulgaria, has opened its doors to visitors again. The restoration of the historical site was done with European funds.

A reenactment of the battle of Marcellae, (in 792 AD) between the armies of the Bulgarian ruler Khan Kardam and the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the VI took place at the opening ceremony.

More than 2,000 tourists watched the reenactment of the battle, which the Bulgarian Khan Krum won and thus the stronghold “Markeli” was taken from the Byzantines.

To attract more visitors, the municipality in the town of Karnobat say they will hold reenactments of the battle every year. Eighty participants from various martial arts clubs and horse riding clubs in Bulgaria gathered to reconstruct the battle.

So far, archaeologists have explored only small part of the stronghold facilities, which in its flourishing state was situated on an area of 460 decares. Twelve battle towers, complex water supply facility,a Christian basilica, built on top of an earlier temple and a martyrium with the remains of a saint were found in the historical site.

In one of the rooms of the fortress, archaeologists have discovered a gold treasure, which in on display in the museum of archaeology in Karnobat, along with a murel depicting St. George and elements of a medieval mosaic.