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The town
Veliki Preslav is situated at the foot of the Preslavian Mountain in
immediate proximity to where the Big Kamchia river leaves the gorge
and flows down the vast valley, following its route to the coast of
the Black Sea. The local tribes are said to have settled in those
fertile lands long long time before. Signs of Thracian settlement were
found in some archeological research there. The name of the town has a
Slavonic origin. This proves the theory of dominant Slavonic presence
here since the very first centuries after Bulgaria on the river Danube
was founded in 681. Around the beginning of 9th c. /probably around
the time of wars Krum waged on Byzantium/, the establishment of a
well-consolidated centre was started here. Gradually, in due course of
time, it became an important strategic centre in military aspect and
also the seat of Ichirguboila /a high-ranking dignitary who was third
in rank after the ruler/. The town expanded very much and really fast
in its very first century of existence. It was enclosed by a solid
fortress wall and it was also very well laid out and supplied with
water too. When royal prince Boris imposed Christianity as the
official religion in 864, many churches were built there in order to
show that the town grew up second best in significance after the
capital Pliska. The political life of Bulgaria was tremendously shaken
in 893. Because of Vladimir Rassate's (Boris' first-born son and his
successor as well) striving for reviving the pagan cult, Boris set up
a coup d'etat, dethroned Vladimir and blinded him as a punishment. At
an organized assembly, Vladimir's place was taken by his highly
educated brother, Simeon, and Preslav was proclaimed the new capital
of Bulgaria. In the next 80 years the town developed rapidly and
became the heart not only of politics and diplomacy, but also of many
artistic crafts, remarkable architectural achievements, active
literary and enlightener's activities. A chronicler mentioned that
Simeon had needed 28 years to establish and build up his glorious
capital. However, the archeological excavations proved that the town
continued to develop under the rule of Simeon's son, Petar.
Presumably, it was the 30s and 40s of 10th c. when Preslav reached its
peak in growth and magnificence. Considering the develpoment, planning
and organization of public services and economic gain, Preslav was a
true rival of the biggest and most important city centres like
Konstantinopolus, Baghdad, Magdeburg, etc. Crucial changes occurred
for Bulgarians when tzar Petar died in 969. BorisII had only just
ascended the throne when he had to face the insidiousness of Byzantine
diplomacy. In contrast to his grandfather, Simeon, BorisII could not
manage to retain the independence of the kingdom. Preslav was occupied
by Svetoslav's /Kiev royal prince/ Varangians. Furthermore, in 971 it
was burnt down and ravaged by the army of the Byzantine Emperor, John
Tzimisshi. The magnificence of Preslav was overclouded. The conquerors
took away the treasury, the king's regalii/ the symbols of a ruler's
power/ and a large part of Simeon's library. |