Pliska

2km of the modern town of Pliska is situated an archeological reserve, representing the face of the first Bulgarian capital.

By the end of the 17th century, proto- Bulgarian tribe, leaded by Khan
Asparuh, settled in the area south of Danube. It is assumed that the
Slavs used to live in that fields.
The proto- Bulgarians founded the First Bulgarian State in 681AC and
Pliska became the first capital until 893AC.

The ancient capital was established on an open wide field, and
was surrounded by three defensive banks. The first one, surrounding the
outer face of the town, was a ditch with a high mound. The second wall
was made of huge stones, forming around 2.5m high fortified wall.
Each wall had two pentagonal towers and a gate. The main entrance was
on the east side of the city wall.
The third wall was brick fortification, protecting the Citadel.

During the period between 681 and 811AC was erected the Khan
Krum's palace. The palace occupied an area of 5 hectares, and had
practically a square form.

Under Khan Omurtag between 811 and 864AC, were built two
palaces, the Small and the Big one. They were by the stone and the
brick walls.

Between 864 and 893AC was built The Big Basilica- the biggest Christian church in the whole Balkan Peninsula.

Most Bulgarian obtained salvation in this church. Here Prince
Boris I welcomed the scholars of Kornishki. There is also a museum with
a collection of remains, discovered in archeological expeditions in the
area.

Source: visit.bg