A Short History about the Fortress of Belogradchik
Antiquity: I –
IV century, Middle Ages: VIII – XIV century; and Additional Construction:
1805-1837
The Fortress of
Belogradchik came into being during 1-3 AD as a small fortress. Builders used
the so called elliptic stone terrace with defensive, observant, protective and
communicative functions.
The
archeological excavations have discovered the foundations of walls, fragments,
ceramics, iron spearheads and arrows from the Roman Emperors – Vespasian,
Trajan, Septimius Severus, Gordian III, Trajan Decius. Traces of rectangular
beams and channels guiding rainwater into 85 square meters water supply can also
be seen.
The Fortress was
active until late Antiquity. The ruler of Vidin Ivan Stratsimir (1355-1396)
evaluated its strategic significance. During his reign it was additionally
fortified and enlarged – two partition walls and auxiliary buildings were
constructed, hanging wooden bridges and stone staircases were constructed.
The name of
the castle was first mentioned by Hungarian analyst describing the campaign of
Ludwig First Anjou. The chronicles tell that within three months after seizing
Bdin (June 6th, 1365), all remaining fortresses were also captured, including
the fortress Fehervar (Belogradchik).
The fortress was expelled by rebelled Bulgarians in 1369.
In 1396 it was
conquered by the Ottomans and partially destroyed. 8 guards were accommodated
in 1454-1455 and 100 yrs. later the garrison consisted of 27 people. For all
the period there only minor repairs and improvements were made on the
fortifications.
Entire
reconstruction started in 1805 by a French engineer and was completed in 1837
by Italian fortification specialist. He built 12 m. height stone block walls
which were 2.5 m. wide, 3 fortress yards and 3 portals were formed, strongly
reinforced massive doors with iron bars were provided.
There were
platforms for the 3 canons to increase the defensive capacity. There were
underground storages for food and ammunitions. The guards were positioned in 3
guardrooms equipped with fireplace and stone window seats.
Small living
buildings, craft workshops, sheds for weapons were situated nearby. The barn
resembling an “Indian Tepee”, the flour and salt mill, and the stables were in
the free area of the second yard.
There were two
tanks located in the southern part of the middle yard where rainwater was
collected. Fence were made of thick wood dug firmly in the ground and baskets
full of stones and mold were located near the outside zone.
The fortress
is known with the heroic deed of rebel Velko who had gained control of the
fortress in 1809, and with the heroism of the Bulgarian rebels in 1850, along with
the actions of Panayot Hitov’s unit in 1876.
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