Bulgarian Capitals

The capital of the First Bulgarian State, founded by Khan Asparukh, is Pliska (northeastern Bulgaria). For over two centuries from the establishment of the Bulgarian State in 681 until 893 the town was the main political, military, cultural and economy center of the country. Besides however Pliska is one of the most impressive monuments of the medieval town construction. In the year 893 Tsar Simeon moved the capital into Preslav (northeastern Bulgaria). Veliki Preslav – the second capital of the First Bulgarian State, was raised on the left bank of the Ticha River during the first half of 9th century. It did not took long time to turn Preslav into literary center, as an impressive library having lots of translated and original works was built here. After Byzantine conquered the northeastern Bulgaria in 971 the Bulgarian patriarch Damyan moved his residence in Sredets (now Sofia). Later in the period 977-983 Tsar Samuil launched an offensive in Thrace, Macedonia, Greece, and Peloponnesus without facing serious resistance. He declared Prespa capital and built a palace there. Soon after that Samuil moved the capital into Ohrid. In 1018 the Byzantine army conquered Bulgaria. In the spring of 1187 Bulgaria is under Byzantine’s rule. Then the Emperor Isaak II Angel had to declare the resumption of the Bulgarian State north from the Balkan Mountain. And Veliko Tarnovo was declared the capital of the Second Bulgarian State. Today the old capital celebrates its official holiday. On March 22, 1879 (April 3 by the new style), following the proposal of Prof. Marin Drinov, Sofia was declared capital of Bulgaria.