Shumen Fortress
Shumen fortress is one of the biggest and most interesting remaining in the Bulgarian lands and is included in the historical, archaeological reserve. Shumen fortress, which is located in the park Shumen Plateau is located only 3 km west of the town of Shumen. Itself Shumen fortress has interesting ruins that dominate high above the surrounding area and the spot of the fortress is known as the Old City of Shumen.
It is believed that this fort was a high plateau for more than 3200 years. There were even societies in the early Iron Age in the 12th century BC. Over the centuries, ancestors of today's Shumen fortress are rising including, Thracians, Romans, Byzantines and Bulgarians. Most likely, the fortification was built on four platforms in the early and late antiquity and in the Middle Ages was extended.
The official version of the first fort there is thought that it is by the Thracian tribe around 1200 BC. Its fortress walls are surrounding flat access to the south and west meadow.
In the fifth century BC Shumen fortress was reinforced with a second wall parallel to it, which currently falls under the outer wall of the medieval city.
While the Slavs inhabited the lands around the Shumen fortress, Avars conquered but failed to destroy it. A little later its structure was restored by the Bulgarian king, Khan Omurtag. In the ninth century th citadel of Shoumen fortress was built. After this time it again became an important center and principal office of city rulers. It is believed that during this period occurs and the name itself, Shumen.
There are two versions about the origin of the name. First is that Shumen comes from the name of King Simeon the Great, the relationship between the names Simeonis - Shimeonis - Shumen.
The second hypothesis is that the name comes from the noise, which comes from a heavily forested place with many forests.
Because of its proximity to the Bulgarian ccities Pliska and Preslav, Shoumen fortress was essential and had an important military role during the First Bulgarian Empire. In 1001 Shoumen fortress was conquered by the Byzantines, but in 30 or 40 years of the 11th century was destroyed by Pechenegs. A little later again it was restored.
Shumen fortress is one of the best studied archaeological sites in Bulgaria. According to research it reached its biggest rise during the Second Bulgarian Empire. In those medieval times Shumen fortress was used primarily as a military fortification, but it was quite different and had more functions.
The most stable reconstruction of the Shumen fortress was made during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The vulnerable part of the fortress had been secured with an external belt, the new entrance to the Shoumen fortress was made slightly to the right and for security another watchtower has been built.
Shumen fortress is the largest historical landmark in the town of Shumen. It is included in the list of 100 national tourist sites of the Bulgarian Tourist Union. To see the remains of the Shoumen fortress you can do so throughout the year. Also you can see the museum, which is built into the fortress.
