THE FIRST CAPITAL OF DANUBIAN BULGARIA

Two kilometers away from the town of Pliska are the remains of the imposing construction of Pliska –the first capital of Dunabian Bulgariain. 681 is the year of its foundation by Khan Asparouh. It existed till 893 – 894 when the capital was moved to Preslav by Tsar Simeon I the Great. The town consisted of three concentric fortifications. The “Exterior City” is marked by a moat in the ground with a rampart enclosing a rectangular territory of 23 square kilometers. Almost in the middle of the “Exterior City” is situated the interior fortress surrounding the “Interior City”. The fortress has a solid stone wall (2.5 m wide), made of huge slabs. At each corner there was a trapezium – shaped tower, and on each of the four walls there were two five – angled towers and a gate. The main entrance is the east gate. The third inner defensive zone is a solid built brick wall surrounding the citadel situated in the center of the “Interior City”.
The Grand Palace is the best preserved building in the “Interior City”. The throne of the Khan’s Council was situated here. The size of the palace is as follows : 52 meters long and 26.5 meters wide. Khan Omurtag (814 – 831) who rendered great services to turning Pliska into one of the biggest East – European centers in early Middle Ages built it.
The Small Palace occupying territory of 568 square meters. It was the Khan”s residence. Unlike the Grand Palace the Small Palace is more exquisite and richer. Pliska underwent not only great constructions but also a high degree of improvements, as floor heating installation, windows with glasses.