Architecture First_Bulgarian_Empire

the ruins of pliska, first capital of bulgaria

the bulgarians constructed forts residences, called contemporary byzantine authors auls, or fortified palaces. example of type of construction aul of omurtag, mentioned in chatalar inscription, bears many similarities pliska, such presence of baths , usage of monumental construction techniques large carved limestone blocks. archaeologists have discovered damaged lion statue 1 m in height , matches description in inscription: in field of pliska staying [omurtag] made court/camp (aulis) @ [the river] ticha ... , skillfully erected bridge @ ticha camp [he put] 4 columns , above columns erected 2 lions. same method of construction employed in fortress on danubian island of păcuiul lui soare (in modern romania), gate similar in plan @ pliska, preslav , aul of omurtag. further north on southern slopes of carpathian mountains located fortress slon, important juncture connected salt mines of transylvania lands south of danube, , constructed in same manner.

the second capital preslav covered area of 5 km in shape of irregular pentagon , pliska divided inner , outer town. city experienced extensive construction programme under simeon intended rival constantinople. inner town contained 2 palaces, called archaeologists western palace , throne hall linked. few elements of decoration have survived –  marble plates , 2 monolith columns of green marble enclosed arch above throne. whole complex larger pliska palace , walled bath adjoining southern wall. ceremonial road covered stone plates linked northern gate , palace complex , formed spacious plaza in front of it. outer town housed estates, churches, monasteries, workshops , dwellings. adjoined outer side of southern gates of inner town there large trading edifice 18 rooms commerce on first floor , accommodation rooms on second. common plan of commercial, artesian , residential monastic edifices rectangular first floor being used production, , second one –  living. of buildings had marble or ceramic tile floors, , others had verandas on second floor. there 2 types of plumbing – made of masonry or of clay pipes brought water mountains city.

sacral architecture

after adoption of christianity in 864, intensive construction of churches , monasteries began throughout empire. many of them erected on old pagan temples. new sacral architecture altered appearance of cities , fortresses. construction sponsored state donations rich people, known ktitors. among first places of worship constructed after 864 great basilica of pliska. 1 of biggest structures of time, contemporary europe s longest church, rectangular shape reaching 99 m in length. basilica divided 2 equal parts – a spacious atrium , main building.

during reign of simeon i domed cruciform type of church building introduced , same dominate country s sacral architecture. preslav adorned tens of churches , @ least 8 monasteries. churches decorated ceramics, plastic elements , variety of decorative forms. leading example of city s ecclesiastic architecture splendid round church. domed rotunda two-tiered colonnade in interior , walled atrium niches , columns. style of church had been influenced armenian, byzantine , carolingian architecture. there number of cave monasteries, such murfatlar cave complex, excavations have revealed stone relief murals , inscriptions in 3 alphabets – glagolitic, cyrillic , greek, bulgar runes.

in region of kutmichevitsa south-west, clement of ohrid oversaw construction of monastery of saint panteleimon , 2 churches round , spherical form in late 9th century. in 900 monastery of saint naum established @ expense of pious bulgarian tsar michael-boris , son tsar simeon on shores of lake ohrid @ 30 km south of town major literary centre. other important buildings church of saint sophia in ohrid basilica of saint achillius on , island in lake prespa dimensions of 30 х 50 m, both modelled after great basilica of pliska. these churches had 3 naves , 3 apses. preserved edifices period provide evidence of rich , settled bulgarian culture @ time include 3 small churches dated late 9th or 10th centuries in kostur , church in village of german (both in modern greece).