Architecture Second_Bulgarian_Empire

the network of cities in second bulgarian empire grew in 13th , 14th centuries; numerous new urban centres rose prominence. cities constructed in difficult-to-access locations , consisted of inner , outer town. nobility lived in inner town, included citadel, while citizens inhabited outer town. there separate neighbourhoods nobility, craftsmen, merchants, , foreigners. capital tarnovo had 3 fortified hills—tsarevets, trapezitsa, , momina krepost, built along meanders of yantra river. several neighbourhoods along river s banks including separate quarters western europeans , jews.

fortresses built on hills , plateaus—the byzantine historian niketas choniates said bulgarian castles in balkan mountains situated @ heights above clouds . built crushed stones welded plaster, in contrast monumental ensembles in north-east of country dating period of first empire. gates , more vulnerable sections secured pinnacled towers; these rectangular there irregular, circular, oval, triangular, or horseshoe-shaped towers.

the church of holy mother of god in donja kamenica

religious architecture prestigious; churches among decorated , solid edifices in country. throughout 13th , 14th centuries, basilicas replaced cruciform, domed churches 1 or 3 naves. church s exteriors had rich, decorative ornamentation alternating belts of stone , brickwork. further decorated green, yellow, , brown ceramic pieces. feature seen in several churches in messembria, including church of st john aliturgetos , 14th century church of christ pantocrator—which had rows of blind arches, four-leaved floral motifs, triangular ornaments, circular turquoise ceramics, , brick swastika friezes running along external walls. every church in tsarevets—over 20—and many of 17 churches in trapezitsa decorated similar techniques. rectangular belfry above narthex typical characteristic of architecture of tarnovo artistic school. churches, such holy mother of god in asen s fortress built during byzantine rule, reconstructed belfries.

the church of holy mother of god in donja kamenica in western part of bulgarian empire (in modern serbia) notable unusual architectural style. twin towers topped off sharp-pointed pyramidal elements, additional sharp-pointed details in each of pyramids 4 corners. towers , design entirely unusual , unprecedented in medieval bulgarian church architecture , influence hungary or transylvania.

the ruins of nobility house in tarnovo

the imperial palace in tarnovo bolyar castle; underwent 2 major reconstructions under ivan asen ii (r. 1218–41) , ivan alexander (r. 1331–71). palace had shape of irregular ellipse , built-up area of 5,000 m (54,000 sq ft). walls 2 m (6.6 ft) thick. entrance gates guarded round , rectangular towers; main entrance located in round tower of northern façade. edifices built around inner yard richly decorated royal church in middle. patriarch palace situated on highest point of tsarevets , dominated city. plan resembled of imperial palace , occupied 3,000 m (32,000 sq ft). four-cornered bell tower adjoined patriarchal cathedral of holy ascension of god. residential , office sections located in southern part of edifice.

few examples of nobility houses have survived. north of imperial palace, foundations of bolyar house beginning of 13th century have been excavated. had Г-shaped plan , consisted of residential area , small, one-nave church. there 2 types of mass dwellings; semi-dug houses , overground houses. latter constructed in cities , had 2 stories; lower floor built crushed stones soldered mud or plaster , second built timber.