This is the prototype of the town of Targovishte. It dates from the period of early Byzantine and medieval Bulgarian history (IV-VI, IX-X, XII-XIV centuries). It is located in Parka, 7 km. southwest of the town of Targovishte, and 1 kilometer walk from the first-class road Sofia – Varna, in the “Derventa” pass, on an elevation of the Preslavska Stara planina. In the 60s of the 20th century, the ruins of a fortress, located on an area of 19 decares, were discovered, which local legend connects with the victory of Khan Krum over the Byzantine emperor Nicephorus. Fortress walls with towers, two basilicas (V-VII centuries), an early Bulgarian settlement (IX-X centuries), a gate of the late medieval fortress (XII-XIV centuries) mark the beginning.
The renewed archaeological research of the fortress and its surroundings in the last decade has completely overturned the notions of antiquity. Instead of an ordinary guard fortress, a medieval city arose here – a large and flourishing, commercial and spiritual Christian center that existed from the beginning of the 4th to the end of the 14th century. A description was given to us in the 12th century by the Arab traveler Al Idrisi. He tells about “…a large, populous city founded in ancient times… There is an office for Russia in it. It is a flourishing city. There are crowded markets and abundant natural resources. It is situated on a mountain.”
The fortifications surround an area of 120 decares, and during its heyday in the 14th century, the city spread over 700 decares. For ten centuries, Misionis played a key role in the trade of early Byzantium and the Bulgarian medieval state, with importance for the defense of the Bulgarian capitals Veliki Preslav and Veliko Tarnovo. The flourishing city was mercilessly looted, destroyed and burned by the Ottoman conquerors at the end of the 14th century. The historical memory of him fades away. It was only at the end of the 20th century that the memory of the town of Misionis was resurrected and revived in people’s minds. Today, the findings from the studies of the town of Misionis are shown in the permanent Archaeological exhibition of the Regional History Museum – Targovishte. The fortress can be visited independently / for free / or for a paid tour with a tour guide from the information center located in the Hunting Park, at the beginning of the road to the fortress or by prior request at the Regional Historical Museum – Targovishte.
Work time:
May – September:
Monday-Friday: 9:00-17:30
Saturday: 9:30-16:00 Sunday: 9:30-13:00
October – April:
Monday: 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Entrance fees:
Regular: BGN 4
Reduced: BGN 3
Contacts:
Year-round – For inquiries, information, pre-orders, guided tours and printing:
REGIONAL HISTORICAL MUSEUM – TRADE
7700, Targovishte, “Metropolit Andrey” St. No. 2
phone/fax: 0601 / 6-52-16, 0879 183 449
