Medieval Fortress of the city of Lovech

You are standing at one of the most significant places in the history of Bulgaria – the medieval fortress of the city of Lovech! Situated on the Hisarya hill, it rises above the city as an eternal guardian of its past. From here, battles were fought, fateful truces were concluded, and today the fortress tells its stories to everyone who steps over its ancient walls.

The hill on which you stand was not always a fortress – the first people lived here back in the Stone Age! Archaeologists have discovered remains of dwellings, ceramic vessels and even a gold applique. Centuries later, the Thracians also chose this place as their home, and the discovered fragments of ceramics and ancient amphorae are evidence of the lively life that boiled here.

With the arrival of the Romans in the 1st century AD. the settlement moved to the plain, but as soon as the “barbarian” tribes began their attacks in the 3rd century, people again sought safety on this naturally protected hill.

The Creation of the Fortress

The fortress began its true role as a strategic fortification in the 9th century, during the First Bulgarian Empire. Situated on two naturally protected terraces, it initially had a primarily defensive function – few people lived here, mostly military, clergy and their families.

As time progressed, the fortress expanded and by the end of the 12th century it was already the citadel of the medieval town of Lovech. This was an era of construction boom – new residential, commercial and religious buildings were built, and the town itself was divided into three architectural complexes.

The Heroic Siege of 1187

One of the most significant events in the history of the fortress occurred in 1187, when Byzantium tried to crush the emerging Second Bulgarian Empire. Emperor Isaac II Angel led a large army to capture Lovech, but the defenders of the fortress withstood the onslaught.

After the unsuccessful siege, the Byzantines were forced to retreat and here, in Lovech, the historic truce was concluded, with which Byzantium officially recognized the independence of Bulgaria. This was a turning point that turned the Lovech Fortress into one of the symbols of the revived Bulgarian statehood.

Royal residence and the era of Ivan Alexander

At the beginning of the 14th century, the fortress became the home of one of the most significant Bulgarian rulers – Despot Ivan Alexander, who would later become the Tsar of Bulgaria (from 1331 to 1371). During his rule, Lovech became an important political and cultural center.

A century later, during the Ottoman invasion, the fortress of the city of Lovech again became the arena of fierce battles. The Bulgarians fought fiercely for its preservation, but after long and bloody battles, the Ottomans captured it.

Archaeological finds and the secrets of the fortress

In the 1960s, archaeologist Yordanka Changova began excavations that revealed extremely interesting finds. The remains of seven churches were discovered, some of which have a rare architecture known only in Constantinople and Nicaea.

Among the finds are two collective treasures of silver coins depicting Tsar Ivan Alexander and his son Michael. One find contains 16 coins, and the other - as many as 1430 silver coins, hidden in a ceramic vessel.

All these discoveries reveal the highly developed culture and economy of medieval Lovech.

The fortress today - history that comes to life before your eyes

Today, the fortress has been restored and is open to visitors, becoming one of the most impressive landmarks of the city. A walk through its ruins gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere, see the foundations of the old buildings and imagine how they looked centuries ago.

At the highest point of the fortress you will see the huge metal cross erected on the foundations of the metropolitan church.

From here a breathtaking panorama opens up – the whole of Lovech will spread out before you, the Osam River will wind between the hills, and in the distance you will notice traces of the ancient Roman road that connected the city with other important trading centers.

If you are here after sunset, the fortress will enchant you even more – since 2005 it has been equipped with night lighting, which gives it a mystical and majestic appearance, similar to that of Tsarevets in Veliko Tarnovo.

As you walk through these ancient ruins, imagine how soldiers guarded the walls, how kings made important decisions in their palace and how over the centuries this place was the scene of great events.

Take photos, enjoy the view and feel the spirit of the past – because the fortress is not just stones and walls, but a story waiting to be told!