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Samuil Fortress
Anita Valentinova, 23.05.2009
Samuil fortress is the name of a medieval fortress, located between the mountains Belasitsa and Ograzhden in the picturesque gorge of Kliuch.
Samuil fortress is situated on a hill on the banks of Strumeshnitsa tiver, 5km to the north of the village Kliuch. It is believed that it was built in the period 1009-1013 during the time of the reign of Bulgarian king Samuil and it is a part of a huge fortification system.
In fact, defence facilities are spread over 8km. The fortress itself, which has become popular as Samuil fortress, is only a part of this fortification system. It has been built on the foundations of Thracian and Slav settlements.
Rectangular stone foundations of a wooden observation tower, which has been closely connected with the stone wall, were found on the highest top of the hill.
The location of Samuil fortress makes possible the observation of the whole gorge and thus it has been used as control military and strategy station for all parts of the fortification system.
The construction of the fortress represents all architectural features typical for the First Bulgarian Kingdom.
A major Bulgarian defeat happened in the area. There, in 1014, one of the most dramatic tragedies in Bulgarian history took place. The Byzantine Emperor Vasilii II defeated the troops of Bulgarian king Samuil. Nearly 14 000 Bulgarians were taken as prisoners. The emperor has ordered the captured 14 000 Bulgarian solders to be blinded as one leader with one eye has been left in each group of 100 people. The king Samuil survived the battle. However, the view of defeated and blinded soldiers caused his death.
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