So what Medieval city in Bulgaria isn't complete without its own fortified fortress? I had forgotten to write a blog on this fortress when reporting on Veliko Tărnovo, so needed to go back and share.
This impressive hilltop fortress occupies a commanding position on a rocky hill encircled by the Yantra River. This vantage point was occupied continuously from the 4th millennium BC until 1186!! Tsar Petur made it the capital of the 2nd Bulgarian Kingdom, when the Bulgarian Kings inhabited the royal palace. This empire fell to the Ottomans in 1393, and the fortress was reduced to rubble! Of the original 400 bldgs and 22 churches, only a handful have been fully restored but very impressive to me.
So getting to Communist Jesus... You climb up to the fortress and see nothing but very old bldgs and this small 12c church named Church of Sveti Georgi. You enter expecting to view the typical frescoes of Orthodox saints, and what you find is a cross between NYC street art, and the MOMA. No sure what to think about it, so I nicknamed it "a tribute to Communist Jesus." See for yourself!
I was so impressed with this fortress, that I spent 3 hours here.
Entrance to the Fortress
View of the original walls and Royal Palace
Perched at the rock's highest point is the 13c Church of the Patriarch. Defended by thick walls, it was once part of the patriarch's residential complex.
This is at the main altar!
The frescoes on the walls of the church.
Our Lady of the Communist Jesus comes to mind...
View from Baldwin's Tower, named after Emperor Baldwin of Flanders who was held hostage here in the 13th century. He was wrongly accused of raping the queen (who actually tried to seduce him, but he rejected her desires) and was either executed or committed suicide (the historical story wasn't clear!).
The Executitioner is in town!!! Don't mess with her!!!
View from the fortress of Vekiko Tărnovo and Church of Sveti Nikola.
The Sound and Light show we waited for at the restaurant of our hotel. After being 1.5 hours late, we returned to our room only to view it from our hotel window. Wow, what a treat!
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