Veliki Preslav

Veliki Preslav, also known as Great Preslav, is a city in Bulgaria. It used to be called just Preslav until 1993. The city sits about 132 meters above sea level and is part of the Veliki Preslav Municipality in Shumen Province.

In the past, Preslav was an important place. From 893 to 972, it was the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire, making it one of the key cities in medieval Southeastern Europe. Today, the old ruins of Preslav are located southwest of the city of Shumen and are protected as a national archaeological reserve.

Veliki Preslav began as a village. It took its current name in 1878 and became a town in 1883. By December 2009, the city had around 8,951 people living there.

History

The city of Preslav has its roots as a Slavic settlement, which grew quickly because it was close to the old Bulgarian capital, Pliska. During the rule of Khans Krum and Omurtag, Preslav became an important military center. After Bulgaria turned to Christianity in 864, many churches were built there.

When Prince Vladimir tried to bring back old traditions in 892, Boris I moved the capital from Pliska to Preslav in 893. For the next 80 years, Preslav grew into a center for politics, culture, and art. It was home to the Preslav Literary School, where important writers lived and worked. The city also had workshops for making beautiful ceramics and tiles.

In the late 960s, the city was attacked and damaged by armies from far away. Though it remained important for some time, its role lessened over the centuries. Today, the nearby town of Veliki Preslav remembers the history of this once-great city.

Population

Education

Veliki Preslav has schools for students to learn different skills. There is a technical high school named after Simeon Veliki and a farming high school where students can study agriculture.

Climate

The climate of Veliki Preslav is typical for the region, with warm summers and cool winters. The city experiences a mix of sunny days and some rainfall throughout the year, which is common for areas at similar altitudes in Bulgaria.

Culture

Veliki Preslav has a special place for learning about history. The town is home to the National Historical and Archaeological Reserve and Museum, where people can see old artifacts and learn about the past.

In 1906, a man named Yordan Gospodinov started an group called the Archaeological Society "Ticha" with help from K. Shkorpil. Every year, the town holds happy May celebrations called "Spring in Preslav." A community center named "Razvitie" was created there in 1874.

Sport

The city has a football club called FC Preslav.