Markeli Fortress

 ruined castle  Add category

The Roman and medieval fortress of Markeli, or Markellai (Marcellae).
During archaeological excavations in the castle are found remains of a medieval basilica from VI century, an old church from X century, a Byzantine church from XI century and many artifacts such as bronze coins from VI-XIII century, fragments of graphite drawings, ceramic mosaics and medieval bronze stamps.
It is assumed that Markeli fortress was built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperors Anastasius I and Justinian I, to defend the Byzantine territory from enemy attacks. In 756 AD near the frontier fortress fought a battle between the Bulgarian khan Vineh and Constantine V, which the khan lost. In 792 khan Kardam defeated the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI and Byzantium was obliged to pay a tribute to the Bulgarian state.
From Markeli the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus I Genik began his march towards the Bulgarian Capital Pliska in 811 and was defeated, losing his life. Capturing the fortress in 812 Khan Krum makes it the largest stronghold of the Bulgarians south of the Balkan Mountains. Later the Bulgarian border was moved and Markeli lost its function.
However, as shown by the found coins of the kings Svetoslav Terter and Ivan Alexander, it remains a big Bulgarian fortified town in the late Middle Ages. Markeli was probably destroyed by the Turks in 1371 after the battle of Chernomen and its inhabitants found the town of Karnobat.

purebulgaria.com/s-237-Markeli_fortress
visit.guide-bulgaria.com/a/224/markeli_fortress.htm
tropter.com/en/bulgaria/karnobat/markeli-fortress
www.mirela.bg/en/naemi/%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%BE%D...
www.hotelmap.bg/karnobat-attraction-markeli-fortress.ht...


www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk84JJXQ0_4