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Gathering of Officials
In the chamber known as the “Lion House,” Kaymakam Pasha, along with viziers, scholars, the Sheikhulislam, and other state officials, assembled.
Announcement of Accession
Meanwhile, cannons fired from various locations, including Saray Point, the Castle of the Seven Towers, the Maiden’s Tower, and forts, to signify the Sultan’s accession while preparations for the deceased ruler’s burial were underway.
Entry into the Holy Relics Department
Kaymakam Pasha, the Master Sheikhulislam, and the Admiral proceeded to the department of Holy Relics where Sultan Selim III awaited. There, ceremonial garments and accessories were bestowed upon them.
Attire Signifying Status
High-ranking officials, including the Chief black eunuch of the Harem and the Sultan’s sword-bearer, were also dressed in fur coats, symbolizing their stature, before entering the “Holy Relics” department.
Preparation for the Sultan’s Arrival
Upon completion of attire arrangements, the Chief white eunuch informed the Sultan of the readiness. Meanwhile, Kaymakam Pasha, the Admiral, and the Sheikhulislam awaited near the Imperial Throne, ensuring everything was in order Istanbul Private Tours Mevlevi.
Sultan’s Entrance and Attire
Finally, Sultan Selim III arrived and took his place on the throne adorned with a scarlet turban, a Yusufi crest, and a jeweled fur cloak called “Kapaniqe,” receiving applause from those present.
This ceremonial event highlights the formalities and protocols observed during the accession of Sultan Selim III, emphasizing the significance of attire and symbolic gestures in Ottoman court ceremonies.
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Gathering of Officials
In the chamber known as the “Lion House,” Kaymakam Pasha, along with viziers, scholars, the Sheikhulislam, and other state officials, assembled.
Announcement of Accession
Meanwhile, cannons fired from various locations, including Saray Point, the Castle of the Seven Towers, the Maiden’s Tower, and forts, to signify the Sultan’s accession while preparations for the deceased ruler’s burial were underway.
Entry into the Holy Relics Department
Kaymakam Pasha, the Master Sheikhulislam, and the Admiral proceeded to the department of Holy Relics where Sultan Selim III awaited. There, ceremonial garments and accessories were bestowed upon them.
Attire Signifying Status
High-ranking officials, including the Chief black eunuch of the Harem and the Sultan’s sword-bearer, were also dressed in fur coats, symbolizing their stature, before entering the “Holy Relics” department.
Preparation for the Sultan’s Arrival
Upon completion of attire arrangements, the Chief white eunuch informed the Sultan of the readiness. Meanwhile, Kaymakam Pasha, the Admiral, and the Sheikhulislam awaited near the Imperial Throne, ensuring everything was in order Istanbul Private Tours Mevlevi.
Sultan’s Entrance and Attire
Finally, Sultan Selim III arrived and took his place on the throne adorned with a scarlet turban, a Yusufi crest, and a jeweled fur cloak called “Kapaniqe,” receiving applause from those present.
This ceremonial event highlights the formalities and protocols observed during the accession of Sultan Selim III, emphasizing the significance of attire and symbolic gestures in Ottoman court ceremonies.
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Raika's Teaching Journey
Raika’s Teaching Journey A Tale of Education and Community Support
Raika’s transition into a teaching career at the age of sixteen reflects the thriving educational landscape of Otluk-kui, or Panagurishti, as known to the Bulgarians.
Flourishing Schools
Otluk-kui boasted three schools—a girls’ school and two boys’ schools—housed in impressive buildings that rivaled those of larger villages in more developed regions. The village’s commitment to education was evident in its well-attended classrooms and dedicated teachers.
Teacher Compensation
Teachers in Otluk-kui received commendable salaries, providing them with comfortable incomes in a region where the cost of living was modest. Raika, alongside three male teachers, earned a yearly salary of sixty pounds, a substantial amount in a community where expenses were minimal Tour Packages Bulgaria.
Raika’s Contribution
Raika’s dedication extended beyond her teaching duties; she allocated half of her salary to repay the literary society for funding her education. Her rapid ascent to the position of headmistress at the girls’ school solidified her standing as a beloved figure in the community.
Community Support
The schools’ success was not solely dependent on government funding but also on the voluntary contributions of the Bulgarian people. This grassroots support demonstrated their collective effort to uplift themselves from a long history of oppression and deprivation.
Raika’s teaching journey symbolizes the resilience and determination of the Bulgarian people to overcome adversity through education and community support. As she nurtured young minds in Otluk-kui, she played a vital role in shaping the future of her village and inspiring hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Raika’s journey from student to teacher highlights the importance of education and community involvement in the upliftment of Bulgarian society. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and the resilience of individuals in the face of hardship.
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Investigating Turkish Atrocities in Bulgaria
Mission of Investigation
Arriving in Philippopolis, the principal town in the region ravaged by the Bashi-Bazouks, I embarked on a mission to uncover the truth behind the atrocities gripping Europe’s attention. With Philippopolis serving as a focal point, reliable information about the ongoing horrors could be gleaned. Joining me in this endeavor were Mr. Baring, who had already commenced his investigation, and Mr. Schuyler, the American Consul-General, tasked with a dual purpose: investigating the atrocities and exploring measures to protect American missionary families scattered across Bulgaria.
Disparity in Consular Presence
Despite the gravity of the situation, it struck me as peculiar that while Austria, Greece, Russia, and France all maintained consular representation in Philippopolis, the absence of an English agent was glaring. While other governments received detailed reports from their consuls, the English government, lacking a presence in Philippopolis, remained relatively uninformed. The sole English consul stationed in Adrianople, though well-intentioned, was incapacitated by poor health, leaving England at a disadvantage in terms of timely and accurate intelligence Turkey Sightseeing.
Urgent Need for Information
The absence of English representation underscores the pressing need for comprehensive and up-to-date information on the atrocities unfolding in Bulgaria. In an age where well-informed newspapers play a crucial role in shaping public opinion, the lack of direct English involvement leaves a void that jeopardizes the dissemination of accurate accounts of the events. As other governments and newspapers diligently gather data, England risks lagging behind in its understanding of the situation and formulating an appropriate response.
As I delve deeper into my investigation, it becomes increasingly evident that the atrocities in Bulgaria demand urgent attention and a concerted international response. The disparity in consular presence highlights the need for greater English involvement in gathering information and shaping policy decisions. In the face of unspeakable horrors, it is imperative that all nations, including England, actively engage in addressing the crisis and advocating for justice and accountability.
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Suppression of Opposition and Totalitarian Consolidation
Recognition and Swift Elimination (February 1947)
Regrettably, the Communist administration in Bulgaria secured recognition as the official government from the Western Powers when it signed the Peace Treaty on February 10, 1947. Subsequently, with this acknowledgment, the Communist regime saw no need to tolerate opposition parties any longer. It swiftly moved to eradicate them.
Persecution and Liquidation of Opposition Figures (1945-1948)
Dr. G. M. Dimitrov, Secretary General of the Peasant Party, faced arrest in January 1945 but managed to leave the country with the intervention of the American political representative. Between 1945 and 1947, thousands of Peasant Party members and followers were arrested and subjected to torture. On June 5, 1947, Nicholas Petkov, a prominent figure in the Democratic Opposition, was arrested in Parliament, and all opposition deputies were brutally attacked by 300 agents of the Communist security police. Following a sham trial on baseless charges of conspiracy, Nicholas Petkov was sentenced to death on August 16 and hanged on September 23, 1947 Guided Istanbul Tours.
Outlawing Opposition Parties (1947-1948)
In late August 1947, the Peasant Party was banned as a “party of conspiracy,” revealing the true objective of Petkov’s trial: the suppression of all legal parliamentary opposition. The Democratic Party had already been prohibited following the October 1946 elections. After outlawing the Peasant Party, all Peasant deputies were arrested and sent to prison or concentration camps. In 1948, the same fate awaited Social Democratic deputies, and their party was also banned.
Destruction of Opposition Legal Apparatus (1948)
This systematic approach dismantled the legal infrastructure of opposition parties. Bulgaria fell under a 100% totalitarian regime imposed by the Soviets. A few left-wing Socialists joined the Communist Party, and the “Zveno” group merged with the “Fatherland Front.” Some remnants of the Peasant Party, claiming independence, still exist in the government, but they are essentially Communist agents.
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Suppression of Opposition and Totalitarian Consolidation
Recognition and Swift Elimination (February 1947)
Regrettably, the Communist administration in Bulgaria secured recognition as the official government from the Western Powers when it signed the Peace Treaty on February 10, 1947. Subsequently, with this acknowledgment, the Communist regime saw no need to tolerate opposition parties any longer. It swiftly moved to eradicate them.
Persecution and Liquidation of Opposition Figures (1945-1948)
Dr. G. M. Dimitrov, Secretary General of the Peasant Party, faced arrest in January 1945 but managed to leave the country with the intervention of the American political representative. Between 1945 and 1947, thousands of Peasant Party members and followers were arrested and subjected to torture. On June 5, 1947, Nicholas Petkov, a prominent figure in the Democratic Opposition, was arrested in Parliament, and all opposition deputies were brutally attacked by 300 agents of the Communist security police. Following a sham trial on baseless charges of conspiracy, Nicholas Petkov was sentenced to death on August 16 and hanged on September 23, 1947 Guided Istanbul Tours.
Outlawing Opposition Parties (1947-1948)
In late August 1947, the Peasant Party was banned as a “party of conspiracy,” revealing the true objective of Petkov’s trial: the suppression of all legal parliamentary opposition. The Democratic Party had already been prohibited following the October 1946 elections. After outlawing the Peasant Party, all Peasant deputies were arrested and sent to prison or concentration camps. In 1948, the same fate awaited Social Democratic deputies, and their party was also banned.
Destruction of Opposition Legal Apparatus (1948)
This systematic approach dismantled the legal infrastructure of opposition parties. Bulgaria fell under a 100% totalitarian regime imposed by the Soviets. A few left-wing Socialists joined the Communist Party, and the “Zveno” group merged with the “Fatherland Front.” Some remnants of the Peasant Party, claiming independence, still exist in the government, but they are essentially Communist agents.
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The Reigns of Chervenkov and Zhivkov
Chervenkov’s Rule (1949-1953)
Valko Chervenkov ruled Bulgaria from 1949 to 1953, a period that witnessed the implementation of the first five-year plan for national economic development, known as the peripetia. During this time, Chervenkov introduced typical features of a socialist society, mirroring the Soviet Union. While the era saw grand construction projects on a national scale, such as roads, dams, plants, and buildings, Chervenkov’s leadership also marked the establishment of a “Stalinist personality cult” in Bulgaria, with his own persona elevated above all else.
Bulgaria and the Warsaw Treaty Organization
In 1955, the Warsaw Treaty Organization was founded on May 14th as a military and political union among eight socialist states, serving as a counterbalance to the existing North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This event further intensified the division of Europe during the “cold war” years, with Bulgaria positioned behind the “iron curtain.”
The Zhivkov Era
Following Stalin’s death in 1953, Bulgaria’s communist leadership, including Todor Zhivkov, had to moderate the regime. Todor Zhivkov, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party, quickly adapted to the changing political landscape, aligning with the new Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Khrushchev’s criticism of Stalin’s “personality cult” at the Twentieth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in February 1956 had a profound impact City Tours Istanbul.
Rise of Todor Zhivkov
Todor Zhivkov attracted Khrushchev’s attention, and he began consolidating party and state power. The “Zhivkov era” spanned seven five-year plans for national economic development, marking a significant period in recent Bulgarian history. Until November 10, 1989, Zhivkov remained unchallenged at the helm of the Bulgarian Communist Party, serving as its First or General Secretary of the Central Committee. His leadership of over three decades solidified absolute and undivided control over the party and the state.
The periods of Chervenkov and Zhivkov marked Bulgaria’s journey under communism, witnessing economic plans, political shifts, and a prolonged era of undisputed leadership by Todor Zhivkov.
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Current Realities in Bulgaria
A Lingering Shadow of Turbulence
This article shifts the focus from historical events to the present, shedding light on the dire circumstances faced by the living in Bulgaria. While acknowledging the irreversibility of the past, the narrative centers on the challenges confronting the Bulgarian populace today.
Navigating the Aftermath
Acknowledging the irreversible nature of history, the article briefly reflects on the brutalities of the past, emphasizing the toll it has taken on the deceased. However, the primary concern is redirected towards the living, prompting an exploration of their contemporary struggles.
Life and Property at Stake
A stark reality emerges as the article unveils the current state of insecurity plaguing Bulgaria. The Turkish population, armed and seemingly unrestrained, poses a constant threat to the lives and properties of the Bulgarians. The absence of security mechanisms leaves the Christian population vulnerable to unchecked aggression Bulgaria Tour.
Power Dynamics at Play
Examining power dynamics, the article highlights the disarming of the Bulgarian Christians, rendering them defenseless. In contrast, the armed Turkish population enjoys a position of authority, a situation exemplified by the horrors witnessed in Batak. The inherent imbalance fuels an environment where atrocities can flourish.
Robbery, Plunder, and Forced Labor
The article delves into the daily struggles faced by Bulgarians, illustrating a grim picture of rampant robbery and plunder by their Turkish neighbors. Additionally, the imposition of forced labor without compensation adds to the plight of a population already grappling with the aftermath of historical atrocities.
A Disturbing Reality
A particularly distressing aspect is explored — the obligation of Bulgarians to pay for the mere permission to gather their own harvests. This economic exploitation further exacerbates the challenges faced by a population already burdened by historical injustices.
A Fragile Restraint
Considering the lack of external restraints, the article contemplates the extent to which the conscience of the Turkish population serves as a restraining force. Drawing parallels with the horrors of Batak, it questions the efficacy of conscience in curbing ongoing atrocities.
Urgent Calls for Change
The article concludes by emphasizing the urgency of addressing the current plight in Bulgaria. It calls for international attention, intervention, and a concerted effort to bring about positive change, ensuring a future where the living can experience security, justice, and the restoration of their rights.
Navigating the Path to Redemption
In a final reflection, the article underscores the importance of acknowledging the ongoing struggles in Bulgaria and collectively working towards a path of redemption, justice, and stability for a population that continues to grapple with the echoes of a tumultuous history.
0 notes
Photo
Current Realities in Bulgaria
A Lingering Shadow of Turbulence
This article shifts the focus from historical events to the present, shedding light on the dire circumstances faced by the living in Bulgaria. While acknowledging the irreversibility of the past, the narrative centers on the challenges confronting the Bulgarian populace today.
Navigating the Aftermath
Acknowledging the irreversible nature of history, the article briefly reflects on the brutalities of the past, emphasizing the toll it has taken on the deceased. However, the primary concern is redirected towards the living, prompting an exploration of their contemporary struggles.
Life and Property at Stake
A stark reality emerges as the article unveils the current state of insecurity plaguing Bulgaria. The Turkish population, armed and seemingly unrestrained, poses a constant threat to the lives and properties of the Bulgarians. The absence of security mechanisms leaves the Christian population vulnerable to unchecked aggression Bulgaria Tour.
Power Dynamics at Play
Examining power dynamics, the article highlights the disarming of the Bulgarian Christians, rendering them defenseless. In contrast, the armed Turkish population enjoys a position of authority, a situation exemplified by the horrors witnessed in Batak. The inherent imbalance fuels an environment where atrocities can flourish.
Robbery, Plunder, and Forced Labor
The article delves into the daily struggles faced by Bulgarians, illustrating a grim picture of rampant robbery and plunder by their Turkish neighbors. Additionally, the imposition of forced labor without compensation adds to the plight of a population already grappling with the aftermath of historical atrocities.
A Disturbing Reality
A particularly distressing aspect is explored — the obligation of Bulgarians to pay for the mere permission to gather their own harvests. This economic exploitation further exacerbates the challenges faced by a population already burdened by historical injustices.
A Fragile Restraint
Considering the lack of external restraints, the article contemplates the extent to which the conscience of the Turkish population serves as a restraining force. Drawing parallels with the horrors of Batak, it questions the efficacy of conscience in curbing ongoing atrocities.
Urgent Calls for Change
The article concludes by emphasizing the urgency of addressing the current plight in Bulgaria. It calls for international attention, intervention, and a concerted effort to bring about positive change, ensuring a future where the living can experience security, justice, and the restoration of their rights.
Navigating the Path to Redemption
In a final reflection, the article underscores the importance of acknowledging the ongoing struggles in Bulgaria and collectively working towards a path of redemption, justice, and stability for a population that continues to grapple with the echoes of a tumultuous history.
0 notes
Photo
Current Realities in Bulgaria
A Lingering Shadow of Turbulence
This article shifts the focus from historical events to the present, shedding light on the dire circumstances faced by the living in Bulgaria. While acknowledging the irreversibility of the past, the narrative centers on the challenges confronting the Bulgarian populace today.
Navigating the Aftermath
Acknowledging the irreversible nature of history, the article briefly reflects on the brutalities of the past, emphasizing the toll it has taken on the deceased. However, the primary concern is redirected towards the living, prompting an exploration of their contemporary struggles.
Life and Property at Stake
A stark reality emerges as the article unveils the current state of insecurity plaguing Bulgaria. The Turkish population, armed and seemingly unrestrained, poses a constant threat to the lives and properties of the Bulgarians. The absence of security mechanisms leaves the Christian population vulnerable to unchecked aggression Bulgaria Tour.
Power Dynamics at Play
Examining power dynamics, the article highlights the disarming of the Bulgarian Christians, rendering them defenseless. In contrast, the armed Turkish population enjoys a position of authority, a situation exemplified by the horrors witnessed in Batak. The inherent imbalance fuels an environment where atrocities can flourish.
Robbery, Plunder, and Forced Labor
The article delves into the daily struggles faced by Bulgarians, illustrating a grim picture of rampant robbery and plunder by their Turkish neighbors. Additionally, the imposition of forced labor without compensation adds to the plight of a population already grappling with the aftermath of historical atrocities.
A Disturbing Reality
A particularly distressing aspect is explored — the obligation of Bulgarians to pay for the mere permission to gather their own harvests. This economic exploitation further exacerbates the challenges faced by a population already burdened by historical injustices.
A Fragile Restraint
Considering the lack of external restraints, the article contemplates the extent to which the conscience of the Turkish population serves as a restraining force. Drawing parallels with the horrors of Batak, it questions the efficacy of conscience in curbing ongoing atrocities.
Urgent Calls for Change
The article concludes by emphasizing the urgency of addressing the current plight in Bulgaria. It calls for international attention, intervention, and a concerted effort to bring about positive change, ensuring a future where the living can experience security, justice, and the restoration of their rights.
Navigating the Path to Redemption
In a final reflection, the article underscores the importance of acknowledging the ongoing struggles in Bulgaria and collectively working towards a path of redemption, justice, and stability for a population that continues to grapple with the echoes of a tumultuous history.
0 notes
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The Tyrant of Otluk kui
A Reign of Injustice
In the heart of the tragedy that befell Otluk-kui, a sinister figure emerged—the Mudir. His reign of terror, marked by cruelty, drunken escapades, and unchecked power, casts a dark shadow over the fate of this once-charming village.
The Despot Unleashed Mudir’s Reign of Drunken Terror
Otluk-kui, already scarred by the horrors of massacre and destruction, faced an additional menace—the tyrannical rule of a drunken Mudir. This official, entrusted with the welfare of nearly 1,000 inhabitants, proved to be the worst manifestation of unchecked authority. Nightly inebriation, often shared with the zaptiehs, fueled a reign of terror as he subjected the already traumatized populace to maltreatment and persecution.
The depths of the Mudir’s depravity were laid bare when he summoned widowed women to his house in the absence of Mr. Baring and Mr. Schuyler. This unspeakable act exemplified the moral degradation that had seeped into the leadership of Otluk-kui. The villagers, already victimized by external forces, found themselves doubly oppressed by the very individual meant to protect them.
Otluk-kui’s Tragic Transformation From Charm to Desolation
The narrative of Otluk-kui takes a poignant turn as the idyllic image of this village, once nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by protective mountains, contrasts starkly with its present reality. The village, once a charming haven, now bears the scars of partial destruction and the weight of sorrow inflicted by both external forces and its tyrannical Mudir Travel Bulgaria.
The contrast between the village’s past allure and its current state of desolation raises questions about the irreversible impact of unchecked power and external aggression. The mountains that once seemed to embrace Otluk-kui now stand as silent witnesses to the tragedy that has unfolded within their sheltering arms.
As the residents grapple with the aftermath of massacre, destruction, and the tyrannical rule of the Mudir, the narrative of Otluk-kui becomes a cautionary tale. It serves as a poignant reminder of how the unchecked authority in the wrong hands can transform a once-charming village into a place haunted by trauma and injustice. The future of Otluk-kui hangs in the balance, caught between the echoes of its past charm and the harsh reality of its present desolation.
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Mudir’s orders were walked over
We asked them if they could not bring us some saddles also, and this they did with much alacrity, and some chuckling at the way in which the Mudir’s orders were walked over. Finally we mounted and got off. We had been besieged all the morning by the same people who had blockaded us the night before, or who appeared to be the same, their stories were so much alike.
We could do nothing but listen in pity to a few of them—for it would have taken all day to hear each separate tale of misery and suffering—and gave vague promises that we would do all in our power to relieve their misery upon our return to Constantinople. But diplomatic help is, alas ! very slow. While ambassadors are exchanging notes and compliments, inviting each other to dinner, making representations to the Porte, and obtaining promises which nobody believes in, these poor people are starving and dying.
Many of them decided to seize this opportunity and accompany us to Batak, to visit their ruined homes, and others caught our bridle reins, determined to make us listen to their stories before we should start. One woman caught my horse, and held it until she could show me where a bullet had traversed her arm, completely disabling her from work, and this was only the least of her woes Guided Istanbul Tours.
Husband killed
Husband killed, and little children depending on that broken arm for bread ; all of this told in a language so much like Russian that I could understand a great deal of it; so like Russian that I could easily have fancied myself amongst peasants of the Volga, or the denizens of the Gostinoidvor, Moscow. The resemblance is striking, and it is no wonder the Russians sympathies with these people.
You observe the same sort of family likeness about the eyes that may be always seen among brothers and sisters who are utterly unlike each other in features—tricks of countenance, movements of the hands, tones of the voice, even to that curious, uncertain expression of the face, which often in the Russian peasant makes it almost impossible to tell whether he is laughing or crying.
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Hafiz Pacha unlike Achmet Aga
During the night and the next morning the troops and the Bashi-Bazouks entered the place, and then began a scene of pillage, violence, and massacre, only equalled by that of Batak. Neither age nor sex was spared. The town was pillaged, then fired ; about one-fourth of the houses were burnt, people were cut down in the streets, on their own doorsteps, on their own hearthstones. Old men and women begging for mercy, and children and infants screaming in terror, perished alike beneath the swift and certain sabre.
It is thought that 3,000 people were killed in this place alone, of whom about 400 were inhabitants of the town, and the rest from the neighbouring villages who had taken refuge here. But we were not greeted here with the scenes of horror that awaited us at Batak. Hafiz Pacha, unlike Achmet Aga, had sense enough to have the bodies buried within the following three days, and thus to cover up his tracks.
It has been repeated again and again that these acts were perpetrated by the Bashi-Bazouks ouly, and not by the regular troops ; and a great deal is made of the statement as showing the massacres were committed without the consent of the authorities. If the statement were worth anything, the converse ought to be true—that if the massacres were committed by the regular troops then the authorities are responsible. Now, as it happens, wherever there were any regular troops to commit massacres, they rivalled the Bashi-Bazouks in atrocity Turkey Sightseeing.
Here, as Mr. Schuyler will show in his report, regular and irregular troops were equally cruel, pitiless, and ferocious, and Hafiz Pacha is no less guilty than Achmet Aga. The reason is simple. They are all Turks alike, and there is nothing to choose between them. These massacres were committed by the order of the authorities, and that is why the men who committed them have been rewarded with decorations and promotions.
When we were in Panagurishti we were shown in the ruins of the church, before the place where the altar had stood, a black spot specked with calcined bones, on which lay a bouquet of flowers. This wras the remains of a priest, Theodor Peoff, 85 years of age, who had been seized and tortured in the hopes of obtaining money, mutilated and maltreated in ways which only the foul imagination of a Turk could invent, then killed, and burnt here before the altar.
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King Ivan II Assen
During a siege of Thessaloniki the third brother also fell victim to another boyar plot: in the autumn of 1207 he was killed in his tent. One of the plotters – and nephew to Kaloyan – King Boril (1207-1218) ascended to the throne. A political crisis broke up. As the usurper Boril initiated a persecution of all Kaloyan’s relatives his two nephews, sons of the old king Assen, Ivan Assen and Alexander, lied to Russia. For some time, however, the conflicts along the borders of the country were suspended due to the treaties with the Lati n Empire and the Hungarian Kingdom but the resentment within sharpened Tours Bulgaria.
A factor that additionally jeopardized the crown became the movement of the Bogomils. So in 1211 Boril held the Council of Tumovo which condemned the new heresy. Uprisings broke up. Taking advantage of the confusion and assisted by a Russian military unit Ivan Assen II laid a continuous siege to the capital Tumovo, dethroned Boril and blinded him. Thus the successor of the Dynasty of the Assenids. King Ivan II Assen (1218-1241) came to the throne.
Ivan II Assen inaugurated a period of prosperity during which Bulgaria regained the frontiers it had achieved under Tsar Simeon the Great.
Diplomacy consolidated
An economic and cultural upsurge marked his rule. The new king’s diplomacy consolidated the state and strengthened the relations with the Latin Empire and Hungary. A peace treaty was signed with the ruler of the Epirus region Theodore Comnenus.
Ivan II Assen even engaged his daughter Elena to the Byzantine Emperor Baldwin II, still under age by the time.
But Theodore Comnenus violated the peace treaty and led a large army north- The Church of the Virgin of Petrich in Ivan II Assens Fortress.
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King Ivan II Assen
During a siege of Thessaloniki the third brother also fell victim to another boyar plot: in the autumn of 1207 he was killed in his tent. One of the plotters – and nephew to Kaloyan – King Boril (1207-1218) ascended to the throne. A political crisis broke up. As the usurper Boril initiated a persecution of all Kaloyan’s relatives his two nephews, sons of the old king Assen, Ivan Assen and Alexander, lied to Russia. For some time, however, the conflicts along the borders of the country were suspended due to the treaties with the Lati n Empire and the Hungarian Kingdom but the resentment within sharpened Tours Bulgaria.
A factor that additionally jeopardized the crown became the movement of the Bogomils. So in 1211 Boril held the Council of Tumovo which condemned the new heresy. Uprisings broke up. Taking advantage of the confusion and assisted by a Russian military unit Ivan Assen II laid a continuous siege to the capital Tumovo, dethroned Boril and blinded him. Thus the successor of the Dynasty of the Assenids. King Ivan II Assen (1218-1241) came to the throne.
Ivan II Assen inaugurated a period of prosperity during which Bulgaria regained the frontiers it had achieved under Tsar Simeon the Great.
Diplomacy consolidated
An economic and cultural upsurge marked his rule. The new king’s diplomacy consolidated the state and strengthened the relations with the Latin Empire and Hungary. A peace treaty was signed with the ruler of the Epirus region Theodore Comnenus.
Ivan II Assen even engaged his daughter Elena to the Byzantine Emperor Baldwin II, still under age by the time.
But Theodore Comnenus violated the peace treaty and led a large army north- The Church of the Virgin of Petrich in Ivan II Assens Fortress.
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Marmora to Tekfur Sarai
Of the walls those on the land side only call for special mention. They are the work of three successive Byzantine emperors — Theodosius II., Heraclius, and Leo the Armenian.
The Walls of Theodosius, extending from the Sea of Marmora to Tekfur Sarai, a distance of about 6120 yards, were built in 413 A.D. under the superintendence of Anthemius, prefect of the city ; but were destroyed by an earthquake thirty-four years later, when they were rebuilt by the prefect Cyrus Constantine in sixty days, as set forth in an inscription on the Melandrian Gate. They consist of a double line of wall, the inner line being considerably higher than the outer one, with a moat 20 yards wide, and a breastwork 19 yards thick, running between. Bemains of these latter may still be seen in the vicinity of the Seven Towers and Silivri Gate. The moat, which is now filled up in places, and is let out in sections to market- gardeners, varies in depth from 4 to 33 feet, and is some 64 feet wide. The tapering wall running along the moat is of Byzantine origin, and was in all probability an aqueduct for the double purpose of conveying water to the cityand of flooding the moat in case of emergency : remains of these aqueducts still in use are to be met here and there.
The stone used in the erection of the walls was procured from the quarries in the vicinity. The inner and loftier wall—some 36 feet high—was flanked by 116 towers, of which some ninety are still standing in a dilapidated condition. These are for the most part square, the rest being either round or octagonal, and were entered by postern gates on the city side; few, if any, having doors leading into the space be-tween the walls. The outer wall—31 feet high and 13 feet thick—was also flanked with towers, numbering 78, of which about seventy remain. The Theodosian wall was pierced by fourteen gates, seven of which were reserved for military purposes.
Seven Towers
The land walls commence at the elegant marble water-gate on the Marmora, near the Seven Towers. The first inner tower was built by the Emperors Basil and Constantine, 975-1025 A.D. ; over the postern may still be seen a carved cross surmounted by a wreath. Of the first outer tower scarcely anything remains. The fourth inner tower, somewhat damaged during the earthquake of 1894, bears an inscription setting forth that it was built by Eomanus, the great Emperor of the Romans.
The seventh inner tower, near the railway, assigned to the Emperors Leo and Constantine, has almost entirely crumbled away. The Golden Gate, so-called from the gilding formerly upon it, which comes next, with its two wooden columns and their exquisite Corinthian capitals, was the triumphal arch through which victorious emperors and generals passed on their return from war. The last of these to pass through was Michael Palteologus, after recovering the city from the Latins. It was built up some centuries ago, and is commonly called the ‘ Closed Gate The carvings and bas-reliefs which formerly adorned it have long since disappeared, the only ornamentation to be seen on it now being the Sultan’s monogram over the Turkish coat of arms.
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BYZANTINE CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES CONVERTED INTO MOSQUES
St. Sophia is open every day and can be visited at any time; in Ramazan, only in the forenoon. Entrance by the north porch. Admission (paid when entering) 5 piastres per head. The galleries are closed to the public.
St. Sophia, called Ayiah Sofia by the Turks, was originally a basilica with a wooden roof, and was first built by Constantine the Great in 326 A.D. ; it was named by him the Church of St. Sophia (Holy Wisdom), but either because the original edifice was found to be too small, or because it was still unfinished, it was rebuilt of wood in 358 A.D. by the son and successor of Constantine, and consecrated and inaugurated with great pomp by Eudoxius the Arian, then Bishop of Constantinople, on the 15th of February 360 A.D. Forty-four years later, on the 20th June 404 A.D., in the reign of the Emperor Arcadius, the part of the building containing the altar and pulpit, together with the roof, was destroyed by fire during the riots caused by the unjust exile of St. John Chrysostom. The church was restored by Theodosius II., and a vaulted roof was added under the superintendence of Kufinus Magister; but it was again destroyed by fire in 532 in the reign of Justinian, during the horrible riot called the Nika riot, from the watchword used by those taking part in it. Justinian, then at the summit of his power and glory, resolved to rebuild the church in such a manner as to make it eclipse all former attempts in magnificence, grandeur, and size.
Anthemius of Tralles
For this purpose he ordered the best materials and the best workmen to be got together from all parts of his empire, and the new building was commenced forty days after the destruction of the old one, and was completed in five years, ten months and two days by the architects Anthemius of Tralles (Aidin), Isidorus of Miletus, and Ignatius Magister. The dedicatory and inaugural ceremony took place on the 25th December 537 A.D. Twenty years later, the eastern half-dome and the main dome fell in, crushing the altar and pulpits to pieces in their fall. Justinian had the church restored again by the architect Isidorus the younger, a nephew of Isidorus Magister, and the second inauguration took place on the 24th December 562 A.D.; but the restoration caused the edifice to lose much of its former airiness private istanbul tour, its increased solidity having entailed a corresponding amount of bulkiness. It is said that in the re-erection of St. Sophia a hundred architects were employed, each having a hundred workmen under him.
Of these, five thousand worked on the right side, and five thousand on the left side of the building, each of the two sets vying with the other as to which should be first to complete its task, and encouraged by the Emperor, who, turning superstition to account to stimulate the efforts of the workmen, caused it to be known that the plan of the church had been divulged to him in a dream by an angel; and that visions disclosed to him whence to procure the costly materials and art treasures for the building and decoration of the church; while the solution of any architectural difficulties was also ascribed to the agency of the angels. In a word, superstition was the prime factor in the rebuilding of St. Sophia, and clings to the building down to the present day, as is evinced by the numerous traditions handed down ; a favourite one being that this whilom church is haunted every Easter Eve by a chorus of angels, whose chanting is audible to those of the pious who may happen to be in the building at the time; and not only Greeks, but Muhammadans also, are to be found who aver that they themselves have heard the angelic chorus perform!
The cost of rebuilding St. Sophia is estimated to have amounted to what would be equivalent to a million sterling, an immense sum in those days, and proved such a drain upon the imperial exchequer that, according to Procopius, to meet the expense of construction, Justinian had to stop the salaries of all government officials, and even those of masters of public schools, as well as the pay of his troops, and divert the money thus obtained to the further-ance of his pet scheme.
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