History
Archaeological excavations in the fortress have uncovered the remains of a medieval basilica from the 6th century, an old Bulgarian church from the 10th century, a Byzantine church from the 11th century, as well as many artifacts such as bronze coins from the 6th-13th century, fragments of graphite drawings, ceramic mosaics and bronze medieval seals. It is believed that Markeli was built during the time of the Byzantine emperors Anastasius I and Justinian I to protect the territory of Byzantium from enemy invasions.
In 756 a battle was fought near the border fortress between the Bulgarian khan Vineh and Constantine V, which the khan lost.
In 792, Khan Kardam inflicted a severe defeat on the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI, as a result of which Byzantium undertook to pay taxes to the Bulgarian state.
From Markeli, the Byzantine emperor Nicephorus I Genicus began his march to the Bulgarian capital Pliska in 811 and suffered a terrible defeat, losing his life. Taking the fortress in 812, Khan Krum turned it into the largest fortress of the Bulgarians south of the Balkan Mountains. Later, the Bulgarian border was moved and Markeli lost its function.
In the heart of the fortress, in the 5th-6th century, an early Byzantine basilica was built, which, however, was destroyed decades later during the Avar invasions. The Byzantine writer Anna Comnenus wrote that in 1089 her father, Emperor Alexius I Comnenus, used Marcellus as a base in his operations against the Pechenegs and Cumans.
Later, in the 9th-10th century, the Bulgarians built an old Bulgarian church on its remains. In the 11th century this church was destroyed and in its place a cross-domed Byzantine church was built, which existed until the beginning of the 13th century.
It is the remains of these temples, at least in my opinion, are of the greatest interest among the ruins of the fortress Markeli. Remains of fortress walls and towers can also be seen on site.
However, as can be seen from the coins discovered by archaeologists of the kings Svetoslav Terter (1300 – 1322) and Ivan Alexander (1331 – 1371), it remained a large Bulgarian fortified city in the late Middle Ages. Markeli was destroyed by the Turks probably in 1371 after the battle of Chernomen, and its inhabitants founded today’s Karnobat
Location
Markeli Fortress is located in the municipality of Karnobat, about 8 km west of Karnobat, 50 km northwest of Burgas, 3 km northwest of Krumovo Gradishte and about 308 km east of Sofia. Markeli Fortress is accessible by car. If you choose the Trakia Motorway, for the Markeli fortress you have to stop at the exit for Karnobat. About 2 km after the turnoff from the highway the road splits in two – on the right is the town of Karnobat, for the fortress Markeli you have to keep left at this fork.
After another 4 km you have to turn left for the fortress. There are signs, and the fortress can already be seen in the distance. In addition, there is an abandoned military unit on the diversion for the fortress – another landmark. From there to the fortress is not a kilometer. You move on a newly built, albeit slightly narrow, asphalt road. In front of the fortress there is a large parking space. There are vans in the parking lot, in one of which was the ticket office for the fortress.
General information
The fortress occupies the western end of the hill Hissar, which is part of the Balkan Mountains. The fortress originated in late Antiquity and was originally protected by a fortress wall, and in the Middle Ages – by powerful earth defenses. Natural protective barriers to the fortress are the river Mochuritsa, which is its main water source, and the rocky slopes in the northwestern part. It covers an area of 460 decares and the length of the fortress walls is 530 m. The protective trenches and shafts that surrounded the fortress as a ring can be seen to this day. They are one of the largest man-made fortifications found on the Balkan Peninsula. Markeli was inaccessible, and during the siege it was supplied with water through a specially built water facility connecting the town with the nearby river Mochuritsa.
Markeli, from a strategic point of view, shows a very good knowledge of the general geographical features of a vast area with a radius of 30 – 40 kilometers, including the main Stara Planina chain and the eastern end of Sredna Gora. The fortress has a visual connection with many fortified settlements in the area, the most important of which are:
– the ancient and medieval complex of two fortresses and several large settlements 1-2 km west-northwest of the village of Zimen;
– the fortress of Voinishki Bakadzhik about 2 km south of the village of Voynika;
– the fortress above the Marashki Pass, about 4 km west of the village of Sedlarevo;
– The Little and the Big Fortress, 4 – 4.5 km northwest of the village of Vezenkovo;
– the fortress “Overgrown Kale” about 1 km north of the village of Podvis;
-the fortress of the Great Bakadjik.
Apart from these sites, Markeli has a very good visible connection with the Mokren Pass, with the area of the Varbishki Pass, with the Yailata area in the Rishki Pass and others.
The choice of the location of the water tower on the left bank is impressive. It is located just opposite the only section of the river in the nearby area with a shallow rocky bed, without clogging and swamping.
Accommodation
Guests wishing to visit the fortress can stay in the town of Karnobat, which offers a very good hotel base.
