The glory and supremacy of Simeon's reign

The glory and supremacy of Simeon’s reign,

unfortunately, did not last. Internal struggles had begun, owing to the

jealousies of some of the nobles and their spirit of adventure. The boyars, the

knights and dignitaries of Bulgaria, had always had great authority. In the

reign of Boris II. (A.D. 963), a boyar named Shishman Mokar raised a party and

took possession of the whole of Western Bulgaria, turning it into a separate

kingdom. Boris was overwhelmed by fresh misfortunes. The Russians invaded

Bulgaria, and Boris called in the help of the Emperor, John Zemissius, who took

advantage of the situation to gain possession of the kingdom. Fortunately, the

successor of Shishman, Tsar Samuel, whose reign was as brilliant as that of

Simeon, succeeded in reuniting the kingdom of Bulgaria, with Prespa as capital.

A long and unlucky war with Byzantium

In 1015 Bulgaria, after a long and unlucky war with Byzantium, was brought to subjection. A new state of things began for the Bulgarians, who till then had never felt the control of an enemy. The people longed for liberty, and there were many attempts at revolt. Towards 1186, two brothers, John and Peter Assen, raised a revolt and succeeded in reestablishing the ancient kingdom, choosing as capital Timova, their native town. It was then that Timova became what it still remains, the historic town of Bulgaria. The reign of John and Peter Assen was a brilliant time for Bulgaria Art and literature flourished as never before, and commerce developed to a considerable extent. Once more the Bulgarian empire was respected and feared abroad.

This lasted as long as the dynasty founded by John and Peter Assen continued to reign. Unfortunately, this dynasty died out in 1257, and Bulgaria fell into the hands of usurpers. Once more it was divided, and different chiefs, among them Roman, George Terter and Michael Shishman, tried in turn to found dynasties and protect the country. They all tailed. On the one side the Servians, on the other the Magyars, and afterwards the Turks, who were already settled in the south of the peninsula, cast greedy eyes on Bulgaria. At last, as a result of the famous and fatal battle of Kossovo (A,D. 1393), Bulgaria lost her political independence and became a simple Ottoman province.

I am from the generation that witnessed

communism. I had my good moments, I had my fears but I love Bulgaria the most.

Many interesting things can be learnt and seen on a communist Bulgaria tour.

Definitely, this is something to be experienced – a tour in an ex-communist

country.

Soon afterwards she lost the independence

of her autonomous Church, and in spiritual matters became a slave of the

Phanar. All the other Christian peoples of the peninsula were in their turn

subjected by the Turks.