Samuel's Fortress, Ohrid Explained

Samuel's Fortress
Coordinates:41.115°N 20.791°W
Map Type:North Macedonia
Map Size:250
Type:Castle
Built:4th century B.C.
Builder:Original ruins: Philip II of Macedon
Current fortress:Tsar Samuil
Materials:Limestone
Open To Public:Yes

Samuel's Fortress (Macedonian: Самуилова тврдина|translit=Samuilova tvrdina, Bulgarian: Самуилова крепост|translit=Samuilova krepost) is a fortress in the old town of Ohrid, North Macedonia. It was the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire[1] during the rule of Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria at the turn of the 11th century. Today, this historical monument is a major tourist attraction and was heavily restored in 2003 with the addition of entirely new battlements where none had survived.

According to recent excavations by Macedonian archaeologists, it was contended that this fortress was built on the place of an earlier fortification, dated to the 4th century BC, which was probably built by King Philip II of Macedon. During the late 900s, King Samuil of Bulgaria restored the fortress by rebuilding it into a medieval style stronghold which still stands as is today.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Macedonian Folk Customs by Mercia MacDermott, 1998,, page 26: "... one of these brothers, Samuil, proclaimed himself Tsar, with his capital at Ohrid.
  2. Web site: Culture — Republic of Macedonia . www.culture.in.mk . 2008-10-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081202033839/http://www.culture.in.mk/story.asp?id=12676 . 2008-12-02.