Samuel's Fortress, Ohrid
Samuel's Fortress (Macedonian: Самуилова тврдина, romanized: Samuilova tvrdina, Bulgarian: Самуилова крепост, romanized: 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.
| Samuel's Fortress | |
|---|---|
| Ohrid, North Macedonia | |
 The fortress of Tsar Samuel | |
  Samuel's Fortress | |
| Coordinates | 41.115°N 20.791°E |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 4th century B.C. |
| Built by | Original ruins: Philip II of Macedon Current fortress: Tsar Samuil |
| Materials | Limestone |
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]
Gallery
Samuil's Fortress over the old town in Ohrid
Interior of the fortress
Interior of the fortress
Upper Gate of the fortress
Fortress wall in the winter
Map of the Samuil's Fortress
Macedonian flag in Samoil Fortress
View of the Ohrid lake from the fortress
Front gate to the fortress
Recycled stones dating from antiquity used in the construction of the upper gate. One of the stones has a fragment of an ancient Greek inscription
References
- Macedonian Folk Customs by Mercia MacDermott, 1998, ISBN 1-85302-485-6, page 26: "... one of these brothers, Samuil, proclaimed himself Tsar, with his capital at Ohrid.
- "Culture — Republic of Macedonia". www.culture.in.mk. Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
