Cyrillic Fortress

The Cyrillic Fortress rises as a defence against the influence of the Latin world and as a guardian preserving the cultural achievements created in Cyrillic. The word “fortress” conveys the ideas of strength, resilience and durability, while the name “Cyrillic” symbolises the unity of all peoples who use this script as a source of spiritual strength. Standing proudly and majestically in Pliska, the fortress bears witness to the fact that it was from here that the sacred alphabet began its journey into the world.

Ancient stone blocks were used in the construction of the fortress. Incorporated into them are a motif from the biblical story of Mary and Joseph with the infant Jesus, a winged Armenian cross, and the Armenian letter “K” – all created and donated by Ruben Nalbandyan, the master who crafted the letters.

Thus, brought together in one place, the past is given new life and new meaning. The architecture of the citadel was conceived by the founder of the Cyrillic Court. The external staircase leading to the second floor is not typical of historic fortresses, but serves as an ornamental addition that allows visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of the entire complex.

The spacious halls “Creation of the Alphabet” and “Bulgarian Glory” are situated on the fortress’s two levels. From the high battlements, visitors can admire the beautiful panorama of the entire Pliska plain, while to the south the view extends towards the sacred Madara Cliffs.

History in Pictures

The gallery is housed in a spacious room built of stone in a traditional style. The paintings displayed here were created based on ideas by the founder of the complex and were acquired by him.

The artists are Assoc. Prof. Ivan Uzunov, Head of the Department of Painting at St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Mihaila Mihaylova from Sofia, and Valentin Goleshev from Targovishte.

Through vivid imagery, the paintings depict the most important moments associated with the Christianisation of the Bulgarians, the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet, and its adoption throughout the Slavic world.

Cyril’s Testament to His Brother Methodius

In 869, exhausted by the arduous journeys undertaken during his missionary work, Cyril fell seriously ill. On his deathbed in...

Methodius Fulfils His Brother’s Testament

Methodius fulfilled his brother’s testament and, shortly after Cyril’s death, set out for Great Moravia. There, Pope Adrian II appointed...

Constantine-Cyril and Photius at the Magnaura School

The depiction of Constantine-Cyril and Photius at the Magnaura School brings together teacher and student, each destined for a remarkable...

Constantine-Cyril among the Saracens

When Constantine-Cyril was only 24 years old (851), the Byzantine rulers sent him on a mission to the Saracens in...

Creation of the Alphabet

Upon entering the hall on the first floor of the Fortress, visitors cross the boundaries of time and find themselves immersed in the medieval atmosphere in which the alphabet was created.

Here, the history of the written word comes to life. The wax sculptures, created by a team led by the Tarnovo artist Boris Borisov, convey the magic of the story of the greatness of the Bulgarian written word and those who blessed its creation.

The Disciples of the First Teachers of the Slavs

In front of the eastern wall, on a stone podium, stands a sculptural composition depicting the disciples of the first...

The Glagolitic and Cyrillic Alphabets

On the southern and western walls, the letters of the two alphabets – Glagolitic and Cyrillic – can be seen...

The letters

Each letter is presented as an extraordinary relief “picture”, offering an educational experience to everyone who observes it. The words...

The Russian Letters

One of the panels also displays the three letters added to the Cyrillic alphabet to reflect the distinctive sounds of...

Gradually, the hall will also be populated with other significant figures from medieval literary culture. In this way, “Creation of the Alphabet” will trace the history of the Cyrillic script from the moment of its creation to its transformation, through Paisius, into a legacy for today’s generations: “Bulgarian, know your people and your language!”

Here, past and present do not contradict one another, but are reflected in each other. All the wax figures are life-size and dressed in authentic period clothing, making visitors feel like guests in their ancient world.

This unique atmosphere, combined with modern equipment, makes the hall a frequent venue for conferences, presentations, children’s celebrations dedicated to the alphabet, concerts and other events. The hall has a capacity of 500 seats, while the podium can be transformed into a stage for various performances. It is also equipped with multimedia facilities and a high-quality sound system.

Bulgarian Glory

Wide exterior stone steps lead visitors to the second floor of the Fortress. The historical narrative continues with the most glorious rulers who transformed the First Bulgarian Empire into an invincible European power.