Samuel's Fortress, Ohrid

Samuel's Fortress (Macedonian: Самуилова тврдина, Bulgarian: Самуилова крепост) 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.

For other places of the same name, see Samuel's Fortress (disambiguation)
Samuel's Fortress
Ohrid, North Macedonia
The fortress of Tsar Samuel by night
Samuel's Fortress
Coordinates41.115°N 20.791°E / 41.115; 20.791
TypeCastle
Site information
Open to
the public		Yes
Site history
Built4th century B.C.
Built byOriginal ruins: Philip II of Macedon
Current fortress: Tsar Samuil
MaterialsLimestone

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]

  • 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
  • Castle of Samuil in Ohrid, reconstruction
  • 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
  • Ancient golden burial mask and the golden hand discovered in the palace area

References
  1. 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.
  2. "Culture — Republic of Macedonia". www.culture.in.mk. Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-10-13.

See also
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