At the end of July, the first phase of the research, conservation and socialization of one of the last fortresses of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom from the end of the 14th century – Kokalyansky Urvich, carried out by archaeologists from the National Museum of History and the Section for Medieval Archaeology of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, was completed.
Kokalyansky Urvich fully accessible to the citizens of Sofia and guests of the capital
At the end of July, the first phase of the research, conservation and socialization of one of the last fortresses of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom from the end of the 14th century – Kokalyansky Urvich, carried out by archaeologists from the National Museum of History and the Section for Medieval Archaeology of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, was completed. The project of the National Museum of History “The Citadel of Kokalyan Urvich” is realized with the financial support of the Directorate of Culture and is in line with the horizontal priorities of Sofia Municipality for 2022, namely, to be related to the discovery, preservation and socialization of the immovable cultural heritage of the capital. It provided an opportunity to obtain new information on the historical development of the capital as part of the centuries-old Bulgarian culture.
My favourite place in the outskirts of Sofia”, said the Mayor of the capital Yordanka Fandakova during today’s visit to Kokalyansky Urvich and noted that the Kokalyan fortress is a priority project for Sofia Municipality. Along with one of the largest prehistoric settlements in Europe “Slatina”, located in the metropolitan area of the same name, the Urvich Fortress is of utmost importance for the development of Sofia as a competitive municipality in the field of cultural tourism and education. In front of the team of the archaeological expedition of the project “The Citadel of Kokalyan Urvich”, with scientific supervisors Violina Kiryakova, NIM and Philip Petrunov, NAIM – BAS, Mrs. Fandakova shared more, that Sofia Municipality will continue to fund projects through the Culture Programme, such as the project developed and proposed by the NIM “Project for the conservation of the archaeological structures of the late medieval monastery around the Church of St. Prophet Elijah”, in the fortress Kokalyansky Urvich.
Urban archaeology is leading the development of cultural tourism and the rediscovery of the capital, presenting events from our history, recorded in archaeological layers, which should be preserved and shown to new generations. Through the realization of the project “The Citadel of Kokalyansky Urvich”, besides revealing new scientific data about one of the most important cultural and historical sites within the city of Sofia, a more accessible environment is provided in the surroundings of the capital and a favorite place for recreation of the citizens of Sofia and their guests. In the hot summer days the fortress Kokalyanski Urvich offers an excellent opportunity for a cool walk in the mountains Plana, Lozenska and Vitosha, as well as by the cooling rapids of the Iskar River.
Thanks to the ongoing excavation and socialization of the citadel of Kokalyan Urvich during the 2022 archaeological season, the remains of a second Christian temple were discovered, the functioning of which dates back to the 14th-17th centuries. In the ruins of the temple, along with hundreds of fresco fragments, many interesting finds were discovered. Until this year, only one Christian temple was known, located in the low part of the fortification. His research was started in 1969 by prof. Dimitar Ovcharov.
The immediate proximity of the fortress Kokalyansky Urvich to the city and its accessibility by public transport provides an exceptional opportunity for the organization of educational activities related to the support of the educational process in the history of the capital’s schools and universities. Pupils and students have the unique opportunity to experience in real time the revealed antiquities by organizing outdoor lessons, conducting green schools and innovative approaches in the educational process of the adolescent and young audience. The socialization of Kokalyansky Urvich perfectly combines the opportunities for unlimited access to cultural heritage, nature and education.
Currently, students from New Bulgarian University, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Veliko Tarnovo University “St. Sv. Cyril and Methodius” and Shumen University “Bishop Konstantin Preslavsky”. It is planned to hold a series of seminars on “Medieval Fortress Construction – Landscapes and Architectural Techniques”, as well as specialized trainings for students of archaeology, history, restoration and conservation.
The second phase of the research and activities at the site “The Citadel of Kokalyan Urvich” will continue in October 2022, under the project of the National Museum of History with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture.
