Mosque of Sultan Bayazid

Mosque of Sultan Bayazid, called by travellers The Pigeon Mosque, on the Seraskerat Parade Ground, is interesting solely on account of its courtyard, which is the finest and most picturesque of any mosque court in Constantinople. The columns supporting the numerous domes of the arcade running round it were taken from Greek monuments and churches ; in the centre is a beautiful ablution fountain surrounded by trees. This courtyard serves as a place of business for numerous public letter-fariters, seal-cutters, vendors of rosaries and Oriental perfumes.

During Eamazan it is crowded with tents containing stalls for the sale of all kinds of Egyptian and Persian sweets. The building derives its nickname of the ‘Pigeon Mosque ’ from the vast number of pigeons kept in its precincts, all descended from a single pair of these birds, bought from a poor woman by Sultan Bayazid and presented by him to the mosque. Travellers wishing to do so are allowed to feed the birds with grain, which can be procured for a piastre or two at the grain stall kept on purpose in the yard. The food of these birds is, however, provided for out of donations and funds bequeathed to the mosque for that purpose by pious Moslems.

Rustem Pasha Mosque, at Yemiss Iskelessi, just beyond the Egyptian bazaar, is remarkable for its tile-work, and will be found interesting by connoisseurs of this branch of art. Admission 10 piastres (Is. 8d.) each; less is also accepted.

Valideh Mosque, called Yenl Valideh Jamesl by the Turks, stands close to the Stambul end of Galata Bridge. Entrance through the gate opposite the Turkish General Post Office; only the galleries and Sultan’s private pew are visited; admission 5 piastres per head. This mosque, commenced in 1615 by the wife of Ahmed I. private tour istanbul, was completed in 1665 by the mother (Yalideh) of Sultan Muhammad IV. Its walls are covered with beautiful blue tiles, and the stained-glass windows in some of the rooms are very beautiful indeed.

Shah Zadeh mosque

The Tomb of Shah Zadeh (The Prince’s Tomb), in the garden of Shah Zadeh mosque, was erected in 1543-48 by Suleiman the Magnificent in memory of his son Muhammad who died at the age of eighteen. Admission 5 piastres per head. Travellers who are pressed for time should give this tomb the preference; its walls are faced with beautiful tiles of all colours, and a wooden railing in the centre of the building encloses three tombs. The middle one is that of Prince Muhammad (1525-43). The high wooden erection over the grave is said to have been put up by Suleiman’s orders, in allusion to the throne his unfortunate son would have occupied had he lived On the stool by the grave the deceased prince’s robes, said to be richly embroidered, are exhibited once a year during the month of Ramazan. The tomb on the right of Muhammad’s is that of his brother, Prince Mustapha ‘ Zihanghir,’ that on the left contains the remains of his sister.

Visitors should ask to see the beautifully illuminated Koran kept in this mausoleum, and said to have been transcribed by Prince Muhammad, who, however, did not live long enough to complete the work.

The Tomb of Sultan Muhammad II., the Conqueror, situated in the cemetery attached to the mosque of Muhammad II. Admission 10 piastres (Is. 8d.) per head. The tomb is an octagonal building with an interior almost as plain as its exterior. The walls are painted various colours, and are embellished with inscriptions. In a frame hanging before the window facing the door is a transcription of Muhammad’s prophecy, ‘ Thou shalt take Constantinople ; happy the prince, happy the army that achieves this.’ The conqueror’s grave is in the centre of the building, solitary, and surrounded by a wooden railing inlaid with mother- of-pearl. At the head is an enormous turban. On the left when entering, and near the window, is a box said to contain two of the prophet’s teeth lost in battle, and a portion of his beard, which are exhibited to the faithful on the 15th of Ramazan.

SEGMENTS OF A BELT

31. 6. SEGMENTS OF A BELT (?)

Odessos 6th century Gold, pearls, opal, green enamel 35,2 x 0,75 cm; 39,8 g Varna, Regional Museum of History,

32. PECTORAL CROSS – ENCOLPION

34. NECKLACE

A reconstruction 5th – 6th century Rock crystal, cornelian Tsarevets Hill, Veliko Tarnovo

35. TREASUREFROMAK-ALAN,TURKEY

Five belt appliques, 420 gold and 2 silver coins Byzantine workshop 7th century Gold 28,82 g total weight of the appliques; 22 carat gold Accidental find on March 1913, during the Balkan War, while digging trenches at the Chatal Tepe po-sitions, next to the village of Ak-alan, Turkey

The coins belong to Maurice Tiberius (582 – 602), Phokas (602 – 610), and Herakleios with his son Her-

akleios Constantine (610 – 641). Most probably the treasure was buried about the mid 7th century during one of the raids against Constantinople tour bulgaria.

Byzantium 10th -11th century

Silver 5,4 cm; l. of the rosette 0,013 cm

Discovered during the archaeological research of the administrative centre near the fortress of Per- perikon Kardzhali, Regional Museum of History,

37. MODEL OF A MATRIX FOR PRODUCING A METAL ICON WITH THE SCENE OF THE ANNUNCIATION

Constantinople? 12th – early 13th century Bronze 10,5 x 12,7 x 1 cm Provenance unknown Star a Zagora, Regional Museum of History,

38. MEDALLION FROM AN ICON

Byzantium First half of the 12th century Bone gold plated Diam. 2,8 cm; t. 0,2 cm

Discovered together with three more medallions from the same icon during archaeological research of the Medieval fortress of Assara near Zvezdel Mine, Kardzhali region Kardzhali, Regional Museum of History,

A round plate bearing the bust image of an angel in relief.

39. MEDALLION FROM AN ICON

Byzantium First half of the 12th century Bone, the gilding now damaged Diam. 2,8 cm; t. o,2 cm

Discovered in the Medieval fortress of Assara near Zvezdel Mine, Kardzhali region Kardzhali, Regional Museum of History,

A round plate bearing the bust image of a saint – warrior in relief.

40. MEDALLION FROM AN ICON

Byzantium

First half of the 12th century Bone gold plated Diam. 2,8 cm; t. 0,2 cm Discovered in the Medieval fortress of Assara near Zvezdel Mine, Kardzhali region Kardzhali, Regional Museum of History,

A round plate bearing the bust image of a saint – warrior in relief.

41. MEDALLION FROM AN ICON

Byzantium

First half of the 12th century Bone gold plated Diam. 2,8 cm; t. 0,2 cm Discovered in the Medieval fortress of Assara near Zvezdel Mine, Kardzhali region

A round plate bearing the bust image of Christ Pantokrator in relief.

42. PLATE Restored

Probably Corinth Second half of the 12th – early 13th century Ceramics, engobe H. 4,8 cm; diam. 24,4 cm

Discovered during archaeological research in Paleocastro area, Anhtalo, Burgas regton

Three animal figures engraved on the bottom – a horse, a running rabbit above it, and likely a similar figure below the horse’s legs. Coiling ivy (or wine) sprouts on both sides of the horse

River Kamchiya

South along the E-87 highway is the mouth of the River Kamchiya which flows through the Longoza reserve. A monument erected where the river flows into the sea commemorates a group of political immigrants who came to Bulgaria by submarine in 1941 to take part in the struggle against fascism.

The Kamchiya tourist complex combines all the qualities of a seaside resort with the beautiful scenery of the Longoza reserve. The Kamchiya and Longoza hotels offer 500 beds,

while the Rai campsite, the largest campmg ground in Bulgaria, has accommodation for 6,000, and the Pirin and Kamchiya camp sites have accommodation for 1,000 each. There are two restaurants, bar, food pavilions and souvenir shops. There are five other restaurants – Kamchiya, Kamchiiska Liliya, Kamchiiska Sreshta, Piknik and Nestinari which serve fish dishes city tours istanbul.

Four kilometres from the turning to the Kamchiya resort complex is the village of Staro Oiyahovo and the nearby resort, Skorpilovtsi with two camp sites, three restaurants, various pavilions and shops. The beach is of dunes and the sea is clean and shallow. The Horizont and Izgiev camp sites have accommodation for about 3,500, bungalows for 200 and two restaurants.

26 kilometres along the highway is Obzor (pop. 1,8001 with a wonderful combination of seaside and mountain resort. It has three restaurants and two camp sites, Prostor and Sluntse, in its surroundings.

About 35 kilometres further along the E-87 is Slunchev Bryag, the largest Bulgarian seaside resort. It has 106 hotels, with a total of 25,500 beds, 41 large restaurants, three places of entertainment and three camp sites accommodating 3,200,

Slunchev Bryag

Slunchev Bryag is an exotic resort and is a favourable with foreign tourists. Here the sand is finer, with small dunes on the beach, the water is shallow, the sandy seabed slopes gently and the sun is perfect. It is only four kilometres from the fairy-tale peninsula town of Nessebur.

The buildings successfully combine the traditions of old Bulgaria with modem conceptions. Glass facades admit the maximum amount of sunshine, while vaulted and yokesbaped eaves, walls and verandahs covered with vines and quiet inner courtyards provide an ideal environment, attractive to thousands of holidaymakers from all over the world.

The beach here is six kilometres long and more than 150 metres wide in places. The temperature in July averages 22°C rarely reaching more than 30°C. Gentle sea breezes keep the air fresh and the nights are cool.

The medical clinic is some 200 metres from Diamant Hotel, left of the main road leading to Varna, There are also two pharmacies, one next to the clinic and the other near the post office, both open from 8,00 a,m. to 8.0 pm.

Slunchev Bryag is a children’s paradise. Day care centres are organized under the supervision of qualified teachers, trained nurses and doctors. For a minimum fee, children can be looked after in kindergartens near Hotels Persenk, Balkan, Gramada. Trakia. Continental, Zornitsa and Mercury.

Near the Hotels Sokol and Iskur tennis courts are open from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. The mini-golf course next to Hotels Sever, Iskur and Balaton is also open from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

A small electric train links Fregata Bar at the southern end with the night club Vyatarna Melmtsa (Windmill) at the northern. There is a bus service between Fregata Bar and the Hanska Shatra Tavern. Bicycles may be hired at the information bureau near Ropotamo Hotel.

Before Vama

Some 18 km before Vama, is the Stone Forest — a semidesert area covered with yellow sand and groups of stone columns up to 6-7 m high. They are supposed to have been formed as a result of the action of the wind, water and sand, which eroded the softer rocks, leaving the hardei ones. Recently another group of stone trees was found near the village of Beloslav.

SOFIA – KARLOVO – KAZANLUK – MOUNT SHIPKA – SLIVEN – ROURGAS – SLUNCHEV BRYAG (440 km)

This route runs along one of Bulgaria’s most modem mo-torways, E-772, between the Balkan Range and Sredna Gora mountain towards the sea, crossing the famous Valley of Roses. The road climbs the Sarantsi saddle and Gulubets hill and then descends into Zlatitsa-Pirdop valley to the town of Srednogo- rie (pop. 15,800) which was founded in 1978 by merging the towns of Zlatitsa and Pirdop and has refineries for copper, blue vitriol, rare and white metals. 20 km south is the Pana- gyurski kolonii resort.

Bulgaria’s largest Coppermine (Medet) is nearby.

16 km from Srednogorie a detour leads to Koprivshtitsa (pop. 3,600) situated on both sides of the Topolnitsa River at an altitude of 1,060 m. Every street and every house here is a monument to the heroic past of this region. It was here that the first shot was fired on 20 April 1876 to mark the outbreak of the April Uprising against the Turks. Many historical and architectural monuments from the National Revival period have been preserved. The houses of Koprivshtitsa. are particularly interesting — higti spacious buildings with carved wooden decorations, solid stone walls and heavy wooden gates. The oldest architectural monument is the Pavlikenska House, early 18th century. Other buildings include craftsmen’s writers’and revolutionaries’houses. Koprivshtitsa was the first town liberated by the partisans on 24 March 1944.

Hotels: Koprivshtitsa, one star, tel. 21-18; Barikadite — (18 km southwest, 3 storeys, 30 beds, restaurant, night club and national taverna. Tel. 20-91).

The next stop along the E-772 isKlissoura (pop. 2,000) — a small mountainous town burnt down during the April 1876 Uprising. The village of Rozino follows, famous for its rose gardens and rose-distilleries. Next is Sopot (11,000), buried in greenery and steeped in the romanticism of the National Revival period. The patriarch of Bulgarian literature — Ivan Va- zov (1850-1921) was bom here and his birth place is now a museum of the National Revival Period, The Museum of Ivan Zagoubanski, courier for the underground Iskra newspaper published in Munich. Balkantourist hotel — Stara Planina — 2 stars, accommodating 84, restaurant. Tel.: 21-23 and 21-25.

Karlovo (pop. 26,000) is situated in the centre of the Valley of Roses and is an important transport junction. The town was well-known in Vienna and Egypt during the National Revival period, thanks to its trade with attar of roses and craftsmen’s goods. The revolutionary during liberation from Ottoman domination — Vassil Levski (1837-1873) was bom here and his birth place is now a museum sofia guided tours.

Koprivshtitsa. The monument to GeorgiBenkovski

Balkantourist hotel — Rozova Dolina, accommodating 105; a restaurant. Sofia hotel, a tourist hostel. The next town in the Valley of Roses is Kalofer (pop. 6,000), situated on both banks of the Toundja river, 17 km from Karlovo. It was founded in the 16th century, by refugees after the Ottoman invasion. It developed rapidly probably as a crafts centre. It is the birth place of the poet-revolutionary Hristo Botev (1848 -1876). Roza hotel 2 stars, 2 floors, 50 beds, a tourist hostel.

Further east 39 km from Kalofer is Kazanluk (pop. 58,0) , founded in the 15th century. It was known in the past only as a producer of attar of roses, but today it is an important industrial centre as well.