# Shumen Fortress castle

- **Country:** Bulgaria
- **Notes:** The origin of the Shumen fortress can be traced to the early Iron Age and was later owned by the Thracians in the 5th century BC. From 2nd to 4th centuries AD, it was controlled by the Romans who built towers and walls, and it was refurbished by the Byzantines as a garrison town. Shumen thrived in the Middle Ages as an important stronghold of the Bulgarian Empire. In 1444 it was destroyed by the Ottomans after their victory in the Battle of Varna over a Christian army under Władysław III of Poland. The fortress remained deserted ever since.

Shumen Fortress is a significant archaeological site situated on a hill within the Shumen Plateau Nature Park, offering a commanding view of the city of Shumen in north-eastern Bulgaria. Located approximately 5.5 kilometers from the city's Tombul Mosque and near the monumental Creators of the Bulgarian State, the site serves as a strategic landmark with deep historical roots. Its origins trace back to the early Iron Age, with established connections to a nearby village before becoming a Thracian stronghold in the 5th century BC. Over the centuries, the fortress evolved under various rulers, including the Roman Empire, which constructed towers and walls between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD, and the Byzantine Empire, which later utilized it as a garrison town.

During the Middle Ages, the fortress thrived as a crucial defensive stronghold for the Bulgarian Empire. Its military significance persisted until 1444, when it was destroyed by Ottoman forces following their victory at the Battle of Varna against a Christian army led by Władysław III of Poland. After this destruction, the site remained deserted for centuries, preserving layers of history from Ancient Thrace through the Ottoman period. Today, the fortress is partially restored and open to the public, allowing visitors to explore its ancient ruins and learn about its multifaceted past.

Major restoration efforts commenced in 2012 under the project titled "Bulgaria Begins Here," funded by the European Economic Area and Norway Grants. These works, completed partially in 2015 through collaboration between the Shumen Municipality and the Regional Museum of History, have revitalized the site for tourism and education. While the structure bears the scars of past conflicts, the ongoing preservation ensures that this key piece of Bulgarian heritage remains accessible, highlighting its role as a witness to the rise and fall of empires in the Balkans.

![Photo of Shumen Fortress castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Shumen_Fortress_Main_Tower.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shumen_Fortress (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)