As we entered the Tuida fortress in Sliven we teleported to the Middle Ages. I’ve always wanted to travel back in time and this surreal experience gave us the opportunity to experience history firsthand. The fortress played a key role in the defense of the Roman and Early Byzantine Empires, and later of the Medieval Bulgarian State. It is in close proximity to the city, but it is also in a more protected and secluded place. From there you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the city of Sliven and the “Blue Stones” natural park.

Brief History of Tuida Fortress

Ancient Roman marketplace

There was life in this area from 6,000 years BC. until the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century, as Thracian sanctuaries were originally located here. The Thracians lived in the “Novo Selo” district – the district outside the fortress. In the 2nd – 3rd centuries AD the area became a marketplace near the city, from where strategic roads pass. In the 4th century attacks became more frequent and the population was forced to climb the hill and began to build a fortress.

Medieval Fortress

Tuida Fortress was built with stones, bricks and mortar. In the first construction, the brick walls were in three rows, and in the second – there were five rows. The reason is that the more bricks there are in a wall, the more they absorb the vibration when hit by weapons, and the more difficult it becomes to destroy the wall.

In addition to written sources, Tuida has been known since 1970, when they began to build a reservoir in the western part of the fortress. They came across its remains and later in 1982 they began to study it. During the first large-scale excavations, the eastern fortress wall was the best preserved one. Only 10-15% of the fortress has been explored so far, which means from now on we expect many more excavations and discoveries.

Theories about the exodus of the local population

During peaceful times only those close to the royal power remained in the fortress – the clergy and the rulers. The local population used to live outside of the fortress, but in times of invasions they gathered inside to be able to save and protect themselves.

At the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century, life in the fortress died down completely. There are several theories about the exodus of the local people. One is that there was an epidemic of the plague and the people went in the direction of the nearby fortresses in search of a safer place. The other is that because of the more frequent crusades, the local population began to move in the direction of Veliko Tarnovo. Both theories have yet to be confirmed or denied.

Leisure activities in the medieval city

Our adventure at Tuida Castle began by wearing medieval costumes. We were told about the different types of weapons that were used in the past and Zafo even got to try archery. In the evening on the open stage in Tuida there was a charity concert with the participation of Dicho and a great show with fireworks. Funds were raised for drums for young musical talents from Sliven. It’s obvious that rock is revered in this city. In addition to concerts, the amphitheater stage also hosts various theater productions. In the days surrounding the holiday of Sliven – Dimitar’s day- October 26, a historical reenactment is organized on the territory of the fortress.

Tuida offers an interactive package “A day in the medieval city”, targeting students with the aim of making it easier for them to remember what they have learned about the Middle Ages through experience. All participants dress in medieval clothing. They are divided into groups and each group has a different role.

The soldiers learn to shoot, the cooks prepare dishes from the medieval cuisine – bulgur, bread and lentils. Artisans make soaps wrapped in wool and builders help build the yurt. There is also a treasury and everyone has a certain amount of medieval currency at the start. When they are done with their duties, they can visit their classmates in the other roles and exchange knowledge. The program ends with a dance that everyone joins in on. According to the impressions of the fortress team, the students completely forget to use their phones, are engaged in the activities and manage to be transported to the Middle Ages, even if only for a few hours.

Accomodation in a yurt – the alternative way of camping

I have spent the night in a tent and in a car, but I admit that the yurt is the most unusual and interesting place I have ever stayed in. This alternative form of camping is a great compromise for people who seek peace and unity with nature, but do not want to give up everyday amenities such as electricity, showers and toilets. The fortress is in no way inferior to the well-established campsites and was even guarded at night. The lanterns they had provided us did a very good job as lighting in the yurt. We also had a padlock to lock the door. At the Tourist Information Center we could charge our mobile phones and equipment.

I highly recommend the experience – it is truly one of a kind and very surreal. You are surrounded by the ruins of a medieval fortress, mountains and a wonderful panorama towards Sliven, and the night sky is full of stars.

What is the difference between a tent and a yurt?

If you’re wondering what exactly a yurt is, it’s a round and easily portable wooden structure made of felt or animal skins that nomadic tribes used for housing. A yurt is much more stable and weather resistant than a regular tent, offers more amenities and can function as a traditional room.

The Tuida team is still developing yurt accommodation as a concept and collecting information on whether tourists are interested in this type of alternative tourism.

Karandila Lake and Blue Stones Natural Park

We managed to combine our visit to the medieval fortress with a walk through the “Blue Stones” nature park – the trademark of Sliven. The nature park is called the Blue Stones because in this part of Stara Planina there is largest deposit of a specific mineral in all of Europe – quartz-porphyry. This mineral, when in contact with water, creates the illusion that the stones are blue. Therefore, even after rain, the stones look blue, dark blue, almost purple. The same effect can be observed, but not with such saturated colors, in the evening, when the sun sets, and in the morning when it rises, but then it is due to a moss that is under these rocks.

The nature park can be reached by lift in 20 minutes (an incredible panorama of Sliven can be seen) and by car in 30-40 minutes (the views of the rocks are breathtaking). We were impressed that the park is full of children and there are plenty of different attractions for them – rope city, playgrounds, tennis courts. There is also a restaurant near the lake with a buffet. We got quite hot, so I recommend visiting the park when the sun is not so strong.

If you are planning a trip to Sliven, you can also check out Museum of Textile and First Factory in Sliven.