Historic Landmark
Shishmanovo Kale

Legend of the heroic death of Ivan Shishman marked forever area around Shishmanovo Calais. According to legend, in his last battle against the Turks here in 1388 , the head of the ruler was cut , rolled to 7 times and appeared 7 springs called Carevi wells. The King , very strong and healthy , with no head on his shoulders continued to cut with his sword the Turks. Of course, this is just a legend! Historical evidence challenged incredible story . King Shishman not lost his life here and his brother Ivan Asen V SHishman . The name of the Bulgarian ruler hold it forever even in the names of most of the sources , locations , passes , tops, a village and a monastery .

We have already mentioned the strong affinity of the local population to Shishman . It is probably not accidental. Each year on Gergiovden Roma neighborhood went to the hill take water , use it for drinking and washing sick people. They believe that it has miraculous powers .

Curious about Shishmanovo kale is that it is the first archaeological site caught the attention of Bulgarian publicists . In the 19th century wrote about him Renaissance educator Konstantin Luxor , encyclopaedic Ivan Bogorov and historian , folklorist and translator Ephraim Karanov .

Shishmanovo Kale , like other historical sites in the country, is not well studied. Systematic excavations there in 2004 , but three years research has been excavated only 10% of the premises. From the open then we know that the city stood on defense gate , a veritable city with walls and citadel . On two opposite hills were discovered two early Christian basilicas, datirati to V-VI century One is part of the monastery complex , contiguous to the fortress wall , and the other is located outside the city wall . In all likelihood it is in this church lived Bishop - "Little Samokov " as also called Shishmanovo Kale was episcopal center.

Besides a strong religious life in the area , it can be talked about well developed living conditions. There are farm buildings and workshops , ceramic, pottery and remnants of their products . Revealed to also shop for iron production , lots of coins , weights for weighing , arrows and parts of weapons. Partial remains of the tower in Shishmanovo kale allow you to see what this house of kastrofilaksa .