Pliska served as the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire from 681 to 893 AD. Today the archaeological reserve covers a vast area with the remains of the Great Basilica (the largest church in pre-Ottoman south-east Europe), the Inner Town fortifications, and the Khan’s Palace. It’s a fascinating and uncrowded site that gives you a real sense of the scale and ambition of early medieval Bulgaria. Combine it with a trip to Preslav for a full day of history.
Distance: 10 minutes by car