Mesemvria in the Mediaval Ages- Historical overview

When speaking about Mesembria in the Middle Ages, we must begin with the so-called barbarian invasions. As already mentioned at the end of the Roman period, during the 4th and 6th centuries, the Goths repeatedly attacked the Black Sea coast. They were followed by the Huns and later the Slavs in the 6th and 7th centuries, who also devastated the eastern provinces of the empire. In fact, none of these invasions succeeded in capturing the city, as it was part of the overall defensive system of the new capital, Constantinople, and was strongly fortified. You can learn more about these fortifications at the chapter near the city walls.

By the end of the 7th century, however, the situation in the region changed significantly. To the north of Haemus, the Balkan Mountains, visible north of the city, the Bulgars, led by their ruler Asparuh, settled and established their own state, which would become a constant threat to the empire for the next 800 years.

Their settlement was not uncontested. In 680 AD, the Eastern Roman emperor Constantine the Fourth Pogonatus launched a campaign against them, reaching the Danube Delta, where the Bulgars had established their fortified camp. Shortly after arriving, however, the emperor withdrew from the battlefield and came to Mesembria to treat his gout. Seeing their commander leave, his troops assumed a retreat and followed him. The Bulgars seized the opportunity, left their fortifications, and attacked the withdrawing Byzantine forces, inflicting a crushing defeat.

Following the Battle of Ongal, the East Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, signed a peace treaty with the Bulgars, recognizing their new state north of the Haemus Mountains. Thus, in 681 AD, the First Bulgarian State was officially established south of the Danube. From that point onward, the fortress of Mesembria became a key strategic point for both attack and defense against the Bulgars. Its strength lay in its strong fortifications, its proximity to both the sea and the mountain passes leading toward the early Bulgarian capitals, and the wide bay and beaches of today’s Sunny Beach resort, which provided excellent conditions for the rapid landing of troops arriving by sea from Constantinople.

The fortress of Mesembria was first captured by the Bulgars under Khan Krum, known as “the Terrible,” in 812 AD. For the first time, siege engines were used in its conquest. It was also during this time that the city was first referred to as “Mesebar,” later evolving into Nesebar. A Bulgarian garrison was installed, and Bulgarian settlers were brought into the city. However, just two years later, the Byzantines recaptured it, and a 30 year peace treaty was signed, leaving Mesembria once again under Byzantine control.

For nearly a century after this treaty of 815, the city was not the target of military attacks. However, at the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th century, the political situation changed. With the accession of Tsar Simeon of Bulgaria, tensions rose after Emperor Leo the Sixth decided to relocate the Bulgarian market from Constantinople to Thessaloniki. This prompted Simeon to launch a military campaign in 894 AD, an event considered the first documented trade war in Europe.

Through a series of successful campaigns against the Byzantines, Hungarians, and Serbs, Simeon greatly expanded the Bulgarian state. From present-day northern Romania in the north, to near Athens in the south, to the Adriatic Sea in the west, and to the Black Sea in the east. Apart from his participation in military campaigns, Simeon the First of Bulgaria also worked tirelessly in the field of culture. His reign is remembered as the “Golden Age” of Bulgaria, and he is known as Simeon the Great.

Mesembria played a direct role in these events. In 917 AD, near the city, Tsar Simeon decisively defeated the Byzantine army. Shortly afterward, the fortress of Mesembria was taken without resistance. For the next several decades, the city remained under Bulgarian control and served as an important center for relations between Bulgaria and Byzantium.

During the reign of Simeon’s successor, Tsar Peter, important diplomatic meetings between Bulgarian and Byzantine representatives took place in the city. In 927 AD, a new 30 year peace treaty was signed in Constantinople.

Later developments again tied Mesembria’s fate to the shifting balance between Bulgaria and Byzantium. Emperor John Tzimiskes captured the Bulgarian capital Veliki Preslav and, along with it, Mesembria. During this period, Varangians, which is the Roman name for the Vikings, from Kyiv Rus began trading in the city. Many of them later entered Byzantine service as elite bodyguards of the emperors.

From the 10th to the mid-11th century, Mesembria continued to function as an independent archbishopric, and church construction remained active. In 1140, its archbishop was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.

The Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria under Emperor Basil II, known as “the Bulgar-Slayer,” in 1018 imposed heavy taxation that lasted until 1186, when Bulgaria regained independence following the uprising of the brothers Asen and Peter. The rebellion reached the outskirts of Mesembria, which suffered devastation and plundering. In 1201, the city was once again captured by Tsar Kaloyan, the younger brother of Asen and Peter.

Meanwhile, dramatic events unfolded in Constantinople. In 1204, during the Fourth Crusade, the city was captured and looted by the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade. The Byzantine Empire collapsed and was replaced by the Latin Empire. In 1206, Emperor Henry of Flanders launched a campaign against the Black Sea cities but failed to capture Mesembria.

Despite the shifting political situation, Mesembria remained within the Bulgarian state until 1256. However, in 1257, the Latin Emperor Baldwin, supported by the Venetian fleet, launched a campaign against the Bulgarians. Venetian forces under Admiral Giacomo Doro besieged and captured Mesembria, carrying off the relics of Saint Theodore Stratelates to Venice.

In 1261, the Byzantine Empire was restored by Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, and in 1263 Mesembria once again became part of it. The city retained its importance as a trading and port center, with active commerce carried out by Genoese and Venetian merchants. They exported grain and imported valuable textiles.

Due to its strategic importance, Mesembria often became a “bone of contention,” not only between Byzantium and Bulgaria but also during invasions by other peoples. In 1284, a Mongol army of horsemen crossed the Danube, devastated Bulgarian lands, and advanced toward Thrace, approaching Mesembria. Fortunately, at that time, a Byzantine general named Umbertopoulos, of Norman origin, was stationed there with a small but well-trained force. He launched a surprise attack on the Mongol detachment and defeated them, saving the city from destruction.

Four decades later, in 1308, the city was captured again by the Bulgarians. Byzantium regained it in 1323, and in 1328 it once more became part of Bulgaria.

Despite these frequent changes in control, the city’s economic role remained strong. It continued to be an important trade center. Competition between Venetian and Genoese merchants often led to tensions with both Bulgarian and Byzantine authorities. In 1316, for example, Genoa issued a decree forbidding its merchants from trading in Mesembria, in response to privileges that were no longer recognized by the Bulgarian ruler Theodore Svetoslav. Later, in 1352, Tsar Ivan Alexander signed a new trade agreement granting greater privileges to the Venetians, who likely established a trading colony in the city.

The prosperity of Mesembria during Ivan Alexander’s reign left a lasting impression on its inhabitants, but it did not last long. In 1351, the Genoese fleet under Admiral Paganino Doria attacked and plundered the city.

An important episode followed in 1366, when Count Amadeus VI of Savoy captured Mesembria during a crusade. Initially aimed against the Ottoman Turks, the campaign changed direction after the Byzantine emperor was captured by the Bulgarians. Amadeus sought to pressure the Bulgarians into releasing his relative, the emperor. Western knights besieged the city and, using early firearms, succeeded in capturing it. The emperor was released, and the city was returned to Byzantine control.

The Bulgarians made no further attempts to retake the city, as they were increasingly occupied with the advancing Ottoman Turks. In 1396, Mesembria was captured by the Ottomans for the first time, later returned to Byzantium, and remained under its control until 1453. The city ultimately surrendered peacefully to the Ottomans and was spared destruction.
For the subsequent period of Ottoman rule, you can see the point at the Turkish bath.