The fortresses of Veria and Servia – strongholds of Samuel’s Bulgaria

By the end of 10th and the beginning of the 11th century the fortresses of Vereya and Servia were important posts in the defensive system of the Bulgarian Tsardom and “shields” against the intrusion of the Byzantine army in the Tsardom’s inner regions. 

The fortresses’ occupation by the Byzantines in 1001 represented a severe blow on Bulgaria which reduced its war ability. The fall of the fortresses of Vereya and Servia and other Bulgarian strongholds in the beginning of the 11th century was a turning point in the great fight between Bulgaria and Byzantium: the Byzantines took on the offensive, while the Bulgarians were on defensive.