Maps of Power

Ireček 1974

Properties

ID 119472
System Class Bibliography
Bibliography Book
Case Study Historical Region of Macedonia TIB 16 , Byzantino-Serbian Border Zones in Transition (1282–1355)

Description

Konstantin Ireček, Pătuvanija po Bălgarija (Sofija 1974).

Relations

Places (2)
Name Class Begin End Description
Kraište Place Based on the medieval written sources and the toponymy, we are able to identify the border zone between the Serbian and Bulgarian realms in the first half of the 14th century. According to the Serbian Archbishop Danilo II (ca. 1270-1337) the Bulgarian Tsar Michael III Šišman (reigned 1323-1330) invaded Serbian territory before the Battle of Velbužd on 28 July 1330, i.e. the area of the Upper Valley of the River Struma and the town of Zemen, which both belonged to the Serbian realm. In the Defter for the Sanjak Köstendil from the years 1570 to 1572 the region of Kraište is named "Gorno Kraište". Based on the toponymy, we are able to discern the respective area as a border zone between the two aforesaid realms. The renowned historian Konstantin Jireček (1854-1918) maps a toponym called "Kraište" to the North-West of Velbužd (today Kjustendil in Bulgaria), which as a term in itself denotes a border zone.
Mraka Place After the battle of Velbužd on 28 July 1330 the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski (reigned 1321-1331) advanced towards the region of Mraka (na město glagolěmo Mraku). Mraka was a border zone between the Serbian and the Bulgarian realms. It is mentioned in the charter of King Stefan Dečanski for the Monastery of Saint Nikola Mrački (Pešterski manastir), which was issued in the year 1330 (otь Mraku). The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan (reigned 1331-1355) confirmed the possessions of the Monastery of Hilandar in April 1348, among them also the Monastery of Saint Nikola in Mraka (crьkovь na Mracě svety Nikolae).