The life in Veliki Preslav, which we know from sources and miniatures, as well as from the archaeological excavations, was not only splendor and ceremonies. Everyday life of Preslav’s citizens was surely influenced by the capital’s traditions and mentalities, but it was also rich and busy with everyone’s desires to maintain a livelihood for his/her family. Early in the morning the king’s supervisors regulated the fresh water and the wall guards opened the gates when the sunrise came. Merchants from countries near or far offered numerous goods and foodstuffs while the harmony of skillful masters’ instruments and machines resonated throughout the neighborhoods. On the stone-made streets hurried the king’s purveyors, people smelled freshly baked bread and tasty dishes. Day after day constructors, stone-carvers, and decorators were building different stately buildings, while others erected monumental fortress walls. Soldiers in the barracks repaired their armament and learned battle formations and tactical know-how, while engineers created a wide range of siege weapons. Throughout the town one could occasionally catch melodious church songs, which were often interrupted by hunting or war-horns proclaiming meetings for worthy-men … Proud aristocrats and foreign merchants, as well as nimble servants and announcers—they all animated the daily life of the capital town. And when some noble lady surrounded by domestics, crossed the square everyone gawked at her silk dresses, at her medallions and earrings and necklaces, decorated with pearls and precious stones.  Ordinary women did not shine in gold, but they walked proudly, even with more slender frames. Their jewels were pure, but very artistically made by Preslavian masters. Thus, under many sunrises and sunsets, Veliki Preslav created its history and culture to exist even until today.

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