Murfatlar Cave Complex

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Murfatlar murals displayed in Constanța Museum

The Basarabi-Murfatlar Cave Complex is a

Basarabi between 1924–1965 and 1975–2007), Constanța County, Northern Dobruja, Romania. The complex is a relict from a widespread monastic phenomenon in 10th century Bulgaria.[1]

History

The rock churches of Murflatlar, carved into a chalk hill, were discovered in 1957. The excavations conducted in 1957–1960 uncovered a complex of cells-dwellings, 4 small and 2 larger churches, crypts and tombs, all dating from the 9th – 11th century.[2][3][4] From the late 7th until beginning of the 11th century this territory was part of the First Bulgarian Empire.[5][6][7]

Inscriptions

There are many inscriptions engraved on the walls – 2 in the

Rus' invasion of Bulgaria.[13] Despite numerous attempts at cracking the Murfatlar script, there still is not a universally accepted decipherment, and it is rather heterogeneous.[14] Nevertheless, it is most likely that local monks drew their inspiration here.[15]

Image gallery

  • Basarabi Cave Complex
    Basarabi Cave Complex
  • View from inside the Complex
    View from inside the Complex
  • View from inside the Complex
    View from inside the Complex
  • Graffiti from the Basarabi Complex exhibited in the History Museum of Constanṭa
    Graffiti from the Basarabi Complex exhibited in the History Museum of Constanṭa

References

  1. ISBN 0521815398, p. 232.
  2. ^ И. Барня. Предварительные сведения о каменныйх памятниках Бесарби, – Dacia, VI, 1962;
  3. ^ I. Barnea, S. Stefanescu. – Din istoria Dobrogei, III, București, 1971, 180–233.
  4. ^ I. Barnea, V. Bilciurescu. Şantierul arheologic Basarabi (reg. Constanța), Materiale şi cercetări arheologice, București, 6, 1959, 541–566;
  5. ^ Nikolov, G., Centralism and regionalism in Bulgaria during the early Middle ages (end of the 7th— beginning of the 11th century, Централизъм и регионализъм в ранносредновековна България (края на VII— началото на ХІ в.), София 2005, стр. 195.
  6. ^ Political geography of medieval Bulgaria. From 681 to 1018. Петър Коледаров, Издателство на Българска Академия на Науките, София 1979, стр. 55.
  7. ISBN 0804726302
    , p. 523.
  8. ^ В. Бешевлиев: Етническата принадлежност на рунните надписи при Мурфатлар. – сп. Векове, 4, 1976, 12–22.
  9. ISBN 5-02-017741-5
    =
  10. ^ В. Бешевлиев: Етническата принадлежност на рунните надписи при Мурфатлар. – сп. Векове, 4, 1976, 12–22.
  11. ^ Florin Pintescu, PRESENCE DE L’ELEMENT VIKING DANS L’ESPACE DE LA ROMANITÉ ORIENTALE EN CONTEXTE MÉDITERRANÉEN, Studia Antiqua et Archaeologica, VIII, Iași, 2001
  12. ISBN 978-90-04-17536-5
  13. ISBN 9004252495
    , p. 27.
  14. ISBN 9004163891
    , p. 191.
  15. ^ The cave and the dyke: a rock monastery on the tenth-century frontier of Bulgaria. Florin Curta, Studia Monastica 41 (1999), no. 1: 129-149; p. 140.

External links

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