Ruins of the medieval town-fortress Hotalich are located 4km north-west from the today`s town of Sevlievo. The fortress was built by the Byzantines in the 5th century. In 10th century, at the same location, the Bulgarian state began construction of defense facilities to defend the country from the barbarian invasions from the north and Byzantium from the south.
The fortress was the largest in area except these of the old Bulgarian capitals Pliska, Preslav and Veliko Tarnovo.The excavations of medieval town of Hotalich and the fortress began for the first time in 1981. The archaeologists were found a high tower, two parallel walls (first of them dates back to the Early Byzantine period and the second from the 9th-10th century), remains of two main gates, ruins of quarters, churches, palace of the boyar (the local ruler), etc.
References:The Jacques Cartier Manor House is the only existing property wich belonged to Cartier, the discoverer of Canada, in 1534. It’s a rare example of a great 16th century explorer’s home. Jacques Cartier opened up the North American continent to the French via the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The manor house has been restored and furnished to illustrate both the everyday life and the travels of its famous owner. From the kitchen with its red clay floor, to the explorer’s bedroom, this museum has lost none of its period charm.