The Battle of Tryavna Pass

After the uprising of the brothers Asen and Peter in 1185 and the restoration of the Bulgarian state, Byzantium did everything possible to regain control of its lost territories. The late twelfth century was marked by bitter and bloody wars with the empire. In the spring of 1190, after an unsuccessful campaign into Bulgaria's interior, the Byzantines withdrew south across the Balkan Mountains through Tryavna Pass. Emperor Isaac II Angelos commanded the Byzantine army in person, while Tsar Ivan Asen I led the Bulgarians. In the fierce battle that followed, the Byzantine army was utterly defeated. The emperor escaped at the cost of many lives, but most of his troops died in the pass. Numerous valuable trophies fell into Bulgarian hands. The victory of 1190 was one of the most important battles in the wars between Byzantium and the Asen dynasty to secure the Bulgarian Empire's independence.

The battle ended in success for the Bulgarian state and consolidated the strength of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The Bulgarian army also captured the imperial treasure, including the Byzantine emperor's gold crown and sceptre.