Bitola

Bitola was chosen as the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire after Ohrid fell under Byzantine rule in 1015. By decision of the reigning Bulgarian tsar, Ivan Vladislav, it became the centre of power. This period is reflected in the Bitola inscription, carved on his orders. Considered one of the oldest Bulgarian inscriptions, it mentions the restoration of Bitola's fortress in 1015 by the 'autocrat of the Bulgarians', John himself.

The Bitola inscription is a marble slab bearing a text in Old Bulgarian. It presents Tsar Ivan Vladislav as the grandson of Nicholas and Ripsimia and the son of Prince Aaron, Tsar Samuel's brother. Carved between 1015 and 1017, it records work to strengthen Bitola's fortress, begun on 20 October 1015. The purpose was to protect the Bulgarian people and consolidate power in the new capital.

The slab was discovered in December 1956 during the demolition of the Chaush Mosque in Bitola and was later displayed in the local museum. In 1970, its text was published by the Bulgarian scholars Yordan Zaimov and Vasilka Tapkova-Zaimova. Their research confirmed the Bulgarian origin of the ruler and population at that time.

During Ivan Vladislav's reign, active fighting took place around Bitola. In autumn 1015, the Bulgarian army achieved a temporary victory against the Byzantines, postponing the empire's fall. Nevertheless, in February 1018, after Tsar Ivan Vladislav died in the battle at Dyrrachium, the First Bulgarian Empire finally came under Byzantine rule, ending Bitola's role as capital.