The earliest settlement at Pliska dates from the end of the 7th century. Initially, many of the structures were built from wood, but during the late 8th and early 9th centuries monumental stone architecture began to transform the appearance of the capital.

The centre of Pliska developed into a large fortified complex. Monumental palaces, administrative buildings, residential structures and defensive walls formed part of an extensive urban and political centre. The Inner City was protected by massive stone fortifications, while settlements and agricultural areas extended beyond the main walls.

The history of Pliska is closely connected with the rulers of the First Bulgarian Empire. The city was destroyed by the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I in 811, after which it was rebuilt and developed further. Under Khan Omurtag, the imperial complex was reconstructed and new monumental buildings were erected.

One of the most important monuments at Pliska is the Great Basilica, one of the most significant early Christian buildings in Bulgaria. Its construction reflects the profound transformation of Bulgarian society following the adoption of Christianity under Khan Boris I in the 9th century.

The Christianisation of Bulgaria created new cultural connections throughout the Balkans and the wider Slavic world. Later in the 9th century, the work of Cyril and Methodius and their disciples became particularly important for the development of Slavic Christian culture. Pliska therefore provides an important historical setting for understanding the political and cultural environment in which these transformations took place.

The archaeological reserve today allows visitors to walk among the remains of the ancient capital. The massive defensive walls, palace complex, Great Basilica and other archaeological structures demonstrate the scale of the medieval city.

Pliska is therefore more than an archaeological site. It represents a major turning point in the history of Bulgaria and the Balkans, where political power, Christianity and the cultural development of the Slavic world became increasingly interconnected.