NICOPOLIS (Turk. Nikopol, anc. Nicopolis ad Istrum), a town of European Turkey, capital of a pashalic in Bulgaria, stands on the right bank of the Danube, just below its confluence with the Aluta from the N., and the Osma from the S., 80 miles S.W. of Bukharest, and 280 N.W. of Constantinople. It consists of two parts; one of which, inhabited by Mohammedans, and protected by a fortress, stands on a cliff of limestone, several hundred feet high, rising from the river, and surrounded on the other three sides by a ravine. Though provided with heavy pieces of artillery, this castle, being commanded by the surrounding heights, is of very little importance as a defence. The Mussulman town is further defended by ramparts and batteries; and though generally ill built, it presents a fine appearance, with the many glittering minarets of its handsome mosques. On the slopes which rise beyond the ravine, stand groups of white houses, forming the other part of the town, and occupied by Bulgarians, Wallachians, and Jews. The surrounding country is very beautiful, and much of it is laid out in gardens. Owing to its convenient situation on the Danube, Nicopolis is a place of some commercial activity. It was originally founded by Trajan, of whose fortifications some remains still exist; and it is remarkable as the place where the Sultan Bayezid I. defeated Sigismund, King of Hungary, in 1396. It has since that time been repeatedly injured by the Russians. Pop. about 10,000.