Asenova fortress is a medieval fortress in the Rhodope mountains, located on a hill of the left Bank Chepelare river, South of 2-3 kilometers from Asenovgrad. According to archeological excavations, the first fortifications on this site appeared in the IX century. In particular, this is evidenced by the coins found in the time of Governor Theophilus.

Asenova fortress was an important centre, which controlled movement through the river valley to the Aegean sea from Plovdiv. This was facilitated by the favorable location right in the Rhodope mountains.

The original castle was a small tower around which eventually began to settle rural buildings. They were later separated into two tiny villages – Stanimaka and Petrich.

First mention of Assenov fortress found in the Charter of the Bachkovo monastery of the XI century: it refers to "a fortified settlement Petrich". By the way, this settlement existed only until the XIV century. During the period, which was the Third crusade, the castle was seized, then it was referred to as Skribenten.

The fortress was rebuilt in 1231, during the reign of Ivan Asen II. According to the inscription on the wall, the restructuring was necessary for the defence of the Bulgarians from the Latins. Wall height was 12 meters width – 3 meters. In fact it was a feudal castle. Today there you can see three surviving tanks-reservoirs and three dozen different rooms.

Well-preserved temple of the Dormition of the Mother of God of the XII-XIII centuries. This two-story single-aisled cruciform Church. Inside the Church is decorated with frescoes painted by masters of the XIV century.

The fortress was captured by the Byzantines after the death of the Bulgarian Tsar Asen II, again it was returned to the Bulgarian Tsar John Alexander closer to the middle of the XIV century. But after it was conquered by the Turks. During this period, the fortress was abandoned, functioned only in the Church.

The Russians in 1878, stepping on the Ottoman forces, recaptured, together with the village Stanima Assenov and ruins of the fortress. In 1934 the town was renamed in Asenovgrad, and in the 70s on the territory of the fortress began active archaeological work.

By 1991, the experts completed the restoration of the fortress and it became a national monument of culture.