Archaeological complex of Perperikon Photo: Archaeological complex of Perperikon

Perperikon is an archaeological complex of the medieval period, rock city, located in the Eastern Rhodope mountains 20 km on northeast from the town of Kardzhali. Rises above sea level at an altitude of 470 metres. At its foot is the village of Upper fortress (Bolg. Horn-Fortress), and the river of Picaresca.

This most ancient monumental megalithic monument, carved right into the rocks, perhaps the most majestic and mysterious of all the popular tourist destinations in Bulgaria.

Rocky top has been converted for housing in the V Millennium BC, in the times in the cultural life of the settlers was the dominant particular Pantheon of gods, among whom the worship was erected the Sun-God. The people behind the stone-copper age has created the first sanctuary, where he brought the vessels with offerings for the gods. During the bronze age rites continued, however, the development of metal tools have opened the possibility of carving out of the solid rock the whole room. This was when the rock was cut through a giant oval room, and in the center of this room was a huge circular altar for priestly rituals. According to recent archaeological research, the temple of Dionysus was at Perperikon.

The last Millennium before Christ and the first couple of centuries after this period of rapid development for rock temples, which grow into a full-fledged city with palaces, fortifications and adjacent structures. Presumably, there have been a Palace belonging to the king of a tribe of Thracians – Besi. Later, the Romans taught the Perperikon sophistication, and the tribes of the Goths in 378 year looting and burning rock city.

The next step for the city was the adoption of Christianity in the Rhodopes, then rock city becomes the seat of a Bishop. In VII-VIX centuries Perperikon – the center of a thriving region. The Bulgarians and the Byzantines repeatedly arranged the battle for the city. The end of the fourteenth century saw the arrival of the Turks, who conquered the fortress, and then destroyed it – from the moment of the existence of Perperikon began gradually to forget.

The former glory of Perperikon newly resurrected today, archeologists, cultural researchers and historians. Also, the city is interesting from a religious point of view. Can be called Perperikon is one of the wonders of the world. Various artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations at Perperikon, are stored in the municipal history Museum of Kardzhali.

Today the Perperikon leads well-maintained asphalt road at the foot of the hill there is a Parking lot.

I can add description


Archaeological complex of Perperikon
Ruins of fortress Krivus
Ruins of fortress Manak
The ruins of the castle in visegrád
Historical Museum