
Belogradchik Fortress
The Belogradchik Fortress is situated at a distance of 1.5 km from the town of Belgradchik, among the renowned Belogradchik rocks.
The fortress has existed since Roman times. In the 1st – 3rd century AD, the Romans built roads in the new provinces of the empire on the Balkan peninsula, as well as fortresses to guard them.
The mission of the Belogradchik Fortress was to control the road from the town of Ratsiaria (near today’s village of Archar in the region of Vidin). The Romans constructed the highest part of the fortress, called The Citadel.
There are remains of another fortress at a distance of a few meters from it – Latin Stronghold, which served as an assisting fortification.
Upon the separation of the Roman Empire in 395, the Balkan lands entered within the borders of Byzantium. At the end of 7th century, the Belogradchik Fortress fell within the territory of the newly created Bulgarian state.
During the time of Tsar (King) Ivan Sratsimir (1356 – 1396), the fortress was broadened and fortified. In 1396, the Ottomans conquered it and later reconstructed it. Garrison for protection of the west part of the empire and for the oppression of the Bulgarians’ revolts was built.
In 1850, when the Belogradchik Uprising was routed, its leaders were taken away through one of the fortress tunnels and beheaded. On this place today raises a monument of their heroism. In 1885, during the war between Serbia and Bulgaria (1885), the fortress was last used as a military installation. It was declared an architectural and constructional monument in Issue 41 of the State Gazette of 1965.
The Belogradchik Fortress has three yards separated from one another, the total area of which reaches 10 210 square meters, and one fortification. Even nowadays embrasures (openings) for guns and three bastions and embrasures for cannons can be seen on the fortress walls.
The highest point of the fortress, called First Slab, reveals a beautiful view towards the Balkan.
The region is very popular among the tourists because of the beauty of the Belogradchik Rocks and the multiple historical landmarks. The Magura cave is also situated near Belogradchik, where rock paintings are preserved, dating back from various historical eras.
1 April – 30 September
every day – 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
1 October – 30 March
every day – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission:
BGN 4 for adults
BGN 2 for students and seniors
Guided tours – BGN 5
Belogradchik Fortress
Tel: +359 936 5 30 01
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.belogradchik-bg.net
The Belogradchik Fortress is attended by tour guides in Bulgarian and German language.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER – BELOGRADCHIK
Contacts
Tel/fax: +359 936 53291
e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.belogradchik.info
1A, Poruchik Dvoryanov Str., town of Belogradchik, 3900
Services
• Providing information to visitors and guests of the town about the tourist sites and accommodation places and catering establishments on the municipality territory.
• Performance of reservations in accommodation places and catering establishments.
• Providing information about the tourist resources of tour operators, agencies, media, etc.
• Development of tourist programs, tours, packages, their realization and distribution
• Participation in tourist markets
• Development of advertising materials
• Maintenance of a data base of the tourist resources and tourist centers in the country.
Virtual map
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