The Zhaba Mogila Thracian Tomb in the city of Strelcha
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How do we get to
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Practical information
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The Zhaba Mogila (Frog Mound Tomb) is located in the area of the Draganov Well a few kilometers from the city of Strelcha. It is the largest of the roughly 300 such mounds in the region and one of the largest in all Bulgaria. It has a diameter of 80-90 meters and is 20 meters high. The burial mound was surrounded by a water-filled moat 30 meters wide and 3-4 meters deep that had to be crossed to enter the sanctuary. The moat still exists, and is now filled with croaking frogs, which is how the tomb got its name.
The archeological studies in the vicinity of Strelcha that began in 1976 have disclosed that The Frog Tomb is a unique Thracian cultic complex known as a Heroon (sacrificial temple) that was divided into two parts – the mausoleum or crypt and the temple.
The crypt, which is on the southeastern side of the tomb, was excavated in 1976. It dates from the 5th-4th centuries BCE and was used during two distinct phases. The first phase was as a crypt and mausoleum for important Thracians, and at that time it was open to both visitors and worshippers. The area consists of two chambers – one rectilinear and the other circular – with a narrow passage connecting them. During the second phase of the tomb’s use, it was a burial site for a particularly important Thracian, perhaps a ruler or lord, who was buried with a four-wheeled chariot.
After this individual was buried, the tomb was sealed with a massive pile of stones. In front of the tomb’s facade stood the chariot with its two horses in harness. Most likely it was the chariot of the burial procession’s leader.
When the pile of stones was cleared away, the remains of the four-wheeled chariot were uncovered. The horses had been sacrificed on the spot and their skeletons were found next to each other in an entirely symmetrical arrangement.
At present most of the artifacts discovered at the Frog Mound Tomb are preserved in the Strelcha Museum of History.
The crypt and mausoleum are open to visitors
The Frog Mound Thracian Tomb was declared an archeological and cultural landmark by Ministerial Decree № 1711 in 1962.
Presentation
The Zhaba Mogila (Frog Mound Tomb) is located in the area of the Draganov Well a few kilometers from the city of Strelcha. It is the largest of the roughly 300 such mounds in the region and one of the largest in all Bulgaria. It has a diameter of 80-90 meters and is 20 meters high. The burial mound was surrounded by a water-filled moat 30 meters wide and 3-4 meters deep that had to be crossed to enter the sanctuary. The moat still exists, and is now filled with croaking frogs, which is how the tomb got its name.
The archeological studies in the vicinity of Strelcha that began in 1976 have disclosed that The Frog Tomb is a unique Thracian cultic complex known as a Heroon (sacrificial temple) that was divided into two parts – the mausoleum or crypt and the temple.
The crypt, which is on the southeastern side of the tomb, was excavated in 1976. It dates from the 5th-4th centuries BCE and was used during two distinct phases. The first phase was as a crypt and mausoleum for important Thracians, and at that time it was open to both visitors and worshippers. The area consists of two chambers – one rectilinear and the other circular – with a narrow passage connecting them. During the second phase of the tomb’s use, it was a burial site for a particularly important Thracian, perhaps a ruler or lord, who was buried with a four-wheeled chariot.
After this individual was buried, the tomb was sealed with a massive pile of stones. In front of the tomb’s facade stood the chariot with its two horses in harness. Most likely it was the chariot of the burial procession’s leader.
When the pile of stones was cleared away, the remains of the four-wheeled chariot were uncovered. The horses had been sacrificed on the spot and their skeletons were found next to each other in an entirely symmetrical arrangement.
At present most of the artifacts discovered at the Frog Mound Tomb are preserved in the Strelcha Museum of History.
The crypt and mausoleum are open to visitors
The Frog Mound Thracian Tomb was declared an archeological and cultural landmark by Ministerial Decree № 1711 in 1962.
Work time
How to get there
The Thracian tomb is located outside the city on the Pazardzhik highway, to the left of the Plovdiv-Panagyurishte railway line, in the Draganov Well area. Take the cart track that begins at the railway crossing. There are signs giving directions at the site.
Servising
Staff at the tomb speak Bulgarian only. There are no tours of the site.
Practical information
Tourist information center
Tourist Information Center – Hisarya
Monday – Sunday
10:00 – 12:00; 13:00 – 18:00
23, Gurko Blvd
Tel.:
+359 337 62141
+359 897 096 767
E-mail: hissar_infotour@abv.bg
Website: https://hisar.bg/hisar/
Tourist Information Center – Strelcha
Monday – Sunday 9:00 – 12: 00; 13:00 – 17:30
Strelcha 80 Bulgaria Blvd.
Tel: +359 3532 20 25
E-mail: tic_strl2@abv.bg
Contacts
Municipality of Strelcha
4530 Strelcha, Druzhba Square 2
Tel: 03532 20 20
Email: strelcha11@mail.bg
Website: https://www.strelcha.bg/
Virtual map
Photos
The Zhaba Mogilia Thracian Tomb in the city of Strelcha
The Zhaba Mogilia Thracian Tomb in the city of Strelcha
The Zhaba Mogilia Thracian Tomb in the city of Strelcha
The Zhaba Mogilia Thracian Tomb in the city of Strelcha
The Zhaba Mogilia Thracian Tomb in the city of Strelcha
The Zhaba Mogilia Thracian Tomb in the city of Strelcha
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