Stone tower
On the hilltop.
StefkaVasileva — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Just4Nick — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Vladislav Nedelev — CC BY 4.0 · Bin im Garten — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Bin im Garten — CC BY-SA 3.0
Perperikon is an ancient Thracian city in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, 15 km northeast of the town of Kardzhali in Bulgaria. It stands on a 470-metre rocky hill thought to have been a sacred place, with the village of Gorna Krepost at its foot. Perperikon is the largest megalithic site in the Balkans and served as a fortress in the Middle Ages. Human activity here goes back to 5000 BC, and the first traces of civilisation on the hill date from the Bronze Age, including a round altar almost 2 metres across hewn from the rock. Its name is linked to gold mining, and the gold-bearing Perpereshka River runs nearby. Archaeologist Nikolay Ovcharov began excavating in 2000. Visitors climb among smooth grey rocks carved with steps, channels and rooms to the hilltop, where a tall stone tower stands among the fortress ruins. From there forested hills spread in every direction. The climb is short but over smooth rock, so wear proper shoes. There is little shade in summer, so bring water.
On the hilltop.
Steps and rooms.
Forested hills.
Near Gorna Krepost, 15 km northeast of Kardzhali, Bulgaria
Short but over smooth rock.
Activity dates back to 5000 BC.