Thracian medieval fortress "Vishegrad"
The fortress "Vishegrad" is situated on a high hill on the right bank of the Arda River in the area Harman Kaya, next to the village with the same name in the close proximity of Kardzhali. It is located at about 8 km south-east of the town of Kardzhali, 15 km north of Momchilgrad, 252 km south of Bourgas and 249 km south-east of the capital Sofia city.
The name of the fortress has Slavonic origins and means "high town" - a name which used to be given to forts in other Slavonic countries as well. The fortress is known among the local population as Hissar Yustyu (Upper fortress).
The ancient Thracian fortress dates back from the IV century BC. – I century AD. Its area is relatively small (562 sq.m) and according to the structure and its size it was probably a medieval feudal castle - most likely the residence of the Governor of the Ahridos area. The fortress was used to control the main road passing through the region.
The fortress is situated on a hill called "Kamenen harman”. Its walls reuse the foundations of an earlier fortress built in the Antique. Only few places are available from the east, south and west and the north side is protected by an arch-shaped wall extended at the west end. During the excavations that were made in 1971 - 1974, the fortifying wall and the inside of the fortress were cleared up.
The wall is approximately 2 m thick and about 1 m high. It was built of rough stones cemented with mud and in some places the joints were filled with small pebbles and dirt. The entrance to the fort is located at its eastern end, it is about 2 m wide.
Bases of furnaces were found at several places inside the fortress. The excavations revealed another grinder, fragments of pottery, iron tools and weapons. The earliest material dates back to the transition between the Old-Iron and the Bronze age. It is believed that life continued in the ancient and medieval periods.
The “Vishegrad” fortress has a direct visual connection with the Monyak Fortress near the village of Shiroko pole located on the opposite bank of the dam. Furthermore, the fortress offers a magnificent view to one of the most picturesque dams in the Eastern Rhodopes – the Studen Kladenets dam which offers excellent conditions for fishing and water sports.
transport and accomodation
The fortress is easily accessible and convenient to visit. It can be reached via a relatively good dirt road starting from the village of Vishegrad. Several hotels, villas and guest houses, holiday homes and restaurants are available for tourists in the town of Kardzhali.
Source: www.kardjali.bg, www.rhodopes-gallery.com
Photos: www.tourism.kardzhali.bg
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