A Collaboration Between Man & Nature - The Belogradchik Fortress - Part III from Belogradchik, Bulgaria

in #travel7 years ago (edited)

Welcome to Part III of my series exploring Belogradchik. Last fall, @brentssanders and I traveled the western half of Bulgaria and this was our first stop and what a stop it was! So far, I have shared a monochromatic prelude to this series plus looks at the natural beauty of this place. Today, I will show you the incredible fortress that was constructed incorporating the geological formations located just above the town of Belogradchik.


The history of the fortress dates back to the days of the Roman Empire. It served not only as a defensive position but also as a watchpost for the surrounding area in the northern part of the Balkan Mountains. In the 14th century, the fortress was expanded and fortified only to be overrun by the Ottomans in 1396. In the 19th century, major overhaul of the structure was spearheaded by the Ottomans who were assisted by engineers from France and Italy. The 19th century also brought with it the last rounds of military action with the Belogradchik Uprising of 1850 and the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885.

Let's take a walk and see what we can see.

Belogradchik Fortress 17.jpg
This is the gate into the main part of the fortress. As you can see, the rocks provided a natural barrier which was then augmented with stone walls that, in some places, were 2 meters thick and almost 40 meters high.


Belogradchik Fortress 16.jpg
A detailed shot of the gate shows that nature is attempting to reclaim this place.


Belogradchik Fortress 11.jpg
The fortress is spread across the mountain top and is divided into separate yards that are connected by a series of gates.


Belogradchik Fortress 4.jpg
Onward and upward. Nestled between the rocks, that tree has found a home with quite a lovely view.


Belogradchik Fortress 1.jpg
There's trailblazer, @brentssanders, leading the way while I stumble around attempting to walk, look up, take pictures and soak it in all at the same time. Thankfully, I wasn't also chewing gum! 😊


Belogradchik Fortress 18.jpg
Looks like the perfect fortress door to me.


Belogradchik Fortress 8.jpg
It's as if we have crossed over into another world.


Belogradchik Fortress 7.jpg
A few more steps to go. On our way back down, we met a couple here that is currently residing in Germany but is from California just down the freeway from where I'm living. What a small world!


Belogradchik Landscape 5.jpg
Finally at the top, we had an unbelievable panoramic view of the area (a characteristic of any fortress worth its salt). The town of Belogradchik is stretched out below on one side and on the other...


Belogradchik Landscape 4.jpg
...the Balkan Mountains sprinkled with more magnificent rock formations...(happy sigh.)


Belogradchik Fortress 6.jpg
The next few shots will show you how the fortress walls were stitched right into the rock. This particular gate looks like they have several extra guards permanently on duty.


Belogradchik Fortress 12.jpg
Layers and levels, natural and man-made.


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This was a view from outside the fortress that we saw on our hike through the surrounding forest.


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We found a side entrance that was forgotten by time. I wondered what was on the other side of this door and about the people who went in and out back in the day...what were their stories?


Belogradchik Fortress 20.jpg
After our tour of the fortress, we had an excellent afternoon exploring the area just outside Belogradchik. We managed to make it back in time to catch the fortress bathed in alpenglow. This was the one of our many rendezvous with the sublime on our travels throughout Bulgaria.


Belogradchik Fortress 21.jpg
We had clear skies all day, but a few decorator clouds rolled in for our sunset...(another very happy sigh.)


I hope you enjoyed our walk through history and were as amazed as I was by this collaboration between man and nature. I have a few more things I would like to share with you from Belogradchik so be on the lookout for those posts coming soon...I promise!


Check out my previous posts from in and around Belogradchik:
The Prelude
The Series Begins
Part II
Exploring the Back Roads of Northwest Bulgaria


Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belogradchik_Fortress

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Heya, just swinging by to let you know you're being featured in our Daily Travel Digest!

Wahoo!!! Thank you so much! What an excellent surprise!!!

What manly calves I haves :D The fortress gate pic (or door, with the ring) is my fave of the series! Thanks for sharing :)

I was going to work your calves into the title of the post but... ;)

That door was formidable, wasn't it? Glad you like.

I still have 3 posts worth of pictures from Belogradchik and the the surrounding area! I can't believe it!!! Looks like I will be posting about the trip as a whole for years to come. :D

You took a lot of pictures :)

Next time you come please let me know so I can meet up with you, I live about 40 minutes from the rocks.

A Steemit gathering in beautiful northwest Bulgaria! Sounds like a fabulous plan!

Beautiful images. Bulgaria is on my list of places to travel. There are so many awesome places to travel and see there. Thank you for sharing your experience.

You are very welcome. I am so glad you enjoyed my post!

It's a great place to have on your list...so much beauty and incredible energy! I have been there 3 times and can't wait to get back to discover more!

What a fortress! :) Makes me want to come back to Bulgaria asap

Belogradchik was unbelievably cool! I would go back in a heartbeat.

Stay tuned for my up-coming post on Tsaravets which was on our next stop in Veliko Tarnovo...more amazingness there! So many fortresses, so little time! ;)

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.

Beautiful place <3 Thanks for sharing!

Beautiful indeed. Thank YOU for stopping by, taking a look and leaving a comment!

Your posts are very good
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