Location: Belogradchik, Vidin Province Map
Open: June-Sept: 8am-9pm
Oct-May: 9am-5pm
First sections of the Belogradchik Fortress or Kaleto (from Turkish
"kale"- fortress) as it is widely known locally was constructed by
the Romans in the first century. It sits on the north slopes of the
Balkan Mountains guarding a strategic pass in the mountain range.
First settlement at current Belogradchik Fortress date back to the
Ancient Roman times. First Roman fort was established here in the
first century AD. Picturesque Belogradchik rocks provided a logical
strategic location for the establishment of a military camp that
later became known as Belogradchik Fortress. Belogradchik Cliffs
that date to Palezoic Period allowed defenders to spare resources
for fortification construction as they naturally served as a
barriers against enemy attacks. In some parts it reaches a height of
70 meters (230 feet) above inner courtyard. So military walls and
towers were construted only on North- West and South- East
direction.
After invasion of the Gothic tribes and
disintegration of the Roman Empire the Belogradchik citadel did not
loose its importance. In fact quiet the opposite. It grew in size
and importance. New owners of the Western Stara Planina (Old
Mountains) added new features and new defences to the existing
structure all the way till the 19th century. So in 14th century
Bulgarian tsar of Vidin Ivan Stratsimir made a new addition fearing
the Ottoman invasion. He made Belogradchik Fortress a key stronghold
against Ottoman Turkish Empire that eventually captured all of
Balkan Peninsula. With its walls and towers it was second in size
and sophistication only to the capital of what was remaining from
the Bulgarian Kingdom in Vidin, Vidin Castle or Baba Vida.
Over time Belogradchik Castle's
fortification defences were strengthened. Its walls measure 2 meter
(6.6 feet) thick at the foundation and reaching a height of 12
meters (39 feet). It covers a total area of 10,210 square metres
(109,900 square feet).
Initially, the Belogradchik
fortress had mainly observation functions, not strictly defensive
ones. In the 14th century, Tsar Ivan Sratsimir expanded the old
fortification by building fortress garrisons in front of the
existing partition rock massifs. During his reign, the fortress
became one of the most important fortifications in the region,
giving way only to the Vidin fortress, which served as a castle of
Sratsimir himself.
During the conquest of Bulgaria by the
Ottoman Empire, the Belogradchik fortress was captured in 1396.
During the Ottoman rule, the Turks expanded the fortress due to the
increased banditry and revolutionary activity in the area. Real
changes in the structure of the fortress were made in the early 19th
century.
The extensions of this period show a style typical
of Ottoman fortress building. Almost complete reconstruction is
being carried out, as well as additional extensions. Typical
European elements have also been added to the fortress. This is due
to the French and Italian engineers involved in the expansion.
The role of the Belogradchik fortress in the suppression of the
Belogradchik uprising of 1850 is important. The fortress was last
used in military operations during the Serbo-Bulgarian war in 1885.
The walls of the fortress are over 2 meters thick at the base
and reach a height of 12 meters. There are 3 separate fortress
courtyards, which are connected by fortress gates. The whole
fortress has a total area of 10,210 m2.
The fortress was
restored after it was declared a cultural monument. It is managed by
the management of the Belogradchik Historical Museum. It is part of
the Hundred National Tourist Sites. There is a seal.
Hotels
Guest House Viko Hostel (Viko Hostel)
Belogradchik, 5 Tsar Ivan Sratsimir Str
+359878364306 Satellite
TV, Wi-Fi Internet
Hotel Dalia (Hotel Dalia)
Belogradchik,
1 Saedinenie Bul
+359-888-641-528
Satellite TV, Wi-Fi Internet
Hotel-Restaurant Skalite
+359-898-733-818
Hotel-Tavern
Madonna
+359-936-5546
satellite TV
Guest house Near The
Oak at Plamen
+359-896-795426