"Perperikon" Archaeological Complex

 ancient, fortification, historic landmark, 100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria, historic ruins, Thracian heritage

The archaeological complex is located in the East Rhodope Mountains, 20 km northeast from the town of Kardzhali. The rock city stands on a clifftop at a height of 470 meters. The village of Gorna krepost lies at its foot, and the river Perpereshka flows beside it. The comfortable river valley has created conditions of life since ancient times. Therefore the valley is strewn with dozens of archaeological sites from various ages, the center of which is Perperikon.
The medieval archaeological complex Perperikon is one of the most ancient monumental megalithic structures, entirely carved into the rocks. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bulgaria.
Religious activity at the top of the cliff began in the 5th century BC. It is associated with the beliefs of the Copper Age people, who started the cult of the sun god. Here they established the first sanctuary and started leaving food containers for the gods. These religious rites continued through the entire Bronze Age (III-II millennium BC). The sophistication of the metal tools made the hard rock cutting possible. At that time, the oval hall with a huge circular altar in its center was built. There, priests performed their sacred rituals with wine and fire. These religious practices were typical for the temple of Dionysius, which was long sought in the Rhodope Mountains. The latest archaeological research shows clearly that the temple was located exactly in Perperikon. According to the legends, two crucial prophecies were made from the altar of this temple. The first one predicted great conquest and glory for Alexander the Macedonian, and the second, made several centuries later, predetermined the power and strength for the first Roman Emperor – Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus.
In the last millennium of the old era and the first centuries of the new one, the rock structures grew and became a town with fortified walls, palaces and suburbs. The town was probably a royal residence for the Thracian tribe Bessi. Subsequently, the Romans brought to Perperikon their luxury and refinement, and the Goths ruined and burned down Perperikon in 378 AD.

visit.guide-bulgaria.com/a/56/perperikon_archaeological...
www.perperikon.bg/home.php?cp=1
www.tourism.government.bg/en/tourist-destinations/2801/...
ilovebulgaria.eu/en/archaeological-complex-perperikon/
www.visitplovdiv.com/en/node/552
purebulgaria.com/s-89-Perperikon
bulgariatravel.org/medieval-archaeological-complex-perp...
gowhere.bg/en/places/cultural-heritage/perperek-perperi...
www.mirela.bg/en/naemi/%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BF%D0%B5%D...
welcome.bg/en/listing/perperikon-medieval-archaeologica...
www.historyhit.com/locations/perperikon/
www.myguidebulgaria.com/attractions/the-holy-city-of-pe...
www.kardjali-tourism.info/en/place/4/place/
www.bg-guide.org/en/show-places/view/perperikon
www.hotelmap.bg/gorna-krepost-attraction-perperikon.htm...
bgglobe.net/historic-landmarks//fortress-perperikon-187...
www.landbg.info/en/poi/perperikon
arkeonews.net/a-nymphaeum-was-discovered-in-the-ancient...
ancientbulgaria.bg/listings/ancient-rock-city-perperiko...
bgtreasures.eu/perperikon_en.php?lang=en


www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG3p5eg2oOk


www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrEk8MamkPM