Fortress "Trayanovi vrata"
Location: the fortress "Trayanovi vrata" is situated in Sredna gora mountain. It is 15 km from the town of Kostenets, 16 km from the town of Ihtiman and 70 km from the capital Sofia.
Trayanovi vrata is historical passage that now is tunnel on Trakiya highway. The passage is named after the Roman emperor Trayan. It was fortress back then. The fortress is also known as "Shtipon".
The fortress Trayanovi vrata was found during archeological excavations in 1985-1986 from professor Dimitrina Dzhonova. The region was inhabited during the Bronze and Iron age it was crossing point of many cultures and civilizations. This is the reason its vision at the moment to be a mixture of different elements constructed in various ages.
Its first inhabitants were the Thracian tribe Besi in the First century B.C. The Thracians called the passage Suki and is known since the V-th century B.C. when through it passed the war march of the Thracian king Sitalk. In the end of the first and the beginning if the II B.C. the territory was governed by the Roman province of Serdika. The passage connected Rome with the far eastern parts of the Empire as a part of the modern route Belgrade-Nish-Sofia-Trayanovi vrata-Plovdiv-Odrin-Istanbul.
The exact time of the construction of the fortress is unknown and the first written records about it date back to the III century B.C. when it kept the Romans from the Barbarian attacks. During 831-836 the Bulgarian knyaz Malamir conquered the region and added it to the Bulgarian realm thus it became strategic commercial road for the country. The fortress itself occupies very important place in the history of Bulgaria. On 17-th august 986 from this fortress the future king Samuil led the Bulgarian army and destroyed in battle the Byzantium cavalry from 30000 soldiers led by the emperor Vasilii II.
When it was found during excavations by professor Dzhonova the view of the fortress was impressive. The facility is naturally protected as it was constructed on a hill surrounded by river and forest. Only its northwest side is not protected but later there were constructed two high sharp towers. The building looks frightening for its huge size - 40 m width and 90 m length.
Trayanovi vrata fortress consists of garrison, three inner towers and two sharp towers, which are located on the west side, a unique water facility - 60 feet long tunnel that leads to an underground spring. The tunnel is located on the north wall, inside the fort is well preserved, but outside the city wall was completely destroyed. Great arch of the Roman gate, high about 18 meters, was preserved until the 19-th century. In the country there is no any such building. The shape of the towers is with sharp peaks and arched entrances make them unique for Bulgaria and even for the Balkans.
The fortress is archeological monument of culture with national significance. The area Trayanovi fortress is included in the National register of the protected areas and is characterized as historical spot. Today there can be seen the remains of the fortress and the 18 feet arch Roman gate.
Accommodation
About 10 km ride with car is from the town of Momin prohod where the tourist can use the hotel or guest house. 30 km from Trayanovi vrata are situated Borovets resort and the town of Velingrad where there also are hotels and SPA centers.
Transportation
To the fortress leads exit from Trakiya highway near the town of Kostenets and then 15 km ride in the mountain. A gravel road leads to the monument constructed in honor of the 1000 years from the victory of the Samuil's army over the Byzantium and just one kilometers away is Trayanovi vrata fortress.
Sources: bg.wikipedia.org, bulgariaturism.blogspot.com, kostenets-tourism.com, razhodka.bg
Photos: Internet
