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Gradishte Fortress near Tvarditsa

published on 02.01.2008, 16:05 Author: Vanina Paskaleva Article rating:

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The remains of the old Gradishte fortress occupy a region on the road to Elena that is few kilometers away from the town of Tvarditsa. The town’s name came from the one of the fortress. Tvarditsa meant fortification in old Bulgarian.

Exploration works in the region have not advanced yet. Yet historians know that Thracians built the fortress. Byzantines and Bulgarians made many improvements. During the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the fortress played key role as a part of the Stara Planina Mountain fortification system.

The inner yard of Gradishte measures approximately 25 000 sq m, which leads to the conclusion that it was a shelter for the people who lived in the near villages and a town itself. The remains of a church from the 10th century can be seen there. Part of the church decoration and wall-paintings is still preserved.