Bulgaria Inside

The village of Matochina is situated on the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, on the bank of Toundzha River 40 km away from the town of Svilengrad.

A steep hill hosts the remains of Boukelon fortress, one of the best preserved military constructions in Bulgaria.

The fortress is 65 m wide and 150 m long. Its tower and part of the fortress wall have been preserved best. All facilities were made of stone having brick belts passing through them. The fortress had three levels. Its highest floor had semi-cylindrical shape and acted as a small chapel.

Boukelon fortress was constructed during the Roman period. A major battle took place there in 387. The Roman empire was defeated and emperor Valentinian was killed near Boukelon.

New construction over the existing tower took place throughout time. One of the renovations took place between the 12th and 14th centuries. According to historians, the fortress carries the signs of a ruler named Mihail. The Bulgarian tsar Mihail probably used the fortress during one of his military campaigns.

Bulgarian soldiers under the guidance of tsar Kaloian defeated a knight army there on April 14 1205. They captured Baldwin of Flanders and took him to Turnovo. The captive died there in 1206.

During the Ottoman reign, the fortress was abandoned. In 1664, sultan Mohammed IV mentioned the fortress in some of his writings. During that period, the fortress and the nearby settlement carried the name of Fikla.