Bulgaria Inside

An ancient complex was discovered during research from 1981 to 1983 in the region of Mishkova Niva, three km southwest of the town of Malko Turnovo, almost at the border between Bulgaria and Turkey.

The complex resembles the one is Propada region but is bigger and much more impressive. The sanctuary and a fortress made up a complex, together with mines, a necropolis and several fortifications.

A dolmen was constructed in Mishkova Niva in the end of the Bronze Age. A mound necropolis formed there in the years to come. The dolmen was destroyed but a cult facility was set up. It was used as a sanctuary to a mythical or an existent ruler, priest or a hero. It might have been used as well as a mausoleum of a Thracian ruler. It exhibits symbols of a solar cult, namely a shield and an arrow over which two human palms have been carved.

The tomb is situated near a Roman villa rustika (a villa) and a necropolis. People who took care of the temple and were involved in production used the villa as their place of residence.

Archaeologists have researched some of the mounds, which in their view date back to the first millennium before Christ. Their walls have been lined with stone plates that were also used as cover stones.

The highest point of Strandzha Mountain on Bulgarian territory is Goliamo Gradishte peak. The peak is 709 m high and is situated right next to Mishkova Niva. It holds the remains of a major Thracian fortress. Circular fortress foundations have thickness of 2.5 m and the fortress diameter is 100 m. An Apollo sanctuary was constructed in its very center. Archaeologists discovered a sacrificial altar there.