Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Take a look at the breathtaking footage of the medieval fortress Asara in the Eastern Rhodopes

| updated on 1/23/24 11:19 AM
Photo: screenshot

Momchilgrad municipality released unique footage a few days ago which went viral on social media. The video, shot using a drone, offers a bird’s eye view of the mysterious medieval fortress Asara in the region of the village of Ralitsa in the Rhodopes.

The remains of the fortress date back to the 11th-12th century. They rise on top of a prehistoric rock sanctuary and a crypt. A trapezoidal sacrificial altar has been hacked out on the fortress site. The ruins of two large towers are still visible that were once connected by a passage hacked out into the rock. In one of the towers there are traces of a residential area and a chapel. Archaeologists discovered precious medallions made of bone that were once elements of a gold-inlaid icon.  

Video:

Studies have shown that some of the first attempts at ore-mining in the Balkan peninsula took place right here, in the Eastern Rhodopes. Ore-mining galleries like the ones found at the foot of Asara peak have been discovered in the vicinity of the village of Zvezdel nearby. The peak, where the fortress remains are scattered, commands a breathtaking view of the Eastern Rhodopes and the highest peak in this part of the mountain – Stramni Rid peak (960 m.)

Not far from Asara fortress, Boyalak waterfall rises to a height of some 25 m. The bizarre-looking rocks formed after the waterfall are also well worth seeing.

The Asar fortress in Momchilgrad municipality is not the only fortress of that name in Bulgaria. The word “asar” comes from the Arabic-Turkic “hisar”, “hisarlak” meaning fortress, fortification, pile of stones. That is why there are many fortresses in the Bulgarian lands bearing such names.
View of the fortress Asara
More:

Video: Tencho Petkov Photography

Editing by Veneta Nikolova

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Archaeologists uncover 13 ancient graves in central Sofia

13 ancient graves were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted on the premises of the National Academy of Art in Sofia.  The excavation is led by archaeologist Elena Nikolova from the Regional History Museum. The excavations began on..

published on 8/22/25 9:44 AM
Trapezitsa Hill in Veliko Tarnovo

The Trapezitsa Hill in Veliko Tarnovo preserves the spirit of medieval Bulgaria

Trapezitsa is one of the three hills for which the old Bulgarian capital, Tarnovgrad (the medieval name of today’s Veliko Tarnovo), is famous . Located to the northwest of the town, it stands across from the neighboring hill Tsarevets – the site where,..

published on 8/20/25 2:30 PM

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil holds the festive liturgy at the Rila Monastery

On the feast of the Dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led the Divine Liturgy at the Rila Monastery. On the eve of the feast, he bowed before the relics of the patron saint of the Bulgarian people..

published on 8/18/25 12:40 PM