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From Myth to History
There
is various evidence for the early life here – there are
traces from prehistorical life, from the epoch of the
Thracians, the Greeks, the Macedonians, the Romans, the
Byzantines, the Crusaders and the Turks. And of course
– numerous number for the presence of the Bulgarians.
The
history of the Eastern Rhodopi region is extremely interesting.
Through the centuries it has been the center not only
of the local policy, but also of the world.
Close
to today's town of Kardzhali, the impressive ruins of
a sacred Thracian settlement were unearthed – Perperikon.
A fortress wall, an acropolis made of stone block, a palace
and suburbs: small streets carved in the rock, living
quarters and shrines comprise this incredible memorial
of Thracian times.
The
megalithic monument near the village of Tatul in Southern
Bulgaria is a place of worship dating back to the 12th
century BC. It consists of two rock-hewn tombs which can
be reached via a grand staircase of eight steps in solid
rock, and the ruins of a Thracian fortress. Apart from
making offerings to the ancient Thracian deities, according
to scientists exploring the site, this place was also
used for sunset and sunrise religious observations on
certain days. Some believe this is the Bulgaria's Stonehenge,
others insist that it was the shrine to the legendary
Thracian mythological musician Orpheus.
During
the times of the Roman Empire, the Roman Noblemen and
army officers used the Rhodopi region for rest and recreation.
The best example is the well-preserved villa Armira in
the town of Ivaylovgrad.
During
the times of the Byzantine Empire the region was also
a real fortress of Christianity. The Monastery of John
Prodrome is a typical example. The archaeologists proved
that it was a center for one of the biggest Archbishops
in the Byzantine empire. According to some scholars, the
famous army leader Belizarius was born in the town of
Ivaylovgrad.
After
the foundation of the Bulgarian state in 681 AC, the Rhodopi
region became the frontier of two rival states. It is
very difficult to point the number of different fights,
and sieges among the ruin of a great number of fortresses.
The remains of them at Ustra, Perperikon, Efrem, and Vishegrad
are witnesses of that epoch.
Very
interesting was the period of the Crusades or Latin Empire
for this region. The formidable fortress of Monyak was
their stronghold, a point from which most of the crusaders’
expeditions started. The marshal of the Empire, Gofroa
de la Wilarduen started his famous expedition from Monyak
to help the cavalier Rene de Trie in the town of Assenovgrad.
For
a period of time the Eastern Rhodopi region was the main
scene of the struggles between Bulgarians, Latins and
Byzantines. There is historical evidence that the famous
battle between Bulgarian king Kaloyan and Latin Emperor
Baldween took place in the Eastern Rhodopi mountains near
today's Ivaylovgrad.
That
period lasted for almost two centuries and ended with
the Turkish invasion of the Balkan Peninsula. The remains
of a great number of fortresses, castles, and monasteries
in the Kardzhali region are witness of that romantic and
legendary epoch.
Being
almost in the center of the Turkish Empire, the Rhodopi
mountains ceased their active political role in the region.
During that period a lot of interesting buildings, roads
and especially bridges were created.
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