Bulgarian Treasures

Bulgarian Treasures

The Panagyurishte Treasure

The Panagyurishte Treasure is a Thracian treasure from the end of 4th-the beginning of the 3rd century BC. It was found in 1949, two kilometers away from Panagyurishte. The treasure consists of a beautiful golden service with amazing decoration. It was used for feasts or secret rituals, part of the Thracian mythology. There are nine objects made of pure gold with combined weight more than 6 kg. Four of the rhytons are made as heads or the front part of an animal’s body(ram, goat and 2 deers). On top of the rhytons are portrayed mythological scenes and heroes from the ancient Greek history. One of them features the wedding of the god  Dionys and princess Adriadna. Three of the objects are pitchers in the form of the head of the Amazon. The handles of these pitchers are made as centaur - a mythological animal with the head of a human and the body of a horse.

Master workmanship also has the object with the form of a baking dish. On top of it  four circles are engraved ,  each with 24 ornaments on it. The ornaments are getting smaller from the edge toward the centre. Most interesting in shape and decoration is the big amphora-like object. It’s handles are made as two battling centaurs. It also features the little Hercules fighting with the snake. Again there are magnificent mythological scenes all over the treasure.

The Panagyurishte Treasure has enormous importance for studying of the Thracians, their lives, their connections with other populations and their believes. The treasure is a priceless and beautiful witness of the ancient world.

The Letnitsa Treasure

In 1963 shepherds from Letnitsa decided to make themselves a new cabin. They started digging and on 50-60 meters depth they hit something. It turned out to be a bronze container. When they took it out they found silver objects in it. Most of them had gold backing. After a scientific investigation it was proved that the treasure was a Thracian trestle from the 4th century BC. 23 silver-gold objects! A few different workmanships could be seen. There were real and mythical animals portrayed. The horse, symbol for the sun among the Thracians, had been worshiped when the treasure had been made.

The discovery clearly shows that the objects were a possession of a rich man from the time of Kotis I(4th century BC). The Letnitsa’s treasure is one of the most important examples of the Thracian mastery and its finding was a huge contribution to the studying of the Thracian culture.

The silver blocks with gold backing are unique not only for the Thracian’s land but for whole Europe. They’re with different shape and portray different mythical scenes. One of the main scenes is the marriage of the Thracian master with the Earth Goddess. The Letnitsa’s treasure can be seen in the National archaeological museum.

Monuments

Babinite Vidini Kuli (Grandmother`s turrets of Vidin)
The stronghold was built 10 centuries ago on the ruined Roman castle called Bononia. In the past there were big bridges made of rope between the turrsts. The stronghold defended the town Vidin from enemy`s armies. The stronghold was a prison from XIV century untill XIX century. But today Babinite Vidini Kuli are only an attraction for the tourists in Bulgaria.

Asenovata Krepost (The Asen`s Stronghold)

The stronghold is not far from the town Asenovgrad, near the Chepelarska river. The stronghold was built more than 10 cnuries ago. The king Ivan Asen II expanded the stronghold but the Turkish army destroyed it. And now there is only one church...

Perperikon

Perperikon is a sanctuary, located in the Rhodopes, 15 km northeast of the town of Kardzhali. At its foot is the village of Gorna Krepost, which runs until Perpereshka river flowing into the lake “Studen kladenec”. The archaeological complex consists of a large megalith sanctuary, the holy city and fortress. Supposedly, it was celebrated in ancient sanctuary of Dionysus, the Thracian tribe Satrae.Even the Romans were making sacrifices to Dionysus on the sanctuary. It is believed that Perperikon is even older than the Egyptian pyramids.

Bulgarian Monuments

Bulgaria is a country with an amazing nature and a huge number of culture monuments. Thousands of priceless historical relics can be found in our museums. We have had great capitals, enormous castles, monasteries, churches. And our original villages amaze not only the tourists.

Kazanlak Tomb

The Kazanlak Tomb was found accidentally in 1944. It’s from the time of the Odrysian kingdom (4th century BC). It’s also the tomb in best shape. The Kazanlak tomb was already robbed in ancient times.

The tomb has rectangular entrance made of stone blocks with proportions 2.60 on 1.84 meters. It has vaulted hall from well-done bricks, 1.96 long  and  1.12 meters wide; the  brick grave chamber  is 3.25 meters high.

  The wall-paintings that show battles scenes are unique- with figures of warriors with helmets, long spears and big shields. The central scene is dedicated to the Thracian hero and his wife who are having feasting, holding hands and wearing wreaths on their heads. They’re surrounded by musicians and servants. The brilliant wall-painting has been made by Atenion from the Thracian town Maroneya.

The Madara Rider

The Madara Rider from the 7-9 century is one of a kind in Europe. It’s a relief that has been cut out on 23 meters above ground on a vertical high cliff. It depicts a majestic horseman that’s probably Khan Tervel. The horseman is in real size, dressed in luxurious rich garments, with long hair, with a spear in hand, piercing a fallen lion. There’s an eagle flying in front of  him and a dog running after him. The scene symbolizes a military triumph.

Tsarevets

Tsarevets is the central of the 3rd Bulgarian capital’s three hills. It’s unapproachable, protected by Yantra river and the strong stone walls with embrasures. Here were the castles of the Bulgarian kings and the impressive patriarchal church “Saint Ascension”. The blossoming of the life and culture in Tsarevets was during the 15th century.

The stronghold had a main entrance and two small gates. On of them drops on a path that leads to the “SS. Forty Martyrs” church.   The Baldwin Tower was restored where the  Latin Emperor Baldwin I found his death.