perperikon

Perperikon has been excavated for more than 15 years now. It is an excellent example of how far ahead our ancestors were. This fortification was also used for sacred rituals and it played an important role in the life of the people some thousands of years ago!! Entrance fee is only 3lv (about 1.5EU) and 1lv for students. After 6pm there is nobody on site and you can go in for free

We were traveling for two weeks around the Rhodope Mountains in southeastern Bulgaria, and arrived just after lunch, on a day when the air temperature was 50 degrees and the wind was blowing 40MPH. Wow! What a rush! The beginning of the hike is quite easy and then you reach a juncture where you can either take the shortcut, consisting of about 8 flights of wooden stairs, or keep going in a meandering path to the top. We chose the shortcut, but took our good sweet time. At the top of those stairs, you begin to pick your way up through the cut rocks until you reach the top. It was no terribly difficult, but the whole hike up and back took us 2.5 hours. Bring your hiking poles to help with balance. It was totally marvelous and one of the best experiences I've had in this part of Bulgaria. Good for children over the age of 7. There is a port-a-potty in the parking lot.

A great historical site, well worth seeing. As I come from a very young country I am in awe of all these ancient sites. It is a remarkable place to actually walk in the steps of people over thousand of years ago. Make sure you take some good walking shoes and are able to walk up fairly steep paths and steps, worth the huffing and puffing when you get there. Would do it again.

The archeological site Perperikon is a small miracle. I say small because they are still working and discovering new things. The most impressive thing is that they discovered that Perperikon was the ancient palace of Dionisio.If you go there, take the guide because there is no signs with explanations because all is on going and the archeologists still didn't put the signs with explanations.Possibly go when is not very warm because no shadow there. Oh, and take a water with you.The way to Perperikon is easy and there is lots of signs. nearly you can go to see the Stone Mushrooms.

This is best preserved ancient (i.e. over 4,000 years old) Thracian town/fortress in the south of Bulgaria; It is still undergoing extensive archaeological research and more and more of the site is being recovered. Must visit in Bulgaria.

Situated in the magical Rhodope Mountains, this place is simply divine. You can leave your car at the car park - there is plenty of space. The admission of 3 levs (about £1.20) for adults and 1.50 levs (£0.50) for students and retired is incredibly cheap. Before you leave for the rock, from the sellers at the car park you can buy a map of the Perperikon with useful notes along the spots which need to be seen. A new path will take you to the rock by a 15 minute walk. Take some water with you as there is no water on the hill. Especially in the summer you will need it. You will need also good shoes to be able to walk over the rocks. Relax and follow the steps of ancient people. Many tribes and civilizations have ascended the steep slope, to experience victories, losses, wealth, poverty and death. The rocky peak of Perperikon began to function as a place of cult almost 8000 years ago and it has combined the remnants of different time periods. Thracians, Romans, Byzantines and Bulgarians have lived here. From the welcome inscription of the site we read: “In ancient time the temple of Dionysus was here, the fame if which is comparable to Apollo’s in Delphi. It was here that Alexander the Great received his prophecy that he would conquer the world and that Rome would become an empire. Bow your head in memory to the people who used to inhabit this holy place 8,000 years ago.” When the modern historians say Dionysus here, they don’t mean the Greek God of wine and ecstasy but in his even more ancient Thracian divinity. As the Greeks expanded into areas previously occupied by the Thracians, the Thracian god was adopted as the Dionysian cult. Don’t miss the most important spot of the shrine – the roofless oval room. In its centre there is a stone altar, covered all over by char marks due to the sacrificial fire that used to be lighted here. You can imagine for a moment how it seemed to be.Nearby also is a throne carved in the rocks with a footstool. You can sit in the throne and get the feeling of being masters of the temple – it is here, where Alexander the Great is believed to have sat in wait of the Oracles' prophecy. If you follow the map well, you can find by yourself the image of the Mother Goddess – a rock drawing, which is supposedly one of the most respected deities in the Thracian religion. The image is very small and it could be easily missed. It would be more helpful if there were some signs of the site as the map is not enough. Wherever you look around there are beautiful views. The archaeological digs continue and the question is what else will the holy mountain surprise us with? While sitting on the rocks, there is a strange feeling – there are so many secrets those rocks still keep and we might never know them. It’s as if the rocks still remember their preceding inhabitants. I could stay here for longer. However, at the time of our visit it was pretty hot and there were also some lizards enjoying the hot stones. Don’t forget that only 42 km away is another majestic Thracian megalith monument – Thracian cult complex by the village of Tatul. Here you will find the ruins of a Thracian sanctuary dedicated to the legendary Thracian singer Orpheus and possibly the place where he was buried.

I was in two minds whether to give this 4 or 5. It is a remarkable site - I particularly liked the throne which you can clamber up into for a photo-op. The views are great.There was a large parking lot (an attendant asked for a small fee), and another small fee for entrance. At the lot there are the usual tourist souvenir places, and one of them persuaded us to buy a guide to Perperikon. This was a good idea, because there are very few signs to explain anything in situ. So, buy the guide, and it has a numbered map with short descriptions of each feature.There is clearly work going on here (EC grant), and the paths are mostly good. In some places, though, you have to clamber up very rough stones, so good walking shoes, water (if it's hot) are necessary, and be careful. When we were there, there was a young man who had a fall near the top. The ambulance and police arrived at the bottom, but there was no way to get an ambulance to where he was, so they would have to carry him by stretcher down the rocky staircase. I admit I still don't know exactly the meaning of everything I saw. Maybe nobody does. It is quite a site, however, and I won't forget it.

Amazing views of the area from the top of Perperikon. Ruins need more info signs. Don't forget to take some water with you.

the ruins of perperikon is a bit difficult to get to. you. would have to hike a bit to get there BUT once you reach the top, the views are amazing. on a good day, you can see for miles. thousands of years of history just there waiting to be admired. just make sure to bring water as theres no shops there. no toilets neither.

It was very interesting and there was excavations going on. I did in fact enjoy the walk and beautiful scenery.

It was beautiful, but I think it`s a good idea to put more signs for the objects inside.Take also water with you.

Glorious view from one of the tops of the Mountain Rhodopes with ancient Thracian excavations from the times of Dionisius and remains of a church next to them

This is one of the most spectacular places to visit in the Eastern Rhodopes. There are two ways to climb up to the top, one via a path and the second by a stairway that seems to be made for giants. Either way, when you reach the top, you will be amazed at the many thousands of years of history, construction, religious sects, temples, fortress lookout and more. This is a definite stopover for anyone that wants to see history close and up front.

Ancient thracian sanctuary, there is something magical. Great view from the top. Bring water,

Well signposted sight, closed to Gorna Krepost village. The ruin is on a very steep hill, so bring an appropriate footwear. Great view.