Asenovgrad Fortress

Asenovgrad Fortress - Крепост Асеновата, Asenovgrad, Plovdiv Province, Republic of Bulgaria.

The natural rock massif on which the fortress is located covers an area of ​​twelve acres. With its steep slopes, it is inaccessible from three sides. The strategic location and natural defense of the area were used even during the time of the Thracians, who built a fortification in the 5th century BC. The Asen fortress was expanded and strengthened in 1231, during the reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II, whose name it bears. In connection with the deteriorating foreign policy relations with the Latin Empire, he decided to give more importance to the fortification. In honor of this change, a commemorative inscription was placed above the then entrance to the fortress, testifying to the event. It read: “In the year 6739 (or 1231), indictum 4, the God-exalted Tsar Asen of Bulgarians, Greeks and other countries established Alexis as a sevasta and built this city.”