Kaleto is one of the most preserved fortresses in Bulgaria. In the 1st – 3rd century, the Romans kept a fortress here to guard the strategic paths, which were crossing the area, using the advantage of the rock’s natural ability of hindering accessibility. Located on the north slopes of the Balkan Mountains, the fortress was used in ancient times, first by the Roman’s as part of their defensive blockade and subsequently by the Byzantine Empire. The fortress was extended by the Bulgarians. Its significance grew after the separation of Vidin’s Kingdom, including the territories of today’s North-West Bulgaria, parts of East Serbia and South-East Romania. The fortress, named Belgrad at that time, was one of the last fortresses to be taken over by the Turks at the end of the 14th century. They placed a garrison here, which played a key part in the defense of the country’s West areas and crushed the Bulgarians’ revolts. In the period since 1805 till 1837, the Kaleto Fortress was extended and reconstructed to allow the use of fire guns under the supervision of French and Italian engineers. The memorial plaques after the construction are written both in Bulgarian and Turkish – the unique case in the history of Turkish fortresses’ constructions. The extension included 3 courts (all of them with the capability of defending independently) located in a total area of 10 211 sq. meters, and one separate fortification. There are two main gates – Vidin Kapia and Nish Kapia. The fortification’s walls, which are 10 meters high, were added with gun embrasures. For the cannons, 3 bastions were built, each allowing the use of 15-16 cannons. In wartime, the number of the fortress’ defenders and the surrounding hills reached up to 3000 people. Part of Bulgarian Tourist Union’s “100 National Tourist Sites”: Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress. Working Hours: Everyday, Summer: 9am – 6pm; Winter: 9am – 5pm Stamp from BTU is available.
Belogradchik rocks extend around 30 km length, 3 – 5 km width and up to 200 m height. The most magnificent rocks are surrounding Belogradchik : Madonna, The Rider, The Monks, The Student, The Lion, The Bear, Adam and Eva, The Casle. Four kilometres from the town, around Lepenitsa cave, there is another great group of rocks, where the biggest one i called The Dinosaur. Near by village Borovitsa are The Pinestone and The Beestone. From the platform of the famous Stone of Thought you can see an endless view of peaks, rocks, precipices, lush meadows, cool streams and the calm lineaments of Old mountain. Upon this view man becomes wordless. The name of each rock formation is given by the folklore. The flora surrounding Belogradchik rocks includes many rare species typical for the Balkans and written in the Red book of Bulgaria. The animals are represented by imperial eagle, owl, small vulture, black stork, wolf, wild boar, royal slag, deer, dormouse and etc. You can take one of the rambling paths from Belogradchik to the rocks, suitable also for cycling.
Every stone here has a history and a legend full of suffering and heroism to explain the incredible stone beauty. Centuries ago between the rocks there was a nunnery. Early every morning the nuns went out to pray to God. The youngest among them – Vitinia couldn’t hide under the cassock her unbelievable beauty. The rumour about her beauty spread all over the Roman empire. One day on the Day of Peter when the monastery could be visited Vita met with the roman Antonio. They hided their love from the nuns long time but after an year the fruit of their love saw the light of the day. Child voice filled the monastery with crying. Vita was revealed and faced the strict law of the nuns. They decided to curse her and expel her from the monastery with her child. At that moment from the hill came Antonio riding his white horse. He started begging the nuns not to punish his beloved. Then happened a miracle. Suddenly a storm started, a thunder stroke and the earth shook. The monastery laid in ruins and everything turned in stone – The Monks, The Rider, even Vitinia who turned in Madonna caring her child.
(www.belogradchik.biz)
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