Castles and fortresses in Bulgaria

Bulgarian castles and fortresses

Bulgaria’s landscape is dotted with fortifications ranging from ancient Thracian rock cities like Perperikon to the medieval capitals of the Second Bulgarian Empire at Tsarevets and Trapezitsa. This collection includes Roman military outposts along the Danube, such as Seksaginta Prista, and well-preserved Byzantine structures like Mezek. It also features the 20th-century Vrana Palace and the contemporary, fairytale-inspired Ravadinovo Castle, showcasing the evolution of Bulgarian defensive and royal architecture across millennia.

Bulgarian castles and fortresses — Map

A

Tsarevets

Tsarevets is a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name in Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria.

B

Trapezitza

Trapezitsa is a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name in Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria.

Edal / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Perperikon

Perperikon, also Perpericum, is an ancient Thracian city located in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, 15 km northeast of the present-day town…

Klearchos Kapoutsis / CC BY 2.0

D

Asen's Fortress

Asen's Fortress, identified by some researchers as Petrich, is a medieval fortress in the Bulgarian Rhodope Mountains, 2 to 3 kilometres…

E

Ravadinovo Castle

A contemporary, privately-owned architectural project near Sozopol. Built in a romantic style with stone towers and landscaped gardens, the complex features a winery, a small zoo, and various art installations.

F

Vrana Palace

Vrana Palace is a royal palace, on the outskirts of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

Trygve W Nodeland / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Cherven

The stronghold of Cherven was one of the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary military, administrative, economic and cultural centres between…

User:Mincov / CC-BY-SA-3.0

H

Seksaginta Prista

A Roman military base and settlement on the Danube Limes. The archaeological site in Ruse preserves remains of the fortress walls and the 4th-century principia, or headquarters building.

Izvora / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Neutzikon (Mezek Fortress)

Mezek Fortress is a medieval stronghold constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries west of the modern village of Mezek, southeastern…

J

Kipilovo Fortress

The fortress of Kipilovo was one of the Byzantine Empire's military fortresses built to defend Constantinople.

Reneman / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

Krepost "Peristera"

A late antiquity and medieval fortress located on St. Petka hill in Peshtera. The site features restored defensive towers and a museum exhibition showcasing artifacts found during local excavations.

L

Loveska srednovekovna krepost "Hisara"

A medieval stronghold where the peace treaty between Bulgaria and Byzantium was signed in 1187, recognizing the Second Bulgarian Empire. It offers panoramic views of Lovech and the Osam River.

Красимир Косев / CC BY 3.0

M

Lutitsa fortress

Known as the "Marble City," this well-preserved medieval fortress near Ivaylovgrad features white marble walls and twelve defensive towers, serving as a major administrative center in the Eastern Rhodopes.

N

Urvich fortress

Urvich is a medieval fortress in the territory of today's quarter Pancharevo, heir to the village of Glavishevo.

Filipov Ivo / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

Sutgrad

An ancient Thracian and medieval archaeological site located in the Rhodope Mountains near Sitovo, featuring rock-cut sanctuaries, defensive fortifications, and traces of early settlements.

P

Yailata fortress

A late Roman and Byzantine fortification situated within a national archaeological reserve on the Black Sea coast. The site includes early Christian cave dwellings and ancient stone-cut wine presses.

Other Lists

Bulgaria Essentials Historic Monasteries & Churches Ancient Archaeological Sites Natural Wonders Alpine Huts & Mountain Shelters Museums & Galleries