Tatul, Thracian sanctuary in Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria
Tatul is a Thracian sanctuary in Kardzhali Province featuring two rock-carved tombs within a monolithic stone formation. The structure resembles a stepped pyramid and contains multiple levels that visitors can explore.
The sanctuary was in use from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries BC, as evidenced by clay altars from that period. Later, a defensive tower was added during the Christianization of the region, showing how the site remained important across different eras.
This place held deep meaning for the Thracian people as a center for worship and honoring the dead. Visitors can sense how central this site was to the spiritual life of the ancient community.
The sanctuary sits about 15 kilometers east of Momchilgrad and is best explored in sturdy walking shoes. Informational signs throughout the site help visitors understand the different areas and their purposes.
Rock carvings and inscriptions on the stone walls still puzzle researchers and visitors today. These marks offer clues about the beliefs and daily concerns of the ancient people who used this place.
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