Soko Grad, Medieval fortress in Sokobanja, Serbia
Soko Grad is a medieval fortress on a hilltop near Sokobanja with defensive walls, gates, and three towers spread across the site. The structure commands views over the surrounding Serbian landscape and shows varying degrees of preservation.
Emperor Justinian I established this fortification in the 6th century to protect the Balkan peninsula from invasions by Pannonian Avars and Slavs. The site served as a critical defensive point during the early medieval period in the region.
The name means Falcon City, stemming from medieval falconers who paid taxes using trained birds. This connection to falconry remains part of how locals understand the fortress's identity.
Access is via a marked path from the eastern part of Sokobanja that leads through forest terrain to the fortress. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear as the trail is uneven and includes steep sections.
A single preserved entrance tower stands in the upper section of the fortress, while other defensive structures remain in various states of decay. This selective preservation offers visitors insight into different phases of deterioration over time.
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