Tsepina, Medieval fortress in Dorkovo, Bulgaria.
Tsepina is a fortress in Dorkovo set at about 1136 meters elevation in the Rhodope Mountains. The stone structure offers views across the Chepino Valley and the Karkariya ridge.
The fortress emerged during the Second Bulgarian Empire and served as a strategic military post. In 1373 Ottoman forces captured and destroyed it as they expanded their territory.
The ruins show medieval building methods and defense systems from the Second Bulgarian Empire. They give insight into the construction techniques that were used at that time.
The site is reachable through a paved road of about 6 kilometers starting from Dorkovo village in Pazardzhik Province. The climb to the summit is steep and requires solid hiking ability on unpaved trails.
The grounds contain archaeological evidence of continuous human presence from ancient times through the medieval period. These layers reveal different phases of settlement at this location.
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