Ustra Fortress, Medieval fortress ruins in Kardzhali, Bulgaria
Ustra Fortress stands on a rocky hilltop in the eastern Rhodope Mountains, featuring defensive walls and three towers that command the landscape. The site contains remains of eight buildings in varying sizes with stone staircases and underground spaces that once served as storage areas.
The fortress originated in the 10th century under Constantine VII and changed hands repeatedly between Byzantine and Bulgarian rulers. Ottoman forces took control in the 14th century, marking the end of its role as a major defensive position.
This fortress served as a crucial outpost where Byzantine and Bulgarian communities coexisted, leaving traces in its construction style and found objects. Local people adapted the space to defend their territory and maintain trade routes through the mountains.
Two climbing routes lead to the fortress, one from the village of Lebed offering an easier path and another from Ustren with information markers. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven and the ruins are fully exposed on the hilltop without shelter.
Excavations in the 1970s unearthed over 1,000 artifacts including iron arrows, bronze crosses, and silver coins spanning multiple periods. These discoveries reveal that the site remained continuously inhabited and used for an extended time span.
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