Castris Rubris, Roman fort

Castra Rubra is a Roman fortress and road station on the Via Militaris, built in the 2nd century AD, about 8 km northeast of Harmanli near the village of Izvorovo. Its remains include foundations of a small garrison building, a hostel for travellers, a shop and traces of a small colonnade. A 10–20 m stretch of the Roman road was uncovered 800 m to the east.

The fort was built during Roman expansion and served as a defensive point along a crucial trade route connecting the western regions to Constantinople. After the Roman period, different groups settled and modified the site, creating layers of occupation spanning several centuries.

The name Castris Rubris reflects the Roman past, linking the site to a military stronghold where soldiers and local communities coexisted. The ruins demonstrate how Roman military posts shaped daily life and defense strategies in this region.

The ruins lie about 8 km northeast of Harmanli, in the Izvorovo area, and can be reached by car; the final stretch climbs steeply. A 10–20 m section of the Via Militaris was uncovered 800 m east of the fort. Excavations have been led by Professor Boris Borissow under the EU PHARE programme.

About 800 m east of the fort, a 10–20 m stretch of the Via Militaris paving was uncovered and is very well preserved. Other surviving sections of the same Roman road lie near the villages of Braniza and Ovcharovo in Harmanli municipality.