Sacred pit of Garlo, Archaeological site in Breznik Municipality, Bulgaria.
The Sacred Pit of Garlo is an underground chamber complex with a 7-meter corridor lined with thirteen stone steps descending into the site. At the bottom sits a vaulted room featuring a central well in the middle.
The structure was built in the 11th century BC and served the people living through the Bronze and Iron Age transition. Excavations in the 1970s uncovered this ancient construction and revealed its role in the region.
This site functioned as a sanctuary where ancient people gathered water and performed rituals in the underground chamber. The circular opening at the top allowed daylight to enter, transforming the space into a place for religious practices.
Access requires descending 24 steps total, with nine exposed to the elements outside and fifteen continuing below ground level. The interior is cool and dark, so proper footwear and caution on the stairs are necessary.
The construction method mirrors an ancient site in Sardinia almost identically, suggesting trade and cultural exchange across the Mediterranean. This architectural parallel reveals how distant ancient peoples independently solved similar underground building challenges.
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