Nebet Tepe, Ancient fortress and hill in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Nebet Tepe is an archaeological site sitting on the highest of Plovdiv's seven hills with fortification walls, towers, and a stone water reservoir carved into the rock. The remains display construction styles from different eras layered one on top of another over thousands of years.
The fortress began around 4000 BC and was later enlarged and rebuilt by Thracians, Macedonians, and Romans in turn. Each civilization left its mark through new construction and reworking of earlier structures.
The name comes from Turkish words 'nevbet' meaning watch and 'tepe' meaning hill, reflecting the site's role as a lookout point in older times. This term remains alive in local speech and the city's memory today.
The climb to the top is manageable on foot, and the location offers views of the city from above. It helps to wear good shoes since the paths are uneven and you can move freely among the ruins.
A hidden underground passage with a staircase from the 6th century connects the citadel to the Maritsa river below. This secret route allowed residents to reach water quickly or escape if needed.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
