Nochevo sanctuary, Rock sanctuary in Nochevo, Bulgaria.
Nochevo sanctuary is a rock complex with numerous trapezoidal niches carved into the stone formations of the Eastern Rhodopes. The site contains caves, rock carvings, and basin-like hollows distributed across the mountainside.
Ancient Thracians established this sacred site and carved ceremonial niches into the stone for religious purposes. They also created rock-cut basins for wine-making, leaving physical evidence of their lengthy occupation of the area.
The sanctuary reflects ancient Thracian religious practices and their relationship with wine production, visible in the carved structures scattered across the rock faces. Visitors walking through the site can sense how integral these activities were to daily life in this region.
Parking is available near the town hall and old school building, serving as a starting point for exploring the site. Marked trails lead through pine forest toward the rock formations, making the archaeological area straightforward to navigate.
The complex contains rock-cut basins that served as wine-pressing facilities, still distinctly visible in the stone surfaces. Alongside these utilitarian features are mysterious rock drawings whose original meanings remain unknown to researchers.
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