Hello friends, I invite you to visit the medieval Ovech Fortress, which boasts a history spanning 17 centuries. This fortress is one of modern Bulgaria's most significant tourist attractions and a fascinating site worth exploring. It is located above the small town of Provadia, which lies 40 km from Varna and about 100 km from Burgas.
In the second half of the 3rd century the Eastern Roman Empire built Ovech Fortress to protect its northern borders from barbarian invasions. The fortress was constructed on the site of an earlier Thracian settlement called Nea. The surviving parts of the fortress today include only a few towers, which have been restored. Thus Ovech Fortress is intriguing not for its architectural beauty but for its historical significance. Ancient pathways, cart tracks and the fortress's historical ambiance are amazing.
According to Bulgarian tourism sources, it is possible to drive within 600 meters of the fortress. From there a dirt road begins. We parked our car in the lot below and walked up. The path turned out to be less challenging than indicated on the initial information board. At the entrance there is a small ticket booth. Admission costs 4 leva per person, with a 50% discount for students. We then began climbing toward the summit of the rock where the fortress is located.
At the entrance we were greeted by a small information panel displaying a photograph of the historical restoration of the fortress. During the climb modern concrete steps give way to centuries-old carved stone steps. As we ascended the views became increasingly breathtaking, offering a stunning panorama surrounded by steep cliffs and flat rock formations. We entered through the eastern gate, near which beautiful medieval stone steps are located.
While examining historical materials and tourist guides I noticed that the site reminded me of Chufut-Kale. For instance, here too, we saw stone roads marked by cart tracks. And we reached the famous bridge that is prominently featured in all tourist guides. Upon arriving at the entrance tower, it became clear just how ancient this place truly is. Descending further we could clearly see the layers of construction and restoration.
Although the northern gate was not the main entrance, it is the best-preserved and most thoroughly restored. It appears to have been designed for pedestrian use, as the narrow passageway lacks any cart tracks. The fortress underwent two significant restorations: the first in the 1960s and the second in 2010. Differences between the layers are noticeable in the arrangement of the stones. Passing through a tunnel, we reached the plateau and began exploring the main area of the fortress.
The central part of the plateau housed administrative buildings, economic structures and two significant churches. We found the foundations of a 10th century metropolitan church. Ovech Fortress was also a metropolitan center, featuring a large cathedral. Among the ruins of the church, several sarcophagi can be seen. During excavations in the 1960s a gold ring with an eagle motif was discovered in one of these sarcophagi, becoming a symbol of the fortress. These tombs were used to bury clergy and feudal nobles.
The church’s foundation includes channels designed to collect water, directing it to a cistern in the church's center. This cistern is believed to predate the church's construction. Nearby there is a well 75 meters deep, which has been fully cleaned and is quite impressive. The well can be accessed either through a vertical shaft or via a staircase in an inclined gallery. The effort involved in its construction demonstrates the remarkable dedication of the workers of that era.
And there are several other cisterns in the area. Most of the artifacts unearthed during excavations are displayed in the historical museum in Varna. If you visit Varna I highly recommend exploring this museum.
Around the fortress centuries-old stone roads with cart tracks are particularly striking. Along the path you can also see the foundational remains of houses and storage facilities. Some foundations are small, while others are quite large, possibly reflecting the function of the buildings or the social status of their owners.
In the first half of the 16th century Ovech Fortress lost its strategic and cultural significance and by the second half of the century, it was completely abandoned. The first archaeological excavations and restoration efforts began in the mid 20th century. Thanks to its natural defensive advantages the fortress was nearly impossible to capture.
At the western entrance of the fortress, there is a cistern designed to collect rainwater and a modern spiral staircase. The staircase offers breathtaking views of the town of Provadia and the surrounding mountains. At the southern end of the fortress, while nothing remains but stunning vistas, the nearby caves are filled with fossils of prehistoric marine life.
These historical and natural wonders make Ovech Fortress and its surroundings a place well worth exploring. If you ever find yourself in Bulgaria, I highly recommend visiting this remarkable fortress and enjoying the beauty it has to offer.
