Tzepina Fortress

The Tzepina fortress is situated some 6 km away from the village of Dorkovo, in the northeastern end of the Chepinska valley. It is one of the most difficult to access fortresses in the Rhodopi mountain, built on a high rocky summit rising 1136 m above sea level. The fortress became part of the Bulgarian territory in IX century. In XI century, it was conquered by the Byzantine, but when king Kaloyan assumed power, it was returned to Bulgaria again. In XII – XIII century, it was a big Medieval town-fortress. The outer walls cover surround an area of 25 decares, and inside of them, in the highest part, a Medieval fortress had been built spreading on a territory of 1-5 decares. Three churches and four precisely constructed water depots have been found and explored within the fortified territory. The main fortress walls, as well as the foundations of the churches and the four water depots, have been restored and preserved and attract many tourists. The fortress is an archeological monument of culture of national importance.

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