Hisarya Fortress

The earliest traces of settlement on Hisar Hill date back to the Copper Age (4000-3000 BC), as evidenced by findings of residential buildings and pottery fragments. A Thracian settlement was also located here. The fortress was built during the Roman era, but it gained fame in 1187 AD when the peace treaty with Byzantium was signed here, marking the beginning of the Second Bulgarian Empire. In addition to the natural protection provided by steep slopes and a river, the fortress was surrounded by a stone wall. Archaeological excavations uncovered the remains of seven churches of different architectural styles, with the oldest and largest church dating from the 5th to 6th century and located on the hilltop. Finds of jewelry, everyday objects, tools, and ceramics bear witness to life within the fortress. Two hoards of silver coins depicting Tsar Ivan Alexander and his son Michael are noteworthy, one with 16 coins in a pot and another with 1430 coins in a jug. The Lovech Fortress was one of the last to fall to the Ottomans in 1446.

The Hisarya Fortress is located on Hisar Hill in the city of Lovech, in the Lovech District, in the Lovech Region, Bulgaria, at an elevation of approximately 225 m above sea level.

The remains of the fortress are now accessible. A large metal cross inside the complex is visible from many parts of Lovech.