Momchil Fortress

The origins of Momchil Fortress date back to the time of Emperor Justinian I (527-565), who had it built in the 6th century as part of a comprehensive defense system. A Thracian rock sanctuary already existed at this site in the late Neolithic period. After its destruction by the Slavs, the fortress was rebuilt in the 11th century. In 1343, it came into the possession of the Rhodope ruler Momchil and was known by the name Podvis. It served as a defensive structure until the Ottoman invasion at the end of the 14th century, but was then destroyed again and not restored. Momchil, a Bulgarian despot and sebastokrator, fought against the Ottomans and fell in battle in 1345. At the end of the 19th century, scientific interest in the fortress began, and in 1966 it was declared an archaeological monument of national importance and archaeologically investigated. Valuable finds can now be seen in the Regional History Museum in Smolyan.

Momchil Fortress is located near the village of Gradat in the Smolyan district, Smolyan region, Bulgaria.