Montana (Монтана) Fortress

The settlement of Kaleto Hill dates back to the Copper Age, when people developed a sedentary lifestyle here due to the fertile soil and natural protective features. Later, the Thracians of the Triballi tribe built a first fortress, whose stone walls, over a meter wide, are still visible today. At the end of the 1st century BC, the Romans took over the site, attracted by the rich ore and gold deposits in the region. Under Roman rule, Montana developed into an important urban center of the province of Lower Moesia, with a permanent military presence and an extensive road network. In the 3rd century AD, the fortress “Kastra ad Montanesium” was rebuilt on the Thracian foundations to withstand Gothic attacks. It included barracks, a basilica, and massive walls. Near the fortress was an important Roman sanctuary dedicated to Diana and Apollo. In the 4th century, the villa settlement around the sanctuary was destroyed during a Gothic raid. The Roman city and fortress fell to an invasion by Avars and Slavs at the end of the 6th century. The Slavs founded a new settlement called Kutlovitsa on the ruins and used a Roman barracks building as a pagan sanctuary, which existed until the introduction of Christianity in the 9th century.

The Montana Fortress is located on Kaleto Hill in the city of Montana, in the district of Montana, in the region of Montana, Bulgaria, at an altitude of approx. 187 m above sea level.

Today, the remains of the fortress are partially restored and accessible to visitors. They offer insight into the various periods of settlement and the strategic importance of the site.

• Klisura Monastery (Sacred building), approx. 24.4 km away
• Cherepish Monastery (Uspenie Borgorodichno) (Sacred building), approx. 47.1 km away
• Almus Fortress (Fortress), approx. 47.7 km away
• Kaleto Fortress (Fortress), approx. 49.0 km away