Late antique fortress Sitan Kale - Bansko

Overview

Archaeological excavations in the Kalyata area began in 2013, when the late antique fortress Sitan Kale was discovered. The first information about the fortress is from the Byzantine chronicler Kedrin / kr. on XI - beginning of the XII century AD /, who notes: "Sitan is a remarkable city ..." - proof that since that time it was a numerous settlement. According to its purpose, the fortress guarded the Razlog valley, but at the same time it served as a connection point with fortresses on the other side of Pirin - Melnik, St. Vrach / Sandanski / and others. The fortified settlement is located 1300 m. altitude on the territory of Pirin National Park and is 3.5 km. south of Bansko. It is built on a hill surrounded by almost vertical slopes, which are now overgrown with ancient trees. According to the observations, it covers an area of ​​about 10 decares. Part of the eastern and northern walls with the gate of the citadel were discovered, which are built of processed limestone, welded with mortar and are 1.80-2.00 m thick. A round gate has been built in the northeast corner to guard the gate. Numerous fragments of household and construction ceramics, glass fragments, iron objects, arrows and spears, jewelry, etc. were found. According to the coins found so far, it can be said with certainty that the settlement was inhabited for the period III - XIV century AD. According to a project of OPRD, part of the discovered fortress wall has been restored and preserved. The fortified settlement can be reached by a well-formed tourist path, secured with wooden railings. Signs have been set up and rest areas have been set up. Most of the discovered artifacts are arranged in an archeological collection and are exhibited in the Historical and Ethnographic Complex "Radonova House" in Bansko.