Sboryanovo National Historical Reserve

Overview

Sboryanovo Historical and Archaeological Reserve covers the territory in the western part of the Ludogorsko plateau, along the Krapinec River, between the villages of Malak Porovets and Sveshtari in the Isperih municipality. It is a unique complex consisting of settlements, sanctuaries and necropolises of ancient times. It was declared a Historical and Archaeological Reserve by a decision of the Council of Ministers №19 of December 8, 1988. To date, more than 140 archeological sites from different historical periods have been registered in the reserve. The most interesting sites are the Sveshtari tomb, the Teke Demir Baba, the fortified Thracian town, the sanctuary Kamen rid and the settlement in the area of ​​Büven kasaba.
The most significant discovery on the territory of the historical and archeological reserve "Sboryanovo" is the Sveshtari Thracian royal tomb. It was discovered in 1982 during excavations of Mound №7 from the Eastern mound necropolis of Sboryanovo (Ginina mogila mound). It was built in the first quarter of the third century BC. and is a unique monument of Thracian cemetery architecture.
Thanks to its remarkable architecture and artistic decoration, the Sveshtari Tomb has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.
The place where the Teke Demir Baba was built at the beginning of the 17th century was sacred to the various tribes and peoples who inhabited this area for more than 2000 years before its construction. Of the numerous buildings, only the tomb (tomb) of the Allied saint Demir Baba has survived. The altar rock next to the entrance of the courtyard of Demir Baba Teke is also preserved. The place is open for visits all year round during the light part of the day. It can be reached by an asphalt road, a landscaped alley and a staircase, starting from the parking lot of the Ahinora hut in Sboryanovo. It can be visited alone (there are information boards) or with a guide from the Reception Center at the Sveshtari Tomb.
The Getae capital Helis is another important site in the Sboryanovo reserve. Helis is a fortified Thracian city built in the last quarter of the 4th century BC. on an area of ​​over 100 decares. The site can be reached by a well-maintained asphalt road connecting the villages of M. Porovets and Sveshtari and crossing the reserve. It can be visited alone (there are information boards) or with a guide from the Reception Center at the Sveshtari Tomb.
Kamen rid is a sanctuary from the Early Stone Age, built by the Thracian tribe Getae to offer sacrifices to the sun god. The site can be reached on foot on a wide dirt road, starting from the parking lot in front of the hut "Ahinora" in the reserve "Sboryanovo". It can be visited alone or with a guide from the Reception Center at the Sveshtari Tomb.
Another interesting site in the area of ​​the reserve is the early medieval settlement in the area of ​​Büven Kasaba. It is an ensemble of excavated and semi-excavated residential, commercial and representative buildings. A small chapel was also discovered during the excavations. Excavations continue today.