Chertigrad Fortress

Overview

Chertigrad Fortress is a protected natural landmark (rock complexes with forest vegetation, inhabited by rare and endangered mammals and birds of prey).

Chertigrad is located on the land of the village of Brusen between the villages of Brusen, Lopyan, Yamna, Cherni Vit. The most convenient starting point near the fortress is the village of Yamna. It is located 3 km from the village and can be reached in about 2 hours by following the marked trail "In the footsteps of Benkovski". There is a long tradition of gathering tourists on Chertigrad every first Saturday of May to light fires.

It was wonderful for its time, and for now the Thracian fortress "Chertigrad". It was established not later than the 10th - 8th century BC, on a naturally fortified height on the slopes of the Middle Balkan Mountains. The fortress was used by the Thracian tribes inhabiting the villages between which it is located.

The fortress "Chertigrad" was one of the fortified points and served to protect the population. It was returned and locked in the fortress together with its more valuable property and remained there until the danger passed. The Thracian tribes in danger - in case of attack of other tribes and peoples, sought the protection of the strong for its time Thracian fortress "Chertigrad".

There are several assumptions about the origin of the name of the fortress. One of them is the Russian word Chort - Devil's City - so it is noted in the old Russian military maps - Devil's City. Another opinion, which is probably most likely that the name comes from the Thracian word - CHARTIDAVA - denoting a feature, place. From the discovered foundations of the buildings it is clear that the fortress was burned, which put an end to its existence. Remains of the Thracian fortress in question are still present today.

The fortress "Chertigrad" has continued to play an important role for the population of these places and as a protector in turbulent times and as an economic and administrative center. For this reason, many legends have been created about the old Thracian fortress, some of which are more wonderful.

One of the legends says that during the siege of the fortress the population ground flour on the opposite hammer Ostri and from there the flour was passed on a rope in the fortress. There was a windmill on Ostrila, and some shepherds say there was a millstone in the recent past. However, it is more probable, however, that the windmill was in the area of ​​the fortress near Chertigrad, because they also found the remains of millstones there.

Another legend, which is more common, claims that the population was supplied with water from a spring located on the southern slopes of the Balkans, above Zlatitsa and Pirdop and named Ad - Bunar /the hell well/.

This spring is many kilometers from the fortress and in order to pass the water, it was necessary to overcome very difficult intersections.

However, the legend of the fall of the fortress under Roman rule is connected with the same pipelines. It is known that the fortress "Chertigrad" during this period was well fortified and difficult to capture.

At the end of the 2nd century BC, the Romans began to conquer the Balkan Peninsula and the lands of the Thracian tribes. For a period of over 100 years, the Romans managed to conquer all the Thracian tribes from the White Sea to the Danube, leaving only in some places fortified settlements that do not recognize Roman rule, such as "Chertigrad".

But at the end of the 1st century BC in the 27th year came the turn of the last impregnable fortress - "Chertigrad". Roman legions besieged the fortress and an unequal battle began - between the heavily armed Romans and the Thracians. Despite the numerous attacks of the Roman legions, the Thracians did not surrender. Many victims were made on both sides.

The siege lasted a long time, with Roman commanders waiting for the besieged to run out of food and water and surrender, but this did not happen. And here the legend says that while the Romans were waiting for the capitulation of the fortress, the Thracians from time to time released some cattle-fed cattle from the rocks, and when it fell down, it burst and showed that they had food. This convinced the Roman command that they were well stocked with food not only for themselves but also for the cattle. However, this was only a cunning trick to deceive the Roman generals. In this situation, the Roman command sought a way to deprive the fortress of water. It resorted to the advice of the Evil Witch of the Evil Valley, a Thracian woman who was something like an Oracle - she cast spells and predicted the future. Seeing the hopelessness of the besieged, she advised the Romans to feed a horse well and not to let him drink water from open springs and streams, but to lead him along the ridge of the mountain and he will find the aqueduct for the fortress. They followed the witch's advice and discovered the plumbing.

Where the horse began to dig, snort and howl, the Romans began to dig, found the aqueduct for the fortress and left it without water. Thus, the Thracians, being left without water, soon agreed to negotiate the surrender of the fortress. The besieged split in two: the younger ones, together with the leader Tures, did not agree to surrender, and the older ones insisted, because the water was out and not even for the small children. After lengthy negotiations between the Roman generals and the Thracian rulers, an agreement was reached to surrender the fortress, and the defenders were promised no responsibility and release. But the Romans did not keep their promises to save the lives of the population. It was subjected to ruthless logging - without distinguishing between women, children, young and old. All were massacred, the fortress was looted and burned to the ground.

This is what the legends say, as well as the foundations of the last Thracian fortress in the Balkans - "Chertigrad".

According to historical documents, "Chertigrad" fell under Roman rule in 27 BC, which ended the conquest of the Balkan Peninsula and the conquest of the Thracians.