Thracian rock cult complex "Eagle Rocks" (Orlovi skali)

Overview

Orlovi skali is a rock-cult complex located about 2 km from Ardino and about 30 km southwest of the town of Kardzhali. A group of prominent volcanic rocks are located in the Eagle Rocks area. Their location is on a steep mountainous terrain with an altitude of about 760 m. The slope on which they are located is facing west. The height of the rocks reaches 25 m from the surrounding terrain. Trapezoidal niches have been carved in inaccessible places in the rocks, of which 97 are now preserved. The number of niches was 100, but currently 3 are destroyed. The largest number of niches on the west side of the rocks - a total of 55. On the south side of the rocks are carved 35, on the north side of the rock niches are 5 in number, and on the east, which is accessible, there are 5-6 destroyed or unfinished. There is no regularity in the arrangement of the niches. Due to the large slope of the area on different sides, the height of the rock is not the same. Traces of gutters, altars and other rock-cut structures can be seen under the rocks. The rocks in which the trapezoidal niches are carved are metamorphic - mostly gneisses of Precambrian age. Fragments of pottery from the 5th-4th century BC have been found near the niches. Traces of scorching can be seen on the inside of many of the ceramic fragments. A fact that suggests that oil was poured into these vessels, which was probably used for ritual purposes. Nearby (at the height before reaching the niches) are the ruins of an ancient Thracian fortress known as the "Fortress", although it is difficult to see. The fortress covered an area of ​​0.5 acres. It was declared a protected site in 1979 in the category "Historic sites". The fortress wall describes an irregular circle with a diameter of 67 m. The fortress was built without the use of mortar, which is why today it is completely destroyed, the building has collapsed and the surface is dotted with fragments of Thracian pottery. Eagle Rocks was declared a natural landmark in 2003. According to local legends, under the Eagle Rocks there was an underground river and a dragon that kept a treasure. The most convenient approach to the site passes the building of the Historical Museum in the town of Ardino, to the neighborhood Bistrogled. The road is paved but narrow. Between two of the neighborhoods there is a small wooden pavilion with an arrow pointing to it. The trail is marked next to the complex. Most of the road is accessible for off-road vehicles, and the rest is on foot.