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<< Our Photo Pages >> Perperikon - Ancient Temple in Bulgaria

Submitted by Andy B on Saturday, 18 May 2013  Page Views: 20412

Multi-periodSite Name: Perperikon Alternative Name: Hyperperakion, Perperakion
Country: Bulgaria Type: Ancient Temple
Nearest Town: Kurdzhali  Nearest Village: Perperik
Latitude: 41.712649N  Longitude: 25.461502E
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
2 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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I have visited· I would like to visit

ModernExplorers visited on 11th Jul 2012 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Some interesting ruins - columns, ceramic pots, a tower at the top of the hill but the more interesting features were the shapes carved or cut into the rock. One of my favourite sites around the world

quetzalcoatl visited on 1st Jan 2005 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Visited in 2005 and passed by in 2015, big difference, now there is a big parking and many visitors, in 2005 there was nobody. I'm worried about the impact of the many visitors. They are quite fragile rocks



Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 2.5 Ambience: 4.5 Access: 4

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : Walking up the megalithic corridor to the top (Vote or comment on this photo)
Neolithic Rock sanctuary in Bulgaria. The earliest traces of human civilisation discovered so far at Perperikon were dated to the late Neolithic Period, 6th-5th millennium BCE. During the late Bronze Age in particular, 18th-12th century BCE, Perperikon saw its first heyday, which probably coincided with the peak of the Mycenaean and the Minoan civilisations.

The classic Greek mythology evolved by the early Iron Age, 11th-6th century BCE, during which the Thracian Gog/Heroes Dionysus and Orpheus became well established. Perperikon comprises four elements: the citadel, an acropolis at the top of the hill; a palace or temple immediately beneath the acropolis and facing southeast; and two outer cities, one on the northern and one on the southern slope of the hill. At the top of a barren rock hill a procession enters the sacred city of Perperikon through a road cut inside the rocks. Before making it to the top of the hill, they went through the vineyards on the slope, and collected wine that had been made on the sacred site using one of the many presses. The shredding and pressing of grapes reminds them of the misadventures of the god they came to worship: the Thracian god Zagreus, better known to the Greeks as Dionysos.

As they penetrate the temple carved in the rocks through the massive gate, they pay their respects to the high priest, who is also their ruler. The priest sits on a massive throne carved in the rocks. Soon the ceremony will begin. The worshipers are already in awe in front of these huge rooms and the magnificent views on the valley to their right, but their excitement is about to reach its climax when the temple's prophetess will pour wine on the fire that has been lit on the altar. At first sparkles will come from the wine drops. But then a large flame will erupt, the height of which will predict the fortunes of the year's harvest.

This is but one of the many scenes of worship which are believed to have taken place at Perperikon, a grandiose holy site which has been active for thousands of years before falling into oblivion starting in the 12th century AD.

Read more at Blue Bulgaria

See also www.directionbulgaria.com and
www.rock-cut.thracians.org.

There are also photos at Blue Bulgaria

http://www.perperikon.bg/home.php?cp=2

Note: Bulgaria should seriously consider inviting Mongolian shamans to "enliven" its ancient sites, argues leading Bulgarian archeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov.
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Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : A lower section of the site. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : There were cisterns for water storage. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : There were channels for liquid to flow/ (Vote or comment on this photo)

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : Columns at the top (Vote or comment on this photo)

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : Ceramic artifacts were found (Vote or comment on this photo)

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : More steps carved in to the rock

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : A more recent doorway

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : A megalithic doorway

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : A tower at the top

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : Site in Bulgaria

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : A rock-cut corridor.

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : More interesting shapes carved in the rocks.

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : Looks like a sarcophagus (2 comments)

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers :

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : There were cisterns for water storage.

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : There were channels for liquid to flow.

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : There were channels for liquid to flow

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : There were some very interesting shapes in the rocks

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : More recent ruins at the top

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : There were ruins from different ages

Perperikon
Perperikon submitted by ModernExplorers : There were steps carved in to the rocks

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 3.3km S 175° Perperikon Tombs Rock Cut Tomb
 16.1km SSE 164° Harman Kaya Cave or Rock Shelter
 20.2km SSE 160° Tatul Thracian Temple* Ancient Temple
 20.4km ESE 116° Pchelari Rock Cut Tomb Rock Cut Tomb
 24.6km W 275° Nenkovo Rock Womb* Cave or Rock Shelter
 29.4km E 97° Dolni Glavanak Stone Circle* Stone Circle
 31.6km SSW 202° Ovchevo Rock Cut Tomb Rock Cut Tomb
 38.6km ENE 60° Ostur kamuk Dolmen Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 43.6km WNW 290° Belintash Ancient Temple
 48.4km ESE 122° Zhelezino Dolmen* Chambered Tomb
 48.4km SSE 146° Chernichevo Dolmen Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 53.2km E 87° Mezek Thracian tomb Chambered Tomb
 54.7km ESE 122° Plevun dolmen Chambered Tomb
 55.4km NE 53° Chuchul Kamak Standing Stone (Menhir)
 56.6km ESE 107° Oryahovo Dolmen* Chambered Tomb
 58.9km ENE 64° Mound near Izvorovo* Round Barrow(s)
 60.9km ENE 70° Eshmedzhika Dolmen Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 64.5km SE 133° Dolmen Roussa 3* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 64.5km SE 133° Roussa Dolmen* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 65.6km SE 134° Dolmen Roussa* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 73.8km ENE 59° Balgarska Poliana Dolmen* Chambered Tomb
 74.3km ENE 60° Gaidarov Dolap dolmen Chambered Tomb
 76.1km NW 310° Eumolpias Ancient Village or Settlement
 76.8km NW 310° Plovdiv Archaelogical Museum Museum
 80.3km N 9° Stara Zagora Neolithic dwellings* Ancient Village or Settlement
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"Perperikon" | Login/Create an Account | 8 News and Comments
  
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Bulgarian Archaeologist Considers Importing Shamans from Mongolia by bat400 on Saturday, 18 May 2013
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Bulgaria should seriously consider inviting Mongolian shamans to "enliven" its ancient archeological sites, argues leading Bulgarian archeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov.

At a press conference presenting the results of a recent expedition to Mongolia, Ovcharov said he and his team met and talked to local shamans to discuss the novel idea.
"I now have this as my cause and most probably in April and May next year we will have true shamanic rituals here in Bulgaria," said he.

Although Bulgarians speak a Slavic language and stem predominantly from ancient Slavs and Thracians, the ancient Bulgars, who founded the Bulgarian state in 681 AD and gave it its name, are considered by some to be of Turkic origin and as such related to the Mongols.
"We have to recreate the rituals of the ancient Bulgars at their archaeological sites here in Bulgaria," argued Prof. Ovcharov.
"The participation of true shamans would be really important from a scientific point of view, but it will also create a veritable tourist attraction," explained he.

According to Ovcharov, shamanistic rituals could be staged not only at Bulgar sites near Madara and Varna, but also at the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon.
"This is of utmost importance for tourism, and our tourist sites can be aptly enlivened with attractions like the one I am suggesting," added the archaeologist.

Thanks to jackdaw1. For more, see: http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=141052.
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Bulgarian Archaeologist Shows Off Perperikon Finds by davidmorgan on Tuesday, 19 October 2010
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From coldrum:

Leading Bulgarian archaeologist Nikolay Ovcharov has presented the latest finds of his team from the Ancient Thrace and Rome fortress of Perperikon in the Rhodope Mountain.

One of the finds is a miniature model of a stone grinder dated back to 7000 years ago. Ovcharov believes the model might have been an actual children's toy.

Another unique find is a figure of a Thracian warrior from the 3rd-2nd century BC. The Thracian warrior used to hold a spear. The figure is modeled after the Greek god Apollo, who in the Roman Age "replaced" the cult for the "Thracian Horseman", a local deity, among the Thracians.

Ovcharov also showed a surgical instrument from Roman times which was used for plucking parasites out of human bodies. He explained the instrument is the same as the one portrayed on every pharmacy with a serpent wrapped around it or held by the Ancient Greece god of medicine Asclepius.

According to the professor, the most interesting find at Perperikon from the Middle Ages period is the 13th century image of a mummer, or "kuker" in Bulgarian. The human-line image features a man with a bear head and a bear skin, which according to Ovcharov, proves that today's kukeri games around Bulgaria – in which humans dress as scary animal creatures to chase away evil ghosts – were inherited from the ancient Dionysus games among the Thracians.

Other exciting finds from the four-month summer excavations at Perperikon are a bronze buckle from the 10th century with an image of a griffin, a mythical creature with an eagle's head and a lion's body, and 14th-century Venice coins.

A very rare Bulgarian coin picturing Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander and his son Mihail from the Second Bulgarian Empire, minted in 1330-1345, was also shown to the public.

The Thracian city of Perperikon is an ancient archaeological complex located 15 km north of the city of Kardzhali. It is believed to be site of the sanctuary of god Dionysus which was widely known in the ancient world.

Human activity at Perperikon dates back to 5 000 BC, and in the Middle Ages the former ancient sanctuary became a key fortress controlling the Eastern Rhodoppe Mountains.

Professor Nikolay Ovcharov started the excavation works at Perperikon in 2000 and has revealed part of a stunning ancient architectural complex which is still being unearthed.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=121245
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Unique Byzantine seal found in ancient Thracian city of Perperikon by davidmorgan on Saturday, 18 September 2010
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From coldrum:

A unique Byzantine seal has been found in the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon, archaeologist Nikoklay Ovcharov announced for FOCUS News Agency.

The seal is of patrician Teodorokan. The seal is made of lead. In the past such seals were used for decree-letters. These seals in some way resemble post cards. They bear the name, the surname, the title and the rank of the person.

“The seal is a unique item because it belongs to a person that is very important for the Bulgarian history. This patrician lived in the X-XII century [CE] and is well-known in the historical sources. He is a person who had a very important role in the decisive battle between Bulgaria and Byzantium – a gigantic battle between Samuel of Bulgaria and Basil II the Bulgar-slayer. According to the historical sources in 999 [CE] patrician Teodorokan was appointed commander-in-chief of the Byzantine troops in Philippopol – Plovdiv,” Professor Ovcharov said.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n230053
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Huge cult complex unearthed in Bulgaria by coldrum on Thursday, 01 October 2009
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Huge cult complex unearthed in Bulgaria

A team led by Bulgarian archaeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov has
uncovered an enormous cult complex at the ancient Thracian city of
Perperikon in the Rhodope Mountains, 15 km northeast of the present-
day town of Kardzhali, Bulgaria. The complex consists of at least 9
altars each 2 meters in diameter located on an area of 12 square km.
They are dated back to about 1500 BCE. On those altars, the ancient
Thracians practiced fire rituals; similar rituals were practiced at
about the same time in Ancient Egypt, on the island of Crete, and in
the Hittites state in Asia Minor.
Professor Ovcharov, who gave a special press conference in the
southern city of Kardzhali, said the discovery of the cult complex may
lead to the discovery of a connection between Ancient Thrace and the
Minoan Crete civilization. One of the altars Ovcharov's team found is
built of stone plates with thickness of 1,5-2 meters; this is believed
to be the largest altar in Southeast Europe. During their excavations
at Perperikon over the summer, the archaeologists found items from the
late period of the Roman Empire, and a medieval citadel dated to
13-14th century, which is a testimony that Perperikon was an important
city during all time periods.
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=107916
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This pile of rocks was once the seat of kings by Andy B on Saturday, 13 June 2009
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The Bulgarians are unearthing their Thracian heritage. Now visitors can enjoy what's been discovered too, says Robert Nurden

The megalithic sanctuary at Perperikon is one of the sites uncovered in the past 10 years

It could be the world's first observatory, its network of little pools acting as mirrors to the stars. It could be a calendar, a kind of Bulgarian Stonehenge [...we were waiting for that one weren't we - MegP Ed]. Or it might even be where soothsayers once predicted the future by watching the pattern of flames and the flow of wine down channels carved in the rock.

It might even have been where Alexander first heard the prophecy that he would, one day, conquer the world. It has a sphinx; compasses go haywire when laid on its granite rocks; and it is dangerous to be there in a thunderstorm. Sci-fi geeks claim its flat plateau of rocks was a landing strip for aliens. But no one really knows what Belintash – 4,000 years old and 4,000 feet up in Bulgaria's Rhodope Mountains – was actually for.

Not even such serious-minded archaeologists as Milen Kamarev have much of a clue. "We think it was a Thracian sanctuary to a goddess who was the forerunner of Dionysus," he says. "It could be the rival oracle to Delphi, but we're always changing our mind."

Part of the reason for the uncertainty is that the Thracians – the Orientals of Europe – were a mysterious bunch. They had no alphabet, and they thought the after-life was more important than this one.

What is certain is that in the past 10 years Bulgaria has discovered hundreds of ancient sites and unearthed breathtaking hoards of treasure. Museums are stuffed with exquisite gold and silver artefacts such as the mask pictured above. This is archaeology in the making, and now travel firms are marketing Thracian heritage tours.

The name Thrace may not mean much to you. Yet, Homer said the Thracians were the most populous race after the Indians. For centuries they ruled over most of the Balkans and much of the Aegean. Their horsemanship was legendary and their guerrilla tactics the talk of the ancient world.

Yet, in Bulgaria, pagan festivals such as Kukeri, the ritual that ushers in spring with erotic dances, scary masks and sheep bells, have their roots in Thracian customs. So does the Bulgarians' love of traditional medicine – herbalists from miles around gather on Belintash to pick plants thought to have magical properties for just one night in May. And the nation's fire dancers carry on a craft started by these enigmatic people.

Further east lies Perperikon, another megalithic sanctuary, this time with an altar and a throne. A year ago it was to have been the location for a historical epic starring Nicole Kidman but that project seems to have sunk without trace.

Nearby Tatul is said to house the grave of Orpheus, who was Thracian not Greek – and a real person who, it is said, gave rise to the Orphic cult. At the highest point is a strange double sarcophagus, symbolically midway between sky and earth. Either that, or it is an altar where human sacrifice took place.

The day before, we had been in the Valley of the Kings, where 10,000 mounds of earth point to the presence of the Odrissi. These 2,500-year-old grassy knolls were first thought to be the tombs of nobles, but that's an awful lot of aristocrats to bury. Far more intriguing is the current theory that they were underground temples where the Orphic rites were performed.

The Kazanlak complex has a gorgeous domed fresco: you can only see the replica. At Golyamata Kosmatka the heads of Medusa and Helios guard the inner sanctuary where Seuthes III may have been buried around 300BC. The city he ruled is at the bottom of a reservoir a couple of miles away, cynically submerged by the Communist regime in 1948. Now there's an audacious plan to resurrect the complex by parting the waters with a 20-metre wall. If approved, it will be the

Read the rest of this post...
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Important Ancient Artefacts Found in Bulgaria's Perperikon by coldrum on Wednesday, 17 October 2007
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Important Ancient Artefacts Found in Bulgaria's Perperikon

The team of archaeologists of the famous Bulgarian Professor Nikolay Ovhcarov has unearthed three unique artefacts from the different epochs of the ancient city Perperikon.

The three artefacts were unearthed during the four-month excavations of the team, Professor Ovcharov himself announced at a Wednesday press conference.

The first artefact is a bronze sword dated back to the 13-12 century BC. Such swords were used in the Trojan War, the professor explained.

The second one is the clay idol of a man made some 6,000 years ago. The figurine had been used during magical rituals, when witch-doctors wanted to cure somebody from plague or measles.

The third artefact is a silver distinction from the 4-5th century AC, consisting of two parts, representing Jesus Christ. It probably belonged to a Byzantine noble.

The excavations at Perperikon and at the Temple of Orpheus near the village of Tatul finished just a couple of days ago, Professor Ovcharov said.

The findings have helped the archaeologists and historians to fill in some holes in the history.

The city of Perperikon has been inhabited since around 5000 BC, while a nearby shrine dedicated to Orpheus, near the village of Tatul, dates back to 6000 BC and is older than the Pyramids of Giza.

It has fallen into disuse after the Ottomans swept through the area in the 14th century.
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=85983
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Bulgaria Discovers Biggest Ancient Water Tank on the Balkans by Anonymous on Thursday, 23 August 2007
Bulgarian archaeologists announced they have discovered the biggest ancient tank for storing water on the Balkans, etched into the rock sanctuary of Perperikon, near Kardzhali in southern Bulgaria.

Top archaeologist Nikolay Ovcharov, who unearthed the water tank to add it to the long list of exciting finds from the rock sanctuary, says the discovery proves that there were times when Perperikon was densely populated and with huge water supplies.

The tank, measuring twelve-meter-long, six-meter-wide and six-meter-deep, has a capacity of 432 000 litres.

It was just last month that Ovcharov showed the press two unique ceramic figurines of a cobra, dragon heads and a throne with an upright phallus that were discovered at the rock sanctuary of Perperikon.

The city of Perperikon has been inhabited since around 5000 BC, while a nearby shrine dedicated to Orpheus, near the village of Tatul, dates back to 6000 BC and is older than the Pyramids of Giza.
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=84290
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Re: Perperikon by Andy B on Wednesday, 30 May 2007
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News of the recent excavations are here:
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146413029
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