Description of the attraction
The ruins of the Krivus fortress are located in the south of the Rhodope, in the Kardzhali region, near the village of Bashevo. They are located on a rocky promontory a hundred meters above the level of the Arda River, which surrounds the ancient fortress on three sides.
Historians believe that the medieval Bulgarian fortress Krivus was built in the 10th century. The location was not chosen by chance - the fortress was inaccessible due to the steep cliffs surrounding it. The main function of the Krivus fortress and the nearby Patmos fortress was the defense of the territory around the Arda River in the eastern part of the Rhodope. The citadel was finally destroyed, like most of the Bulgarian defensive structures, during the Ottoman invasion. In history, there are references to the fact that during the era of Turkish slavery, the fortress was used as a women's prison.
The fortress wall, which is approximately 2.5 meters thick at the base and 1.75 meters at the top, and about five meters high, defensive towers and two well-fortified entrances to the fortress, have survived to this day and are in good condition. Also, the citadel - the inner fortress - measuring 40 by 50 meters and the surrounding battlement, six meters high, are perfectly preserved. A church was erected in the center of a small courtyard, but only ruins remained of it. A special tunnel was laid between the river and the fortress, through which water entered the territory of the fortified defensive structure. It was created in case of a siege of the fortress by enemies and was a unique example of engineering thought of that era. Today the tunnel is filled up and difficult to find.
During the excavations of the ancient fortress of Krivus, many ancient coins, jewelry, as well as Christian symbols, such as stone crosses, and weapons were found. The fortress is mentioned several times in the Byzantine chronicles of George the Acropolis. Today the ruins are open to the public. A picturesque view opens up from the top of the hill.
