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Kastra Rubra-unspoiled countryside,a touch of history

Anita Valentinova, some materials used from horemag.com, 08.01.2009

Kastra Rubra is unknown and non-typical tourist region with a great potential for becoming an attractive tourist destination. What makes Kastra Rubra real tourism trademark and flourishing prosperity in Municipality Harmanli The Beginning

Municipality Harmanli has finished the realization of the project “Via Diagonalis and Bulgarian Stonehenge”, financed by European Phare Program in May 2008. The most important results of the implementation of the plan was on the display of famous landmarks in Harmanli Municipality: 1. Roman road-a crossing starting from Via Diagonalis ( Diagonal Road), which connected Rome with Constantinople in the past 2. Kastra Rubra Fortress (Red Fortress)-Roman road station, dated back to II century A.D, where those itinerants changed horses, spent nights and had a short break 3. Finds from the fortress and two necropolises, situated in a close proximity to it, golden coins treasure of Byzantine Emperors Mavrikii and Irakli, ornaments of the fortification and jewels

Kastra Rubra (Red Fortress)-the ‘Red story’.

Kastra Rubra is much more than high valuable archaeological object, as it is a place that has the real potential to be turned into an attractive tourist landmark. The fortress is a symbol of the rich history of the region which was of great importance for rulers and communities from the period of Thracians until Bulgarian Liberation. First historical information for it was available from Roman itinerary, called ‘Pevtingerova Map’ (2d century). This piece of information was useful to specify the location of the Roman road and the existing kinds of road stations. One of them is Kastra Rubra. It was considered to have been called ‘Subzupara’ in the past owing to the presence of the component ‘-para’ in the name, it was supposed that Thracian settlement, called ‘Zupara’ was situated on that spot. New buildings have been erected during the period of Emperor Justinian Veliki, but all old fortresses have been renovated one of which was the above-mentioned, called also ‘Kastozobra’. What invites you to visit the local cultural and historical heritage is exactly the interesting Kastra Rubra. An antique altar and Thracian mound were also discovered in the area. Menhira, the most famous landmark in the land of Ovcharovo (Harmanli district, approx.16km), is better known as ‘Chuchul Stone” and it draws great interest. Actually, Chuchul Stone is religious monument and what makes it attractive to tourists is that it is the only one of its kind in Southeastern Europe. This remarkable monument dated back to the time of the Thracians. Its exact use hasn’t been defined yet, but it is believed to have been related to religious rites.

Another impressive object is the rich megalith complex of dolmens on the land of the village Cherepovo (26km northeast of Harmanli). Archaeologists and historians affirmed that many undiscovered finds and objects exist and they are to be explored. Last but not least monuments and valuables, dated back to the period after 1510 when Turkish people settled in the area, are also very interesting.

In fact, cultural and historical heritage of the area has great potential to be turned into priceless tourist product. This implies the transformation of the region into attractive tourist destination and the future development of both traditional and new social and economical activities. Undoubtedly, Kastra Rubra is one of the best symbols of Harmanli region, which rapidly gains popularity and has beneficial effects on the society. Harmanli must-see First of all, the most important thing is its specific cultural and historical heritage, including Humpbacked Bridge and the historical fountain White-legged Girl's spring. The reason why Harmanli is a land rich in valuable treasures, a heritage from different cultures is because of its prime location between West Europe and the Near East, between North Europe and Mediterranean countries.

Harmanli is also a unique centre, a starting point for journeys to plenty of interesting destinations:

  • Ivailovgrad, distinguished for a number of dolmens, protected area with rare plant and bird species (E.g. black vulture)
  • Madjarovo, famous for its places, suitable for the observation of white-headed vulture, and Thracian religious settlements such as the popular landmark Deaf stones, one of the biggest Thracian rite places in Eastern Rhodopes.
  • Evros Area, situated naturally next to the border between Bulgaria and Greece where the Dadia National Park can be visited.

Harmanli

Harmanli is a town in the southeastern part of Bulgaria. Harmanli came into being in about 1510 along the road that connects Central Europe and Anatolia. Its territory spreads over some parts of the Upper Thracian Lowlands between the oblique south slopes of the Sredna Gora and precipitous north slopes of the Rhodope Mountains. The Maritsa River flows near the city. Bulgarian writer Gencho Stoev said that: Harmanli does not need to travel because the world goes through it. Harmanli area has highly remarkable and beautiful sights of nature - natural waterfalls in the regions of Kiumiurluka and Kuru Dere and the protected area of Defileto, as well as the historic spots the Karakoliuvata Kashta cave, Forest Hades and Haidushkata Dupka a small cave.

For further information you can visit the source of this concise review