Siege of Tsepina

After conquering Thrace and Macedonia, the Ottomans turned towards the conquest of the Rhodope Mountains. A clash took place at Tsepina Fortress, which was defended by its inhabitants. They were led by Voivode Ban Velyo.

Numerous battles took place over nine months, and the local population managed to repel the Turks in every one. Eventually, however, the fortress fell because the Ottomans cut off its water supply. After the fortress fell, the Ottomans brought the territories in the Rhodope Mountains under Ottoman rule.