Hisarlaka Fortress

Hisarlaka is a historical and archaeological site of national significance, representing an important stage in Bulgaria's history. The fortress was built in the late fourth and early fifth centuries and underwent various transformations during the Byzantine period and afterwards. It is associated with important historical events, including the Battle of Velbazhd in 1330, when the Serbian king Stefan Dečanski defeated the Bulgarian tsar Michael Shishman. The fortress has a polygonal plan and is equipped with gates, towers and walls of different sizes and shapes. Its walls were built using opus mixtum, or mixed masonry, combining materials such as brick and stone. Over the centuries it was a strategically important site and underwent various repairs and alterations. It was a Byzantine fortress, then a Bulgarian one, and subsequently Byzantine again, serving as a frontier post in different historical periods. Archaeological research has identified several construction phases and alterations, providing information about the site's development over time. The varied finds contribute to our understanding of the region's history.

Between 2007 and 2014, the fortress was partially restored with support from European funding, underlining its importance as part of the country's cultural heritage.