Hotalich Medieval Fortified Town

Hotalich is a medieval fortified town situated 4 km northwest of Sevlievo. It stands above the gorge of the River Rositsa on naturally fortified hilly terrain known as Krushevski Bair. It was founded in the 5th–6th centuries as a military fortification and restored in the 10th century by the Bulgarian state, which built defences to protect against attacks from the north and from Byzantium to the south. The town lies between the medieval towns of Tarnovo and Lovech and is classified as a medieval town of local significance, connected with a secondary ancient road along the Rositsa valley.

It is mentioned as Hotalich in Turkish administrative documents and appears as a nahiye from the mid-16th century. In 1618, it appears as the 'kaza of Hotalich'. Hotalich is believed to have been a neighbouring town of Servi, today's Sevlievo, which gradually replaced it during the 16th century. Excavations at Hotalich began in 1981, helping clarify the chronological phases and dating of the defensive wall and citadel.

Hotalich Fortress is one of Bulgaria's best-maintained and conserved medieval towns. A project proposal is being examined to provide convenient access and a tourism offering involving the restoration and conservation of various parts of the town, as well as an exhibition of artefacts from the excavations. The town was officially opened on 31 January 2014.