Matochina Fortress

Bukelon Fortress at Matochina is situated in southeastern Bulgaria, close to the village of Matochina in Svilengrad Municipality, Haskovo Province. The fortress stands on a plateau atop a high ridge rising above the lowland of the Tundzha River.

The fortress occupies a hill whose slopes are difficult to access except from the south, where a road leads to the village. The small plateau on the hill is protected by an old defensive wall. The plateau contains remains of structures including a water cistern, places of worship and spherical hollows in the rocks.

The tall medieval tower, a donjon dating from the twelfth–fourteenth century, is well preserved and forms an imposing sight in the area. It stands at the southern end of the hill, controlling the only road to the plateau. Local historians identify Bukelon Fortress as a Roman castrum forming part of the perimeter of Adrianople, now Edirne. The name Bukelon is associated with the fortress's ancient Greek name, Voukelou.

According to some researchers, the decisive Battle of Adrianople in the Gothic War of AD 376–382 took place near this hill in 378. The Roman legions suffered a catastrophic defeat in the battle, and the Goths killed the Roman emperor Valens. From that point the Goths became foederati within the Roman Empire.

In 813 Khan Krum captured the fortress of Voukelon in the area, as attested by the marble inscription from the village of Teke Kozludzha. A lead seal belonging to a Byzantine dignitary and dating to around 822–823 has also been found in the fortress area.