According to a recent report by the news agency, Novinite, the leading top archaeologist Nikolay Ovcharov, says that Perperikon was once densely populated and with huge water supplies.

The city of Perperikon has been inhabited since around 5000 BC, while a nearby shrine dedicated to Orpheus, near the village of Tatul, dates back to 6000 BC and is older than the Pyramids of Giza.

Bulgarian archaeologists announced they have discovered the biggest ancient tank for storing water on the Balkans, etched into the rock sanctuary of Perperikon, near Kardzhali in southern Bulgaria.

Top archaeologist Nikolay Ovcharov, who unearthed the water tank to add it to the long list of exciting finds from the rock sanctuary, says the discovery proves that there were times when Perperikon was densely populated and with huge water supplies.

The tank, measuring twelve-meter-long, six-meter-wide and six-meter-deep, has a capacity of 432 000 litres.

It was just last month that Ovcharov showed the press two unique ceramic figurines of a cobra, dragon heads and a throne with an upright phallus that were discovered at the rock sanctuary of Perperikon.

Source: Novinite

Bulgaria is recognised as one of the key countries by the World Register of Historical Sites created by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Nine recognised sites include two nature reserves and seven cultural sites. UNESCO was founded on 16 November 1945 after the Second World War. The World Register was established in 1972, with Bulgaria being one of the 20 joint countries participating.

The Bulgarian World Hertiage Site Series by Kate Oakley will look at Heritage Sites throughout Bulgaria, bringing to you exciting and unusual places to visit.

Recent changes in Eastern Europe has brought much of the treasures of Bulgaria to the attention of the world; nature parks, Thracian tombs in Kazanlak and Sveshtari, the Horseman of Madara, the Church at Boyana – Sofia, Rock Monasteries in Ivanovo, the Rila Monastery, Old Nesebar, the Nature Reserve at Sreburna and the Pirin National Park, Bulgaria has much to offer both culturally and as a holiday resort.

Thracian tomb – Kazanlak 

The Thracian tomb at Kazanlak dates back to the 4th century B.C. Upon encountering the tomb, it appears like a corridor and is approximately 1.95m in length, 1.12m in width and 2.24m in height, which leads to a domed tomb, 3.25m in height and 2.65m in diameter at the base. You don’t really get a feeling of its dome shape until you enter the centre of it.

Forming part of the Hellenistic period, the tomb is located near Seutopolis, the ancient city of the Thracian King Seutes III and was discovered in 1944. Made of brick, the building was used by other conquering forces such as the Romans. Brick and clay form the basis of this beautiful site, where paintings from the Hellenistic period tell stories of ancient Thracian rituals and culture. 

The famous mural in the tomb covers an area of up to 40 square meters, exquisitely painted in wet fresco and tempera. Upon entering the tomb from its South facing entrance, you are captivated by its beauty and imagination of the murals that remain a unique feature in Bulgaria and throughout the world.

Visually striking, the mural paints a vivid picture of life in 4th century BC in ancient Bulgaria; scenes of battles and day to day living, funeral processions, chariots, horses, the Thracian ruler and his consort along with details of the armoury and clothes worn during that era.

Painted by an unknown painter, the tomb at Kazanlak is highly original. There really seems to be no comparison to its artistry according to experts. When compared to Greek art (as that is the closest comparison), the depictions in the tomb at Kazanlak is much more fluid.

Even the battle scenes are very different in their composition to the way that Greek artists showed battle scenes. According to archaeologists, the tomb at Kazanlak shows no heroic scenes but the painter has focused on different kinds of groups, illustrating the kinds of clothes worn, weapons carried – these are painted in great detail.

The murals at Kazanlak gives us an insight into what was important to the ruling class at that time; political achievement over battles won – which sets this mural apart from the classic Greek interpretation of mythological settings of battles and wars.

The murals in the tomb are intact and the colours remain vibrant to this day. Vivid scenes and incredible details of the murals at the Thracian tomb at Kazanlak have ensured a popularity which is enjoyed by both families and students of archaeology.

These images are provided by Nenko Lazarov - Images From Bulgaria 

Bordering Turkey, Greece and Romania, Bulgaria also meets with Macedonia, Serbia and the Black Sea. Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria sits in the west of the country.

A mixture of histories induces the Greeks, Romans, a Byzantine Empire, a Mongol invasion, and finally the Ottoman expansion which ended in the early 20th century. After the Second World War, Bulgaria came under the rule of the Soviet Union until 1989 when Soviet government was removed from power. In 1991 the Union of Democratic Forces won the parliamentary elections and by 1997, the country’s economy was on the road to stability.

Continuing its integration with the West, Bulgaria is fast becoming an economic, political and social force in Eastern Europe.

Renowned for its arts and crafts and music, Bulgaria holds a complex culture; ancient frescos, burial tombs, Thracian treasures of pure gold are just a few of its inheritance. Its music is the most marvellous aspect of its art – often described as mysterious, the style and scale of the vocal musicality has many experts puzzled as to how the human voice can produce such complex notation.

Highly regarded as part of  Bulgarian culture, the arts and crafts and festivities often take centre stage; fire dancing; growing and exhibition of  roses that date back to the Roman empire; circus performers; festival of masks marks the beginning of spring add to the cultural milieu.

Bulgaria also houses a great collection of fine art paintings and exhibits throughout the country, the most famous being the National Art Gallery housed in the Royal Palace in the capital Sofia.

Known throughout the world for its ceramics, Bulgaria supplies bone china throughout the west, often creating for well known companies. Handicrafts such as fleece rugs evoking the legends of Jason and the Argonauts and jewellery, particularly fret work dates back to ancient times.