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Cut-out detail; background removed. Stone disc with two holes at the archaeological site of Perperikon.
Stone disc

Perperikon · Main period: Antiquity

A town carved into a hill

How do you build a town from rock?

9 scenes · 4 min · Sources · 14

StartListen

Rooms cut into rock, water in a deep hollow and a disputed hypothesis. A close look at Perperikon from antiquity to the Middle Ages and the excavations begun in 2000.

Walls among the rocks at the archaeological site of Perperikon.

Part 1 · Main period: Antiquity

A room in the rock

The photograph shows rooms cut into rock. At Perperikon, people carved into the hill itself. They cut out rooms, streets and courtyards. Above the rock-cut lower floors, they raised walls and beams. Today the ruins look like houses with their upper halves removed.

Different generations changed the hill. Follow the edge of a room. Where does the rock end and the masonry begin?

Listen to scene · 1

Synthetic voice · 0:23
Sources · 1
  1. Николай Овчаров; national tourism portal BulgariaTravel (host) От свещения Перперикон до царствения Търновград PDF BulgariaTravel, cultural tourism brochure · 4–5
Geographic context, without historical bordersGeographic context, without historical borders1
Geographic context, without historical borders

Part 2 · Main period: Antiquity

Steps on the hilltop

Find Perperikon on the map. The hill lies in the Eastern Rhodopes, near Gorna Krepost village and present-day Kardzhali. The point marks its approximate location, without ancient borders.

Traces here reach back to the Copper Age. People then used both stone and copper. Later, the place is associated with the Thracians, ancient Balkan communities. The modern excavation programme began in 2000. Archaeologists uncovered a fortified hilltop settlement. They found rock-cut steps, channels and niches, small recesses in stone. Who made them, and what were they for?

Listen to scene · 2

Synthetic voice · 0:35
Sources · 3
  1. Pia Guldager Bilde; Birgitte Bøgh; Søren Handberg; Jakob Munk Højte; Jens Nieling; Tatiana Smekalova; Vladimir Stolba Archaeology in the Black Sea Region in Classical Antiquity 1993–2007: Thracian inland sites PDF Archaeological Reports · 2008 · 54 · 123–124
  2. Georgi Nekhrizov; National Archaeological Institute with Museum, BAS Curriculum Vitae PDF NAIM–BAS
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Perperikon
A deep rock-cut hollow containing water, with a metal safety railing at Perperikon.

Part 3 · Main period: Antiquity

Water in the rock

The photograph shows a deep rock-cut hollow containing water. Above it stands a modern safety railing. The municipal portal describes a large cistern in the Acropolis, the fortified upper town. We have not confirmed that this photograph shows that cistern. A cistern is a structure for collecting and storing water.

The town also had drainage: channels carrying rainwater away. Water alone does not prove the hollow’s purpose. Not every hollow is an altar, a place for offerings or sacrifices. What can you see for certain?

1 · Rock wall
The hollow is cut into bedrock.
2 · Water
Water is visible below in the modern photograph. This does not date the structure.
3 · Modern railing
The metal railing is a modern safety barrier, not an ancient wall.

Listen to scene · 3

Synthetic voice · 0:31
Sources · 3
  1. Kritzolina Archaeological complex of Perperikon 10.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2018
  2. Община Кърджали / Municipality of Kardzhali Водохранилище / Water reservoir Visit Kardzhali: official municipal tourism portal
  3. Николай Овчаров; national tourism portal BulgariaTravel (host) От свещения Перперикон до царствения Търновград PDF BulgariaTravel, cultural tourism brochure · 4–5
Rock-cut rooms above the valley at the archaeological site of Perperikon.

Part 4 · Main period: Antiquity

Wine and flame

Archaeologists describe an oval hall with a round rock-cut altar, a place for offerings or sacrifices. A disputed proposal links it to the oracle of Dionysus, a god associated with wine. An oracle is a place where people sought predictions.

A legend tells of Gaius Octavius, father of the future emperor Augustus. Priests predict his son’s power from flames rising from wine on an altar. It compares the omen with Alexander the Great’s. But it never names Perperikon. It proves neither man visited this hill.

Listen to scene · 4

Synthetic voice · 0:32
Sources · 4
  1. Pia Guldager Bilde; Birgitte Bøgh; Søren Handberg; Jakob Munk Højte; Jens Nieling; Tatiana Smekalova; Vladimir Stolba Archaeology in the Black Sea Region in Classical Antiquity 1993–2007: Thracian inland sites PDF Archaeological Reports · 2008 · 54 · 123–124
  2. Agence France-Presse; interview with excavation director Nikolay Ovcharov Oracle of Dionysus found in Bulgaria? eKathimerini · 2003
  3. Йордан Илиев Родопите и прорицалището на Дионис в Древна Тракия PDF Докторантски и постдокторантски четения 2011. ИФ–94. Софийски университет „Св. Климент Охридски“; съст. Антоан Тонев, Антоанета Петкова, Цветелина Харалампиева · 2013 · 5–22
  4. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus; English translation J. C. Rolfe The Lives of the Caesars, Volume I: Augustus Loeb Classical Library 31; William Heinemann / Macmillan; digital transcription Bill Thayer, LacusCurtius, University of Chicago · 1913 · Augustus 94

Part 5 · Main period: Antiquity

Activity: what do we know?

What can we say about the famous oracle?

  1. The connection with Perperikon is a disputed hypothesis.
  2. The round hollow identifies a temple of Dionysus.
  3. Suetonius names Perperikon.
Why is that?

Ovcharov proposes the connection; Iliev disputes its grounds. A rock-cut feature alone does not identify a deity.

Correct · The connection with Perperikon is a disputed hypothesis.

  1. Йордан Илиев Родопите и прорицалището на Дионис в Древна Тракия PDF Докторантски и постдокторантски четения 2011. ИФ–94. Софийски университет „Св. Климент Охридски“; съст. Антоан Тонев, Антоанета Петкова, Цветелина Харалампиева · 2013 · 5–22
  2. Agence France-Presse; interview with excavation director Nikolay Ovcharov Oracle of Dionysus found in Bulgaria? eKathimerini · 2003
  3. Pia Guldager Bilde; Birgitte Bøgh; Søren Handberg; Jakob Munk Højte; Jens Nieling; Tatiana Smekalova; Vladimir Stolba Archaeology in the Black Sea Region in Classical Antiquity 1993–2007: Thracian inland sites PDF Archaeological Reports · 2008 · 54 · 123–124
  4. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus; English translation J. C. Rolfe The Lives of the Caesars, Volume I: Augustus Loeb Classical Library 31; William Heinemann / Macmillan; digital transcription Bill Thayer, LacusCurtius, University of Chicago · 1913 · Augustus 94

Listen to scene · 5

Synthetic voice · 0:02
Sources · 4
  1. Йордан Илиев Родопите и прорицалището на Дионис в Древна Тракия PDF Докторантски и постдокторантски четения 2011. ИФ–94. Софийски университет „Св. Климент Охридски“; съст. Антоан Тонев, Антоанета Петкова, Цветелина Харалампиева · 2013 · 5–22
  2. Agence France-Presse; interview with excavation director Nikolay Ovcharov Oracle of Dionysus found in Bulgaria? eKathimerini · 2003
  3. Pia Guldager Bilde; Birgitte Bøgh; Søren Handberg; Jakob Munk Højte; Jens Nieling; Tatiana Smekalova; Vladimir Stolba Archaeology in the Black Sea Region in Classical Antiquity 1993–2007: Thracian inland sites PDF Archaeological Reports · 2008 · 54 · 123–124
  4. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus; English translation J. C. Rolfe The Lives of the Caesars, Volume I: Augustus Loeb Classical Library 31; William Heinemann / Macmillan; digital transcription Bill Thayer, LacusCurtius, University of Chicago · 1913 · Augustus 94
Stone disc with two holes at the archaeological site of Perperikon.

Part 6 · Main period: Antiquity

The stone disc with two holes

Here is a stone disc with two holes. One is near the middle, the other at the upper right. The photograph cannot date the disc or show whether it always stood here.

In 46 CE, the Thracian kingdom became a Roman province, an area under Roman rule. Public buildings and temples were built at Perperikon. That does not make every stone in the photograph Roman. Behind the disc stands a wall of separate blocks. Dating needs finds and their context during excavation.

1 · Central hole
The pale surface behind the disc is visible through the hole.
2 · Second hole
A second hole is visible at the upper right. Its function is unconfirmed.
3 · Block masonry
Behind the disc is masonry made of separate stone blocks. This view does not establish its date.

Listen to scene · 6

Synthetic voice · 0:30
Sources · 3
  1. Kritzolina Archaeological complex of Perperikon 08.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2018
  2. Николай Овчаров; national tourism portal BulgariaTravel (host) От свещения Перперикон до царствения Търновград PDF BulgariaTravel, cultural tourism brochure · 4–5
  3. Taner Güler “The Rugged Jaw of The Sea”: A Coastal Settlement of Salmydessos in Eastern Thrace Septem Artes · 2025 · 3 · 47–61
Stone wall on the hill at the archaeological site of Perperikon.

Part 7 · Main period: Antiquity

Churches and fortress

In Late Antiquity, people built Christian churches here. In 2016, excavators uncovered a large basilica in the South Quarter. This basilica is a church with three long sections: a nave and two side aisles.

People used the hill for centuries afterwards. A scholarly article places the Ottoman conquest, early 1360s. The exact year is disputed. It reports a heavy siege. Afterwards, soldiers guarded the fortress until the early fifteenth century.

The photograph shows a carved room. Calling it a famous oracle requires further evidence.

Listen to scene · 7

Synthetic voice · 0:36
Sources · 4
  1. Николай Овчаров; national tourism portal BulgariaTravel (host) От свещения Перперикон до царствения Търновград PDF BulgariaTravel, cultural tourism brochure · 4–5
  2. Николай Овчаров Перперикон след Перперикон. Към историята на османското завоевание на Балканите / Perperikon after Perperikon. On the History of the Ottoman Conquest of the Balkans Годишник на Историческия факултет на ВТУ „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2021 · 5 · 83–107
  3. Българско национално радио; интервю с Николай Овчаров Перперикон – един от най-популярните български археологически обекти в чуждите медии Радио България: История и вяра · 2010
  4. Николай Димитров Овчаров; НАИМ–БАН Индивидуален отчет: резултати от научната дейност, §1.1 PDF Национален археологически институт с музей: Годишен отчет за 2016 г. София · 2017 · 151–152

Part 8 · Main period: Antiquity

Activity: put time in order

Put these in order, earliest first.

  1. Thrace becomes a Roman province
  2. Christian churches are built
  3. The Ottoman conquest
  4. Modern excavations begin
Why is that?

First comes the Roman province. The churches described were built centuries later. The Ottoman conquest and the modern excavation programme follow.

Correct order

  1. Thrace becomes a Roman province
  2. Christian churches are built
  3. The Ottoman conquest
  4. Modern excavations begin
  1. Николай Овчаров; national tourism portal BulgariaTravel (host) От свещения Перперикон до царствения Търновград PDF BulgariaTravel, cultural tourism brochure · 4–5
  2. Николай Овчаров Перперикон след Перперикон. Към историята на османското завоевание на Балканите / Perperikon after Perperikon. On the History of the Ottoman Conquest of the Balkans Годишник на Историческия факултет на ВТУ „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2021 · 5 · 83–107
  3. Pia Guldager Bilde; Birgitte Bøgh; Søren Handberg; Jakob Munk Højte; Jens Nieling; Tatiana Smekalova; Vladimir Stolba Archaeology in the Black Sea Region in Classical Antiquity 1993–2007: Thracian inland sites PDF Archaeological Reports · 2008 · 54 · 123–124
  4. Taner Güler “The Rugged Jaw of The Sea”: A Coastal Settlement of Salmydessos in Eastern Thrace Septem Artes · 2025 · 3 · 47–61
  5. Николай Димитров Овчаров; НАИМ–БАН Индивидуален отчет: резултати от научната дейност, §1.1 PDF Национален археологически институт с музей: Годишен отчет за 2016 г. София · 2017 · 151–152

Listen to scene · 8

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 5
  1. Николай Овчаров; national tourism portal BulgariaTravel (host) От свещения Перперикон до царствения Търновград PDF BulgariaTravel, cultural tourism brochure · 4–5
  2. Николай Овчаров Перперикон след Перперикон. Към историята на османското завоевание на Балканите / Perperikon after Perperikon. On the History of the Ottoman Conquest of the Balkans Годишник на Историческия факултет на ВТУ „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2021 · 5 · 83–107
  3. Pia Guldager Bilde; Birgitte Bøgh; Søren Handberg; Jakob Munk Højte; Jens Nieling; Tatiana Smekalova; Vladimir Stolba Archaeology in the Black Sea Region in Classical Antiquity 1993–2007: Thracian inland sites PDF Archaeological Reports · 2008 · 54 · 123–124
  4. Taner Güler “The Rugged Jaw of The Sea”: A Coastal Settlement of Salmydessos in Eastern Thrace Septem Artes · 2025 · 3 · 47–61
  5. Николай Димитров Овчаров; НАИМ–БАН Индивидуален отчет: резултати от научната дейност, §1.1 PDF Национален археологически институт с музей: Годишен отчет за 2016 г. София · 2017 · 151–152

Part 9 · Main period: Antiquity

Activity: match the evidence

Match each piece of evidence to what it shows us.

  1. Photograph of the water-filled hollow · Visible water, unconfirmed purpose
  2. Photograph of the stone disc · Two visible holes, no secure date
  3. Suetonius’ account · Legendary prediction, no name Perperikon
Why is that?

The photograph shows water, but alone cannot prove the hollow’s purpose. The photograph shows holes but does not date the disc. The written account preserves a legend, not an address for the oracle.

  1. Kritzolina Archaeological complex of Perperikon 08.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2018
  2. Kritzolina Archaeological complex of Perperikon 10.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2018
  3. Община Кърджали / Municipality of Kardzhali Водохранилище / Water reservoir Visit Kardzhali: official municipal tourism portal
  4. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus; English translation J. C. Rolfe The Lives of the Caesars, Volume I: Augustus Loeb Classical Library 31; William Heinemann / Macmillan; digital transcription Bill Thayer, LacusCurtius, University of Chicago · 1913 · Augustus 94

Listen to scene · 9

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 4
  1. Kritzolina Archaeological complex of Perperikon 08.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2018
  2. Kritzolina Archaeological complex of Perperikon 10.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2018
  3. Община Кърджали / Municipality of Kardzhali Водохранилище / Water reservoir Visit Kardzhali: official municipal tourism portal
  4. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus; English translation J. C. Rolfe The Lives of the Caesars, Volume I: Augustus Loeb Classical Library 31; William Heinemann / Macmillan; digital transcription Bill Thayer, LacusCurtius, University of Chicago · 1913 · Augustus 94

A new find for your collection

Visible remains and interpretations of them are different kinds of knowledge.

SozopolThe god who left townSee how people lived and worked in another period.Boyana Church · BoyanaThe faces of BoyanaThe Gospels of Ivan Alexander · LondonThe tsar between the pages

People in this story

SuetoniusAugustusGaius OctaviusAlexander the Great

Sources

  1. Agence France-Presse; interview with excavation director Nikolay Ovcharov Oracle of Dionysus found in Bulgaria? eKathimerini · 2003
  2. Pia Guldager Bilde; Birgitte Bøgh; Søren Handberg; Jakob Munk Højte; Jens Nieling; Tatiana Smekalova; Vladimir Stolba Archaeology in the Black Sea Region in Classical Antiquity 1993–2007: Thracian inland sites PDF Archaeological Reports · 2008 · 54 · 123–124
  3. Българско национално радио; интервю с Николай Овчаров Перперикон – един от най-популярните български археологически обекти в чуждите медии Радио България: История и вяра · 2010
  4. Община Кърджали / Municipality of Kardzhali Водохранилище / Water reservoir Visit Kardzhali: official municipal tourism portal
  5. Taner Güler “The Rugged Jaw of The Sea”: A Coastal Settlement of Salmydessos in Eastern Thrace Septem Artes · 2025 · 3 · 47–61
  6. Йордан Илиев Родопите и прорицалището на Дионис в Древна Тракия PDF Докторантски и постдокторантски четения 2011. ИФ–94. Софийски университет „Св. Климент Охридски“; съст. Антоан Тонев, Антоанета Петкова, Цветелина Харалампиева · 2013 · 5–22
  7. Николай Димитров Овчаров; НАИМ–БАН Индивидуален отчет: резултати от научната дейност, §1.1 PDF Национален археологически институт с музей: Годишен отчет за 2016 г. София · 2017 · 151–152
  8. Georgi Nekhrizov; National Archaeological Institute with Museum, BAS Curriculum Vitae PDF NAIM–BAS
  9. Николай Овчаров Перперикон след Перперикон. Към историята на османското завоевание на Балканите / Perperikon after Perperikon. On the History of the Ottoman Conquest of the Balkans Годишник на Историческия факултет на ВТУ „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2021 · 5 · 83–107
  10. Kritzolina Archaeological complex of Perperikon 08.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2018
  11. Kritzolina Archaeological complex of Perperikon 10.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2018
  12. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus; English translation J. C. Rolfe The Lives of the Caesars, Volume I: Augustus Loeb Classical Library 31; William Heinemann / Macmillan; digital transcription Bill Thayer, LacusCurtius, University of Chicago · 1913 · Augustus 94
  13. Николай Овчаров; national tourism portal BulgariaTravel (host) От свещения Перперикон до царствения Търновград PDF BulgariaTravel, cultural tourism brochure · 4–5
  14. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Perperikon

Images

Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Site today. Original file, unmodified. Cut-out detail; background removed.

Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Site today. Original file, unmodified. Processed image.

Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Site today. Original file, unmodified. Processed image.

Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Site today. Original file, unmodified. Processed image.

Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Site today. Original file, unmodified. Processed image.

Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Site today. Original file, unmodified. Processed image.

Geographic context, without historical borders

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso · Public domain · Natural Earth

Open source

Full attribution

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso