Bukelon Fortress: A Historic Military Site in Bulgaria
Visitor Information
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Official Website: www.gosvilengrad.bg
Country: Bulgaria
Civilization: Medieval European, Roman
Site type: Military
Remains: Castle
History
Bukelon Fortress is situated on a hilltop near the village of Matochina, within the municipality of Svilengrad in present-day Bulgaria. Its strategic position close to the Tundzha River and near what is now the Turkish border has made it an important military site since antiquity. The earliest known construction on the site dates back to the Roman period, when a fortified camp, or castra, was established as part of a defensive system protecting the city of Adrianople (modern Edirne).
This original Roman fortress, built using a technique called opus mixtum—which combines different materials such as brick and stone—stood until the late 6th century. Archaeological finds, including a burnt coin from the reign of Emperor Justin II (565–578), suggest that the Roman fort was destroyed or abandoned following a significant fire during this time. After a period of decline, the location saw renewed military interest during the medieval era.
Between the 12th and 14th centuries, a new fortress was constructed on the site, incorporating a tall donjon tower. This medieval fortress appears in historical records under the name Vukelon (Greek Βουκέλου). Notably, an inscription on a triumphal column from the time of Khan Krum, dating back to 813 AD, commemorates the Bulgarian ruler’s capture of the site. Byzantine chronicles from the 14th century, including those by John Kantakouzenos, also mention the fortress, highlighting its continued importance within regional power struggles.
Bukelon Fortress was closely linked with several pivotal military events. It was near this area that the Battle of Adrianople took place in 378 AD during the Gothic War, which resulted in the death of the Roman Emperor Valens. Later, in 1205, the fortress’s vicinity witnessed another crucial battle when Bulgarian Tsar Kaloyan defeated the forces of the Fourth Crusade and captured their leader, Baldwin I of Flanders. The fortress also played a role during the reign of Bulgarian Tsar Michael III Shishman in the early 14th century, as well as in the Byzantine civil conflicts involving John VI Kantakouzenos around 1344.
With the Ottoman conquest of the region after 1396, Bukelon Fortress gradually lost its military significance and fell into disrepair. Ottoman documents from 1664 reference hunting activities in the surrounding forests, suggesting a largely rural and sparsely inhabited landscape at that time. The fortress itself became enveloped by natural overgrowth and remained in ruins for centuries.
The historical importance of Bukelon Fortress was recognized in the 20th century, when architect Stefan Boyadzhiev conducted the first thorough archaeological and architectural examinations in 1961. The site was declared a national cultural monument in 1968, prompting conservation projects in 1970 and later in 2008. Archaeological work resumed in 2017 under Bulgaria’s National Archaeological Institute and Museum, uncovering further evidence of the fortress’s long and varied history.
Remains
The layout of Bukelon Fortress occupies a flat plateau atop a small hill, naturally protected by steep slopes on most sides. Only the southern approach remains accessible, where the sole original road connects the site with the nearby village. Around the edge of the plateau are the remains of a Roman defensive wall constructed in opus mixtum style, which combines layers of brick and stone. These walls, standing up to almost two meters in places beneath later constructions, trace the perimeter of the ancient castra once guarding Adrianople.
Dominating the southern end of the hill is the medieval donjon tower, the most intact structure remaining from the fortress. Rising to approximately 18 meters, this tower was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and strategically positioned to guard the only entrance route. Its walls are made of crushed stone held together by plaster mortar, while its outer face is decorated with baked bricks, adding both strength and some ornamental value. Architecturally, the tower consists of three sections: an eastern semi-cylindrical extension, a central rectangular section that housed living quarters, and a western corridor that runs above the castle wall.
The full fortress extends roughly 65 meters in width and stretches about 150 meters in length, enclosing a variety of structures and features. On the plateau, archaeologists have uncovered traces of a water reservoir, likely used to supply defenders during sieges. Additionally, small cultic installations are present, including spherical hollows carved into rock, which may have had religious or ritual use.
Near the entrance to the fortress can be seen a carved monogram arranged in the form of a cross, featuring the letters M, N, L, and K. This inscription adds a personal or symbolic touch to the gateway, though its precise meaning remains part of the site’s historical character.
Excavations have also revealed various artifacts that testify to the fortress’s changing occupants. Among these are arrowheads and household items that reflect daily life and defense. Notably, two heart-shaped appliqués dating to the 10th century demonstrate Bulgarian influence in the area. Two Byzantine lead seals were uncovered as well—one from the 9th century linked to a border governor of Adrianople, and another from the late 13th or early 14th century connected to a protogerakarios, the chief falconer serving the Byzantine emperor.
Today, conservation efforts have stabilized many of the fortress’s remains. Restoration projects initiated from the late 20th century onwards have helped preserve the donjon tower and parts of the walls, allowing a clearer understanding of this historically layered military site. The tower has even served as a setting for film production, highlighting its enduring presence in the cultural heritage of the region.
