“Momchilova Krepost” (Momchil’s Fortress) is the modern designation of the medieval stronghold Pobisdos (the Greek rendition of Slavic Podvis). Momchilova Fortress lies near Gradat Village, Smolyan Municipality. The village is located 17 km east of Smolyan and 110 km south of Plovdiv. The fortress was built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I (who ruled in the period 527-565). He launched massive military construction projects on the territory of the entire Balkan Peninsula and built several fortified lines: around Constantinople, the capital city, in the Rhodopes, in Stara planina (Old Mountain), and along the Danube River. The fortification facility was the successor to a Thracian rock sanctuary from the end of the 5th millennium BC. It lies in the highest spot on the territory of the fortress and offers a view of Golyam Perelik Peak (2191 m), Snezhanka Tower (Snow White Tower) in Pamporovo, Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory, and Svoboda Peak (Freedom Peak – 1943 m).
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