Sanctuaries "Mitrovica" and “Ostrets”

Thracian megalithic sanctuaries "Mitrovica" and "Ostrets" - Western Rhodopes

Between the rivers Mesta - Vishteritsa were recorded by our expedition ancient Thracian lot more sacral monuments. Among the most significant rock sanctuary Mitrovica, located on the imposing rock peak, just towering over the east coast of the river in the same village. Cult sites grow in height. On the penultimate day site is located churchyard "St. Dimitar "- Mitrovica ancient Thracian inherited religious monument and revered to this day. In the lower part - in the month falling sanctuary territory was part and architecture, which in 2004 we found strongly damaged by treasure hunters invasion. About considerable size stone mound, used to develop altar not so big architectural complexes. Since in the study was partially dry masonry and construction of cement horosan, fragments of Roman pottery building. Painting ceramics dating from the monument Pre Roman period, and Late Roman periods. Open gifts - iron sickle, vertebra by cop, severity of the camp, and toponymy Mitrovica make us think that it is a sanctuary of the Great Goddess, identification in the Thracian-Roman era probably by Demetra. Unfortunately, this unique monument cult, which may suggest signs of mistery ancient Thracian cult was completely destroyed by the treasure hunters through the use of chain equipment in 2005.

The area from the south, the most prominent cone peak in this part of Western Rhodopes - Ostrets was another significant religious site. Cone tip ends well elliptical site size of approximately 75 to 40 m. There had been seen traces of architectural construction. Unfortunately, this monument has been completely destroyed by treasure hunter's invasion. (Gotsev, Al., Markov, V. Field crawl in order to search for archaeological sites.- In "Thracian Sanctuaries in the Western Rhodopes and Pirin - In: AOR 2004 for Sofia: BAS AIM , 2005, pp 66-67, Markov, V. Cultural heritage and continuity. Ancient Thracian heritage of holy places in the Bulgarian folk culture. Blagoevgrad: UI Neophyte Rilski, 2007).

Rock sanctuary