Sanctuary in cirque of Popovo Lake

Megalithic Thracian sanctuary in cirque of Popovo lake - Central Pirin

Megalithic THRACIAN Immediately west against the rock sanctuaries Mitrovica and Ostrets Western Rhodopes, high, more than 2200 m altitude Pirin is located in the round sacral in Ancient Thrace area of cirque of Popovo Lake. It has probably reached Valley Places along the river Retizhe, spring from the circus. Along were several important megalithic sanctuaries. On the east shore of the Popovo Lake was opened in its size imposing megalithic altar shaped facing a truncated pyramid. Two sacred water chute removed here on the lower ground, marked with two oval and one round dig in. Ceramics found in the vicinity, is hand made and is generally dated from the second half of I mil. In the northern periphery of the cirque, at the lower Polezhansko lake at the foot of Mangar Tepe peak / peak Polezhan was imposing in its size stone throne. It is precisely oriented to the west. Around it on a large stone blocks were observed round-sacrificial pits. Ceramic material found consists of hand made Thracian pottery, dating from the I mil. Before. Christ and a few snippets of late ceramics. Just before the stone throne outbreaks are operating until the middle of the XIX century. Here are offer a sacrifice rams. Legendary data in traditional religious practices were supported by worshipers - Christians and Muslims from all southeast part of the Balkan Peninsula. Pilgrims came to the belief that, like their fathers and ancestors become "pilgrims." A fact which suggests a particularly important religious center, left a lasting trace in memory and traditional religious activities. His home, as unambiguously indicate archaeological materials and ancient traces in rich legendary material should be sought in the Thracian antiquity (Markov, V. Cultural heritage and continuity. Heritage of holy places in the Bulgarian folk culture. Blagoevgrad: UI Rilsky Neofit , 2007).

Cirque