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Q. When did research of the fortress start?
A. The fortress has been researched since 2007 as part of a cross-border cooperation project that received EU funding. The project was called Medieval Iakorouda on the Wine Path. This year, we received funding from the National Museum of History and the Culture Ministry. A private sponsor aided research in 2008. This year, we tried to confirm the results of the analysis carried out in the past year.
Q. What facts about the fortress have you discovered?
A. The fortress was built in the 4th and 5th centuries. Two sides of the fortification were uncovered. The inner wall dates back to the 4th and 5th centuries. This year, we fully researched a tower on the northern side of the fortification. Such towers are typical for the late Antiquity, no such construction took place during the Middle Ages. The tower is very small and probably suffered destruction in a fire in the early Byzantine period. The second fortress wall discovered is from the mid-Byzantine period. It was used to expand the residential space inside the fortification. It is too early to tell where the entrance was. In 2009, we will finish researching the northern tower, a triangular premise and two newly discovered residential premises.
We also discovered five Middle Age crosses dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. One of the crosses bears relics inside and has been inscribed in Greek. Professor Elka Bakalova, who researched photos of them, believes that the crosses were created in honor of St. Vlas and St. George. St. George was an honored saint in the region. A church researched 10 years ago was named after him. We also discovered a dish containing charred wheat and a set of earrings dating back to the 11th to 13th centuries.
Q. When will excavations continue?
A. As soon as we have funding available we will continue researching. We expect to discover a Christian sanctuary and other towers. We still have doubts concerning the plan of the fortification.
Q. Do you believe that the site could be turned into a tourism landmark?
A. Yes, the potential to do that is huge. Iakorouda is situated three km away and a path is available. The resorts of Bansko and Treshtenik are also situated nearby. Bulgarska Pamet foundation will try to popularize the site and will set up some facilities for tourists among which rest spots and shelters. I also hope for municipal support. Management of the national museum of archaeology will also do its best to preserve monuments of culture. Culture Ministry will continue funding conservation works.
Q. How did you discover the crosses?
A. It happened accidentally. At the very surface of our newest research area we discovered the crosses making use of a metal detector. My colleague Plamen Ivanov is responsible for the discovery.
Q. Do archaeologists know of other interesting sites situated nearby?
A. During our final day of research, locals told us about ceramic dishes discovered west of the fortress. We discovered no signs of ceramic dishes, since too many plants grow in the area but probably research will be carried out during the spring.
Another fortress appears nearby. Locals call it Gradishte. It is actually a fortress and a settlement altogether. It is preserved but also covered in greenery. The fortress is located in Rila, while Kaliata fortress is located in the Rhodopes. This second fortress is seven to eight km away from Iakorouda and accessing it is more difficult.
Q. Why is Kaliata fortress so unpopular?
A. Iakorouda lacks a museum popularizing the findings made in the region. Probably one of the reasons is the distance of major towns from the site. Iakorouda residents themselves show great interest in our work.
Q. How important was the fortress?
A. It was a military and strategic center. The fortress acted as a border point that was used for the observation of Mesta River and the path leading to the Aegean region. It was probably used later on to shelter residents of the nearby settlement.
Q. How preserved is this site?
A. We discovered two rows of bricks from the eastern wall. One of the inner walls has been fortified three times due to the slope. Assaults and the nature of the terrain led to significant devastation of the fortification.
Q. When will you continue working there?
A. I hope that work continues next year, as long as we continue receiving Culture Ministry support. I am uncertain whether the new ministers, selected after the parliamentary elections, will continue the project. I also hope that Iakorouda municipality will be more active. This year, it worked on the road, as well as on a shelter near the fortress.
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