WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

Thu, 03/01/2007 - 14:44

Go to Yambol, in southeastern Bulgaria, climb up the unusual looking hill, stand at the intersection of two rock-hewn gullies and arm yourself with plenty of imagination. If you are lucky, you will see a relief of Artemis sitting on a lion and holding two torches in her hands.

where in bulgaria are you 6.jpg
© Anthony Georgieff

If your mind is more logical, however, what you will see is the beautiful view of the Tunzdha valley to the south and the Sliven part of the Balkan range to the north. The whole of Yambol will be at your feet.Archaeologists claim that you are in the middle of a Thracian sanctuary and an astronomical observatory at least 3,000 years old.

You will still need plenty of imagination to picture what the ancient town at the bottom of the hill used to look like. In Roman times it was a major economic centre and the headquarters of a whole legion. Putting the correct stress in the name of the hill and the eponymous village nearby has been the subject of amusing debates between historians and the locals, but you are bound to find it without even knowing it: from the Sofia road it looks like a reclining jackrabbit.

Where in Bulgaria are you?

Issue 6

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