"Sostra" Fortress
Sostra Fortress is a Roman military camp located in the Troyan Balkans, about 12 km north of the town of Troyan. It was built in the middle of the 2nd century - more precisely around 147 AD, during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius. The fortress was originally intended as an aid station for the Roman legions stationed in the province of Thrace. In the following centuries, however, it underwent significant changes and improvements, becoming an important military and administrative center. Sostra includes various elements of Roman architecture, such as baths, barracks, warehouses and officers' quarters. The most iconic structure in the fortress is the legion headquarters, which is well preserved and shows the sophisticated engineering skills of the Romans. The fortress walls, preserved to this day, remind us of the majestic dimensions of the castle - its interior is an 11-meter wall puzzle. [...]
"Ustra" Fortress
"Ustra" Fortress is located in The Rhodopes Mountain, near the village of Ustren. It was built in the 10th century. It is located at 1114 m above sea level. Part of the towers can be seen. The fortress walls reach up to 8 m high in places. The fortress itself can be reached by a dirt road that starts before entering the village of Ustren, if you are coming from Dzhebel. The road continues for about 2 km and leads to the former hut "Ustra", which is now a guest house. From there it is about 20 minutes to the fortress. [...]
