"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. And the watchtowers rose even more imposingly and, with their 16-metre height, reliably guarded the road.
In the 4th century the fortress was abandoned due to the Gothic invasions and was never rebuilt. However, its ruins remain visible and are the subject of archaeological research today. The fortress is easily accessible - on the road from Lovech to Troyan is the village of Lomets, and there is a sign on the road indicating a dirt road about 100 meters long leading right to Sostra.
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. And the watchtowers rose even more imposingly and, with their 16-metre height, reliably guarded the road.
In the 4th century the fortress was abandoned due to the Gothic invasions and was never rebuilt. However, its ruins remain visible and are the subject of archaeological research today. The fortress is easily accessible - on the road from Lovech to Troyan is the village of Lomets, and there is a sign on the road indicating a dirt road about 100 meters long leading right to Sostra.
