MUNICIPATITY PESHTERA

The project “Conservation, restoration and exploitation of antique and medieval fortress “Peristera”, located on Sveta Petka hill, Peshtera town” is developed according to the operation program “Region development 2007 – 2013”, “Contract for granted financial help BG161PO001/3.1.-03/2010/039, Scheme for providing of granted financial help: BG161PO001/3.1.-03/2010 “Development of natural, cultural and historical attractions support”, beneficiary Peshtera municipality. 

The project is directed to the realization of:

• Reconstruction of the citadel of the fortress and design of the place as cultural and archeological park; 

• Socialization of the surrounding areas by the construction of two passes to the fortress – one on the North-Western and second on the South-Eastern side. 

• Exposure of the subjects, found in the excavations – golden and bronze coins, fragments of inscriptions, ornaments, marble details of buildings, clay and glass dishes, etc, in outdoor museum; 

• Focus on Peshtera town as center of the most Ancient times by exposure of the historical monument; 

• Attracting of tourists; 

• Increasing of the quality of the tourism services in the touristic attractions by training of specialized stuff and performing of modern marketing and management in the touristic offers. 

• The late antique and medieval fortress “Peristera”, situated in a close proximity to Peshtera town, on the hill Sveta Petka, features unique planning decision of the fortification system – exterior fortress wall and citadel – inside fort with residence of the commandant. On the top of the hill are found remains of megalith sanctuary of Thracian tribe Besi. In 4th century the citadel is built around the sanctuary, on area of 2,9 acres, with 6 defense towers – 3 rectangular, 1 triangle, and two towers, planned as singular ship chapels – the last ones are only towers of this type, found in Bulgaria.   

A legend says that the people of Peshtera have wanted to build a fortress for the glory of God. They didn’t know where to start the construction, so they let pigeons to show them the place. The birds landed on the hill Saint Petka and the construction on this place started immediately. The fortress was named as the bird - pigeon. 

The name Peristera translated from Greek means pigeon, or pigeon place, that’s why the fortress is called as well the fortress of the pigeon. 

The restoration, conservation, adaptation and exposure of the antique and medieval fortress Peristera  activities include:  

• Conservation and restoration of the initial architectural vision of tower 1; 

• Conservation and partial restoration of the church tower. 

• Conservation and restoration of the corner rectangular tower 4; 

• Restoration of the architectural capacities of the rectangular towers 3 and 6 with stone masonry, according to designed model; 

• Recovery of fortress walls, development of new masonry of the fortress wall, performance of shuttering, reinforcement, concrete and drainage works;  

• Performance of hydro insulation works; 

The activities for the completion of the building, restoration and conservation works of the technical and touristic infrastructures include: 

• Restoration of the path for visitors from the East, of the T-formed crossway of Starata Krepost street and Ivan Vazov street; 

• Restoration of an alley, providing access for invalids and parking area; 

• Urbanization of the terrain of the fortress by various trees and soil roofing greenery, in order to develop dendrology park; 

• There is installed artistic lightning system of the fortress and the way to it; 

• There are constructed pavilions and fence wall with controlled access to the citadel; 

Since the completion of the project the antique and medieval fortress Peristera in Peshtera town has become attractive tourism destination. The realization of the project offer contributed to the improvement, renovation and development of the touristic attractions in Peshtera municipality, as well as to its promotion as place with ancient culture. 

Due to the conservation, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction and exposure arrangements of the historical monument the attractiveness and the accessibility of the medieval and antique fortress Peristera have been increased. In 2012 the fortress is announced as cultural monuments of national importance.