thracian cult complex

This is an absolutely amazing place to go to. After visiting Perperikon (another ancient Thracian sacred place only 42 km away from here), we came to this complex and were stunned by what we saw. The easiest way to get there is by car. There is a car park where you can leave the car and then a small alleyway takes you to the sanctuary. The village of Tatul itself is a quiet place with a population of 189 people only. We met two local men; one of them was sweeping the street that leads to the Thracian complex. This sanctuary that reveals to your eyes is one of the most imposing megalithic monuments discovered on the territory of Bulgaria, and as such, one of the unique monuments in Europe. The sanctuary is a massive rock structure and its top is a truncated pyramid. There are two tombs hewn into the rock on the top of the hill and eight stairs in the rock that lead to them. The Tatul Sanctuary existed as early as 15-16 BC. The main part was constructed in the Late Bronze Age (between the 7th and 9th century BC). Besides being a sacrificial sanctuary, Tatul was probably a site for observation of the Sun. The Thracians were known for their extensive knowledge of astronomy. According to the Greek chroniclers, the Thracian priests knew 500 stars by their names and synchronized their calendar with the movement of the heavenly bodies. The place is also called The Sanctuary of Orpheus, the legendary Thracian singer and musician. Legend has it that this is the tomb of Orpheus. While sitting on the rocks you get the feeling the place is sacred and blessed. It is of great historical significance and it is one of those places in the world that makes us think about the people who inhabited those lands for centuries before us. The place also makes us admire the technical advancement with which these civilizations built these facilities which remain strong and stable for millennia. There is one special event that happens once a year during the winter solstice: this is the consistent passage of a sunbeam through a particular gap in the rocks.We left the place not only with many memories taken with our camera. We also felt spiritualized.

This is an absolutely amazing place to go to. After visiting Perperikon (another ancient Thracian sacred place only 42 km away from here), we came to this complex and were stunned by what we saw. The easiest way to get there is by car. There is a car park where you can leave the car and then a small alleyway takes you to the sanctuary. The village of Tatul itself is a quiet place with a population of 189 people only. We met two local men; one of them was sweeping the street that leads to the Thracian complex. This sanctuary that reveals to your eyes is one of the most imposing megalithic monuments discovered on the territory of Bulgaria, and as such, one of the unique monuments in Europe. The sanctuary is a massive rock structure and its top is a truncated pyramid. There are two tombs hewn into the rock on the top of the hill and eight stairs in the rock that lead to them. The Tatul Sanctuary existed as early as 15-16 BC. The main part was constructed in the Late Bronze Age (between the 7th and 9th century BC). Besides being a sacrificial sanctuary, Tatul was probably a site for observation of the Sun. The Thracians were known for their extensive knowledge of astronomy. According to the Greek chroniclers, the Thracian priests knew 500 stars by their names and synchronized their calendar with the movement of the heavenly bodies. The place is also called The Sanctuary of Orpheus, the legendary Thracian singer and musician. Legend has it that this is the tomb of Orpheus. While sitting on the rocks you get the feeling the place is sacred and blessed. It is of great historical significance and it is one of those places in the world that makes us think about the people who inhabited those lands for centuries before us. The place also makes us admire the technical advancement with which these civilizations built these facilities which remain strong and stable for millennia. There is one special event that happens once a year during the winter solstice: this is the consistent passage of a sunbeam through a particular gap in the rocks.We left the place not only with many memories taken with our camera. We also felt spiritualized.