Fortress in Koychovo Kale area
At Koychoiv kamak peak (930 meters above sea level) in the area of Koychovo Kale (7 km. Northwest of the town of Panagiurishte) are located remains of an Early-Byzantine fortress. It was founded in V century and was a part of the defense system in the region of the Sredna gora Mountain.
The remains of the castle were first discovered in 1993. During archaeological excavations were revealed the entire northern wall, which was approximately 45 meters long and 30 meters high. The fortress was elongated in shape with dimensions 135x45 meters and total area of 5.5 square meters. There were examined also six buildings, a pottery kiln and the fortress gate. The gate was located in the northwestern corner and was 2.70 m in width. After the entrance there was a corridor with length of 3.40 m.
The castle was quite important and with strategic position, because it was the period of the Great Migration. It was protected important military roads.
The Fort was in the shape of a horseshoe, which made it possible to control both - the way in the area "Vran Kamak", the road that passed through Zlatitsa field and an important military camp, which was located on the Mount Sakardzha. This military camp was one of the largest on the Balkans and was able to hold up to 80 thousand soldiers.
The existence of the fortress is till XI century, when it was destroyed during the Western Bulgarian State of Samuel and the Byzantine Empire under the rule of Basil II and John Tsimishi.
