Patmos fortress
Type: Fortress
Location: Municipality Ardino »
In Bulgarian: Крепост Патмос »
The fortress Patmos is located on the territory of the municipality of Ardino, which is situated in southern Bulgaria, on the boundary of the west and east part of Rhodopi mountains. The fortress can be seen on the left bank of Borovitsa River, on a rocky peninsula. This fortress is bigger than the fortress Krivus, which is located quite near. Most likely, the fortress was built in X century.
The fortress Patmos can be reached through the river, crossing it by boat. The distance from the river bank to the fortress is about 20 minutes walking. There is also another way from where the fortress can be reached, but it is much more walking.
The path is leading to the west side of the fortress, which is the best preserved part of the fortress with two battle towers. The northern side of the fortress used to be smaller and was built only in places from where there was a possibility for access. Otherwise the terrain is naturally inaccessible. The eastern and the southern sides of the fortress are natural cliffs with height of 15-20 meters.
There is quite preserved basilica with a nave and two aisles inside the fortress and a tower built exactly next to it.
The fortress Patmos can be reached through the river, crossing it by boat. The distance from the river bank to the fortress is about 20 minutes walking. There is also another way from where the fortress can be reached, but it is much more walking.
The path is leading to the west side of the fortress, which is the best preserved part of the fortress with two battle towers. The northern side of the fortress used to be smaller and was built only in places from where there was a possibility for access. Otherwise the terrain is naturally inaccessible. The eastern and the southern sides of the fortress are natural cliffs with height of 15-20 meters.
There is quite preserved basilica with a nave and two aisles inside the fortress and a tower built exactly next to it.
