The little-known Petrich Kale Fortress near the village of Razdelna, Avren Municipality, has been hiding secrets from the 5-6th century. Then for the first time the walls of the kale were erected. Today, enthusiastic tourists can stroll along its nearly 7-meter-high retaining walls, take pictures of its towering towers, and descend a steep staircase to its reservoir.
However, before enjoying the panorama that opens from the top of the fortress and the remains of a church and apartment buildings, tourists will have to work a little harder. Because the only way to the fortress is by foot, and the kale, like most inaccessible fortresses, is built on a steep barrier. On the other hand, the trail passes through a picturesque forest and the path is not that hard. The climb takes from 20 minutes to an hour, according to your physical condition.
In fact, if you follow the GPS you will be tempted to get to the very top of Petrich Kale by car. But you will be surprised, since the relatively easy road actually ends with a fence of a private object that conveniently enclosed the road built by the municipality or the state. Therefore, it is better to park on the makeshift extension near the high electrical pole with a hand-made signpost attached to it pointing the path to Petrich kale. Take the upper or right path and continue boldly forward.
Shortly before the fortress, you will come to a wire fence with small flags hung. Boldly jump over the fence, which apparently protects the local cows, but also shows the route to the tourists’ kale and in minutes will reach the first of the two preserved Petrich Kale towers. At the top of the fort you will also see a metal cross, which was erected as a memento of the 2015 flood and begging for protection so that the disaster does not recur.
The fortress was used both in the first and second Bulgarian states. In the 12th century, Arab traveler Mohammed al-Idrissi described Petrich kale as a large and beautiful city. In the 14th century the fortress was conquered by the Ottomans, and a little later during the crusade of Vladislav Varnenchik it was destroyed.
