This researched article is available in English and български.
Gradishte at Vratsata
An ancient settlement and medieval fortress by the gorge illuminate the history of Vratitsa.
Open and enlarge photographPhoto: Лили Маркова · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized proportionally to a maximum of 960 px and converted to WebP; no crop or scene edits.
The story of this place
Gradishte lies beside Vratsata Gorge, west of modern Vratsa. Excavations in 2007–2011 uncovered parts of an ancient settlement and medieval fortress together with an Early Christian basilica. Jewellery finds help place the church in the early sixth century. The area also yielded a fragmented stone inscription discovered in a natural cave in 1941. It records a donation by Tsar Michael II Asen to a royal monastery in Vratitsa or its surroundings. The architectural remains and written monument provide different, complementary kinds of evidence for settlement, worship and royal patronage around the strategic gorge.
What the evidence shows
- Excavation revealed an Early Christian basilica about 18 metres long.
- The inscription records a donation by Michael II Asen, who ruled in 1246–1256.
Hypotheses and open questions
The inscription does not securely identify the donated monastery with a particular excavated church.
Myths and local traditions
The sources consulted do not document a reliable local tradition. We do not invent legends to fill the gap.
Sources and verification
These accounts are editorial summaries. The sources below let you check dates, discoveries and interpretations.
- Община Враца: археологически разкопки при Вратцата ↗old.vratza.bg
- РИМ–Враца: Фрагментиран каменен надпис ↗www.vratsamuseum.com