ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Excavations resumed at the Thracian sanctuary after a 15-year hiatus

Archaeologists unearth large cult complex near the grave of Orpheus by the village of Tatul

The Thracian sanctuary of Orpheus near the village of Tatul.
Photo: Anelia Kryndeva

After a 15-year hiatus, excavations have resumed at the Thracian sanctuary of Orpheus near the village of Tatul. They were financed by the municipality of Momchilgrad with 11 250 euros, reports BNR-Kardzhali. 

"The site near Tatul has been functioning since ancient times. Over the years, we have managed to explore the part located around a large rock with a carved sarcophagus," said archaeologist Nikolai Ovcharov, who led the research. He noted that the great Bulgarian archaeologist prof. Ivan Venedikov had a hypothesis that this was the grave of Orpheus, which was later proven during the excavations.
Nikolay Ovcharov (left) and his team have resumed excavations of the Thracian sanctuary of Orpheus near the village of Tatul.
Currently, the expedition is exploring a hill a hundred meters from the rock tomb of Orpheus. According to one testimony from the early 20th century, there were remains of a medieval church there. Today, archaeologists came across walls that testify to the presence of a large cult complex. In the course of the excavation they will be able to better estimate its size.

Every year tens of thousands of tourists visit the historic site associated with the name of the mythical Orpheus. 

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria History and religion    archaeology cult complex excavations Nikolai Ovcharov Orpheus Tatul Thracian site

More from category

Bronze statuette of a goddess from the Greco-Roman pantheon discovered on Kaliakra

An archaeological expedition led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boni Petrunova – Director of the National Museum of History, discovered a massive bronze statuette of a goddess from the Greco-Roman pantheon. The artifact was found in residential premises in the..

published on 8/26/25 6:10 AM

Archaeologists uncover 13 ancient graves in central Sofia

13 ancient graves were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted on the premises of the National Academy of Art in Sofia.  The excavation is led by archaeologist Elena Nikolova from the Regional History Museum. The excavations began on..

published on 8/22/25 9:44 AM
Trapezitsa Hill in Veliko Tarnovo

The Trapezitsa Hill in Veliko Tarnovo preserves the spirit of medieval Bulgaria

Trapezitsa is one of the three hills for which the old Bulgarian capital, Tarnovgrad (the medieval name of today’s Veliko Tarnovo), is famous . Located to the northwest of the town, it stands across from the neighboring hill Tsarevets – the..

published on 8/20/25 2:30 PM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 17
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 16
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 16
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 0 | Max: 15
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 14
Partly Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 16
Partly Cloudy
Min: 0 | Max: 15
Partly Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 15
Partly Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 18
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 0 | Max: 17
Partly Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 15
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 15
Partly Cloudy
Min: 3 | Max: 16
Partly Cloudy
Min: -1 | Max: 14
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 16
Partly Cloudy
Min: 4 | Max: 17
Partly Cloudy
Min: 3 | Max: 14
Partly Cloudy
Min: 3 | Max: 16
Partly Cloudy
Min: 3 | Max: 15
Clear
Min: 4 | Max: 17
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 14
Partly Cloudy
Min: 0 | Max: 15
Partly Cloudy
Min: 4 | Max: 17
Partly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 14
Partly Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 17
Partly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 15
Clear
Min: 5 | Max: 17
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

Father Genadiy from Artsyz: Bulgaria is the root of my heart and my blood

Father Genadiy Martinov is a Bessarabian Bulgarian, born in the village of Devetliy, Odessa province (Ukraine). Two centuries ago, his family lived in..

published on 10/18/25 7:15 AM

St John of Rila – the Miracle-Worker of the Rila Wilderness

On 19 October, Bulgarians commemorate St Ivan Rilski, also known as St John of Rila, who is considered the country’s heavenly protector. He founded the..

published on 10/19/25 7:30 AM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"