The Thracian Cult complex

There are many cultural and historical monuments related to Thracians in the Eastern Rhodopes - the remains of Thracian settlements, forts, tombs, shrines, etc..One of the largest megalithic Thracian religious complexes in the Eastern Rhodopes is to be found in the Kovan-Kaya area near the village of Dolno Cherkovishte. More than 100 trapezoidal niches were cut there in the sheer cliffs of the volcanic massif at impressive causing dizziness heights. It is believed that these niches were used for burial purposes and the urns containing the ashes of the cremated dead were placed there. In addition to the niches, a cave–like tomb was cut in the in the rock massif. The archaeologists from the Regional Historical Museum - Haskovo believe that the religious burial complex is directly related to the Thracian settlements, castles, cemeteries and shrines located in the agricultural lands of the villages Dolno Cherkovishte, Pchelari and Oreshari (the latter is located on the right bank of the river Arda). About 500 meters northwest of the village of Dolno Cherkovishte another six religious niches were cut in the southern vertical steep wall of the big rock dominating over the area. On top of the massive array another tomb was carved and traces of a large Thracian settlement were also found in close proximity to that latter tomb.