A forgotten fortified city hidden in the forests of Sredna Gora
Deep in the forests of Bulgaria’s Sredna Gora mountain lies one of the region’s most mysterious and least-known historical sites – The Red City Fortress, also known locally as Kaleto. Today, the hill is almost completely covered by trees and dense vegetation, but beneath the forest floor rest the remains of what was once a large fortified city, carefully built with stone and brick and strategically positioned to control ancient routes through the mountains.
📍 Location and Access
The Red City Fortress is located in the area known as “Cherveniya Grad”, approximately 3.5 km southeast (as the crow flies) from the village of Borimechkovo, in the heart of Sredna Gora.
⚠️ Important access note:
There are no established access routes from the east or west. These slopes are steep, heavily overgrown, and difficult to traverse.
The most logical and safest approach is from the north, where the terrain allows access to the foothill and a gradual ascent on foot.
At a distance of roughly 3 km from the fortress lies the Roman (Old) Bridge near Lesichevo, further indicating that this area once played an important role in ancient transportation and military control between Thrace, Sredna Gora, and Northern Bulgaria.
🏛 History of the Red City
The Red City is known as a Thracian, Late Antique, and Medieval fortress, far larger and more complex than a typical hilltop stronghold.
The fortification has an elliptical shape, measuring approximately:
- 310 meters east–west
- 150 meters north–south
The defensive walls were built from locally quarried stone, bonded with mortar, and reached a thickness of up to 1.7 meters. Today, most of the walls are destroyed down to their foundations, except for a section on the southeastern side, where parts of the wall still stand 2–3 meters high on the exterior.
Traces of a defensive ditch are visible on the western side, indicating a well-planned fortification system.
🧱 A City Built of Red Stone
Historical observations and local research suggest that the fortress was once a fully developed city, not just a military outpost. The name “Red City” comes from the extensive use of red stone and brick in its construction.
Archaeological traces and surface finds in the area include:
- ceramic fragments and household vessels
- large storage jars (pithoi)
- decorated clay plates and tiles
- coins dating from the reigns of Constantine the Great, Justinian I, and Philip II of Macedon
Burned and blackened stones across the site strongly suggest that the city was destroyed by fire, likely during a violent military event.
⚡ My Winter Ride and Ascent to the Fortress
Despite it being January, the weather was relatively warm, though the ground was muddy. I set off from Bata village on a Sur-Ron electric bike, heading south through forest roads. The ride to the foothill of the fortress took about 50 minutes, following scenic and quiet woodland trails.
On the northern side of the hill, I reached an open field without forest cover, which provided a perfect spot to launch my drone. From the air, it became clear that only one viable access route exists, starting exactly from this open area and leading toward the fortress from the north.
No visible paths or roads appeared on the eastern or western slopes.
While flying the drone, I witnessed an unforgettable scene: two deer running through the forest, followed at a distance by two dark shapes, likely hunting dogs. Shortly after, another deer emerged directly from the direction of the fortress, paused briefly upon seeing me, and then fled westward across the field.
After completing the aerial survey, I followed the narrow northern path upward. Initially manageable, the trail gradually narrowed as it climbed higher. There were no vehicle tracks, only signs of wildlife. Interestingly, no large trees grow directly on this path, suggesting it may follow an ancient route used centuries ago.
I left the bike near the upper section and continued on foot. Within minutes, stone piles, collapsed walls, and building foundations began to appear. The Red City itself is now completely ruined, and unfortunately, traces of illegal excavations can be seen in several areas.
Despite this, the atmosphere is powerful – silent, remote, and filled with the sense of a once-great city now reclaimed by nature.
🏞 The Red City Today
Today, the fortress is:
- heavily overgrown
- largely unknown to the public
- lacking tourist infrastructure
Yet this is exactly what makes it special – a wild, untouched historical site, offering a rare combination of adventure, nature, and history.
⚡ Ideal Route for a 2-Hour Adventure Tour
The journey to the Red City is perfect for a 2-hour adventure tour, combining:
- forest riding
- wildlife encounters
- short hiking sections
- a strong historical narrative
👉 This route naturally fits into our
2-hour Sur-Ron adventure tour in Sredna Gora, focused on hidden places and authentic exploration.
