Kovachevsko kale
Roman fortified city with a massive granary and triangular walls.
Kovachevsko kale (Bulgarian: Ковачевско кале) is a Roman city situated 6 kilometers west of the Bulgarian town of Popovo. Its name comes from the nearby village of Kovachevets (formerly Kovachovets), as noted by Czech archaeologist Karel Škorpil. The site is known for its imposing defensive walls, which form a roughly triangular shape and surround an area of over 40 hectares. These stone walls, 3.20 meters thick, are reinforced with 17 U-shaped towers and feature two gates—one on the west side and another to the northeast. The city sits on flat ground, naturally shielded by rivers.
Construction of the walls took place between 308 and 324 AD, during the joint rule of Roman Emperors Constantine I the Great and Licinius, more than three decades after the Gothic Wars of 250–269. The city was burned during the Second Gothic War of 376–382 AD. It was slowly rebuilt until around 447 AD, when Attila the Hun invaded. It was ultimately destroyed by Slavs and Avars in the 580s.
Recent excavations by Veliko Tarnovo University “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” have uncovered a large 4th-century Roman building inside the walls, likely a horreum (granary). Though not fully exposed, it measured over 60 meters by 25 meters, with a massive double door 2.4 meters wide. Its walls were 1.3 meters thick, reinforced with external buttresses, and the structure had two stories and a basement, built using opus mixtum. The granary was looted and set on fire around 378 AD, probably by Goths. An underground aqueduct, made of clay pipes, brought drinking water to the fortress from Kalakoch hill, descending from the northwest over several kilometers.
- Location
- 6 km west of Popovo, Bulgaria
- Period
- 308–324 AD (construction)
- Area
- more than 40 hectares
- Wall thickness
- 3.20 m
- Towers
- 17 U-shaped towers
- Gates
- two (west and northeast)
- Known for
- massive defensive walls and a large 4th-century granary
Lore & Background
The city was set on fire in the Second Gothic War of 376–382 AD. It was slowly restored until the invasion of Attila the Hun around 447 AD, and finally destroyed by the Slavs and Avars in the 580s. Recent excavations by Veliko Tarnovo University revealed a huge Roman building from the 4th century AD within the walls, identified as a horreum (granary). It measured over 60 m by 25 m, had a massive double door 2.4 m wide, walls 1.3 m thick reinforced with external buttresses, two stories, a basement, and was constructed with opus mixtum. The granary was plundered and set on fire around 378 AD, probably by the Goths.
Reader's Guide
Kovachevsko kale is significant as a well-preserved example of late Roman military and economic infrastructure in the Balkans. Its massive triangular walls, built during the joint reign of Constantine I and Licinius, reflect the empire's response to Gothic incursions. The discovery of a large 4th-century granary (horreum) indicates the city's role as a storage and supply center. The granary's destruction around 378 AD aligns with the Gothic Wars, and the city's eventual fall to Slavs and Avars in the 580s marks the end of Roman control in the region. The site also features an underground aqueduct built of clay pipes, supplying water from Kalakoch hill. Its legacy lies in illustrating the transition from Roman to early medieval periods in the area.
Did You Know?
- The city's walls are 3.20 m thick and fortified with 17 U-shaped towers.
- The granary measured over 60 m by 25 m and had a massive double door 2.4 m wide.
- An underground aqueduct built of clay pipes supplied drinking water from Kalakoch hill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kovachevsko kale?
Kovachevsko kale is a Roman fortified city from the early 4th century, named after the nearby village of Kovachevets. It encloses more than 40 hectares within massive triangular stone walls and includes a large granary, making it one of the region's most substantial Roman settlements.
Where is Kovachevsko kale located?
The site sits on flat ground roughly six kilometers west of the Bulgarian town of Popovo. Rivers on either side provide a natural defensive barrier in addition to the built fortifications.
What do Kovachevsko kale's walls and towers look like?
The 3.20-meter-thick stone walls form a roughly triangular perimeter and are reinforced by 17 U-shaped towers. Two gates break the circuit: one on the western face and another on the northeast side.
When was Kovachevsko kale built?
Construction took place between 308 and 324 AD, placing the city squarely in the early 4th century of Roman occupation in the area.
Why is Kovachevsko kale considered significant?
Its sheer scale—over 40 hectares of enclosed space with 3.20-meter-thick walls—makes it a standout example of Roman military engineering in Bulgaria. Czech archaeologist Karel Škorpil was among the early scholars to document the site and link its name to the village of Kovachevets.
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