Krivus

Lore & Background

Krivus was constructed in the 10th century on a promontory with steep slopes on the right bank of the Arda River, surrounded on three sides by a meander. The fortress consists of a citadel on the eastern, higher peak, with an irregular shape measuring 21x18 m and an area of 300 m². The citadel's entrance on the northeastern side was protected by a rectangular tower, and the inner part of the fortress enclosed a fractured space 130 m long and up to 24 m wide, with a total enclosed area of about 1,900 m². Water was supplied via an underground tunnel reaching the Arda River below.

Reader's Guide

The Byzantine chronicler George Akropolites recorded that in 1254, Bulgarian emperor Michael II Asen led a successful campaign in the Rhodope Mountains after the region had been lost to the Nicaean Empire. According to Akropolites, the fortresses of Ustra, Perperek, Krivus, and Efraim surrendered to the Bulgarians. The fortress's design, with its citadel blocking access to the rest of the hill and steep slopes preventing bypass, highlights its defensive importance. Today, Krivus is a historical landmark of local importance, accessible via a steep 40-minute path from Bashevo. Its ruins, including remains of a church and towers, offer insight into medieval fortification in the region.

Did You Know?

• Krivus is located on a promontory surrounded from the north, west, and south by a meander of the Arda River.
• The citadel of Krivus has an irregular shape with dimensions of 21x18 m and an area of 300 m².
• The fortress was mentioned by Byzantine chronicler George Akropolites in connection with the 1254 campaign of Bulgarian emperor Michael II Asen.
• Krivus obtained its water supply via an underground tunnel that reached the river Arda below.