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Perperikon ["the European Machu Picchu"]
Atlas Obscura ^ | some years ago | Added By kalaza

Posted on 11/07/2025 10:11:01 PM PST by SunkenCiv

Of all the ancient cultures, the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Thracians are some of the most mysterious. Seen by the Greeks as great warriors -- as well as barbarians -- the Thracians had no written language, and left behind little in the way of monumental architecture.

However, this didn't mean they weren't good craftsmen, and the Thracians who ruled an area from the Balkans to Bulgaria and Hungary, were expert metal workers making exquisitely crafted jewelry. In Homer's Illiad he describes a Thracian chariot as "like no war-gear of men but of immortals."

But despite the fact that they were numerous -- Herodotus called them the second most peopled group in the world after the Indians -- it is believed they mostly lived in villages and were not city builders...

Perperikon (also Perpericon) is the largest megalithic archeological site in the Balkans, and currently being unearthed by Prof. Nikolai Ovcharov, known as the Bulgarian Indiana Jones. It sits on a high, rocky hill some 15 kilometers to the north of the present-day town of Kardzhali in Bulgaria.

While the first traces of civilization at Perperikon go back to 5000 B.C. what is of most interest to archeologists is the more recent (1500 B.C.), and only known example, of a huge Thracian city called "the European Machu Picchu" or the "Stone Pompeii."

(Excerpt) Read more at atlasobscura.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: atlasobscura; bulgaria; godsgravesglyphs; herodotus; megaliths; perperikon; thracians

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Join us on an extraordinary journey as we uncover the secrets of Perperikon, an ancient city nestled in Bulgaria's Rodopi Mountains, often compared to Machu Picchu. From the stunning natural landscapes to the rich historical significance, this video takes you through our adventures as retirees who have made Bulgaria their home. Discover the unique stone formations, learn about the local culture, and get a glimpse into the tranquil life of expats in this beautiful European country. 
European Machu Picchu: Off the Beaten Path | 12:20 
BZ Travel – Unfiltered Journeys | 15.9K subscribers | 2,130 views | November 22, 2023
European Machu Picchu: Off the Beaten Path | 12:20 | BZ Travel – Unfiltered Journeys | 15.9K subscribers | 2,130 views | November 22, 2023 
00:00 - Introduction to Perperikon 
01:00 - The Journey Begins: Heading to Perperikon 
02:00 - Exploring the Rodopi Mountains 
03:00 - First Impressions of Perperikon 
04:00 - Meeting Expats in Bulgaria 
05:00 - The Stone Mushrooms: A Natural Wonder 
06:00 - Delving into the History of Perperikon 
07:00 - The Oracle of Dionysus and Ancient Prophecies 
08:00 - Architectural Marvels of Perperikon 
09:00 - Modern Developments in the Ancient City 
10:00 - The Local Lifestyle: From City to Village 
11:00 - A Glimpse into Bulgarian Retirement Life 
12:00 - The King's Yacht Turned Restaurant 
13:00 - The Richness of Bulgarian Nature and Cuisine 
14:00 - Conclusion: Reflections on Our Journey

1 posted on 11/07/2025 10:11:01 PM PST by SunkenCiv
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...

2 posted on 11/07/2025 10:11:47 PM PST by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Gonna watch this


3 posted on 11/08/2025 12:03:44 AM PST by Callnote (Stacking sats, don’t have time to explain, study it for your self !)
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To: SunkenCiv

slide show - click on the leftmost overhead site view

https://www.google.com/search?q=Perperikon&oq=Perperikon&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg90gEMMTEyNDQzOTRqMGo0qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lpg=cid:CgIgAQ%3D%3D,ik:CAoSLEFGMVFpcE5uRlI2c2QzdlUzNGZjalpWRmNFMW5iR3A4Z2xSNU5tQ3hHUjFB


4 posted on 11/08/2025 1:09:17 AM PST by kiryandil (No one in AZ that voted for Trump voted for Gallego )
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To: SunkenCiv

https://www.google.com/maps?ll=41.714722,25.465278&q=41.714722,25.465278&hl=en&t=m&z=15


5 posted on 11/08/2025 1:17:00 AM PST by kiryandil (No one in AZ that voted for Trump voted for Gallego )
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To: gundog; Kenny Bania; Larry Lucido

Ooh, Machu Picchu

I’m J. Pennypacker

I’m a wealthy industrialist

Are these chips free?

No wonder we’ve been getting so much rain 🌧️🌧️🌧️☔☔


6 posted on 11/08/2025 1:51:17 AM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: plangent

Ping


7 posted on 11/08/2025 2:55:20 AM PST by plangent
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To: SunkenCiv

bookmark


8 posted on 11/08/2025 7:03:28 AM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: SaveFerris
"Stone Pompeii."

I didn't know the Stones played there. I hear Pink Floyd did, though.


9 posted on 11/08/2025 8:20:13 AM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait.)
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To: SunkenCiv
Prof. Nikolai Ovcharov, known as the Bulgarian Indiana Jones.

He would have been better than Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Maybe better than Harrison Ford.

10 posted on 11/08/2025 8:55:06 AM PST by x
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To: SunkenCiv

More like Machu Picchu, or more like Great Zimbabwe?


11 posted on 11/08/2025 8:57:24 AM PST by x
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To: x
Wow, I didn't know the fifth one came out. The 4th one was such a train wreck -- as is partisan nitwit Harrison Ford -- that I have no interest in seeing it.

12 posted on 11/08/2025 8:57:34 AM PST by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: x

Holy crud, what a mess:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Dial_of_Destiny


13 posted on 11/08/2025 9:01:43 AM PST by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: x
Great Zimbab Way... great name for a boulevarded thoroughfare.

14 posted on 11/08/2025 9:02:56 AM PST by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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