Asenova Krepost (Asen’s fortress)

If you have already explored Plovdiv and are looking for another fascinating destination nearby, we strongly recommend visiting Asen’s Fortress (Asenova Krepost / „Асенова крепост”).

History and Location of Asen’s Fortress

This impressive medieval site is perched on a high rocky ridge in the Rhodope Mountains, overlooking the Asenitsa River. It lies about 2–3 km south of Asenovgrad (often called “the town of Asen”) and around 20 km south of Plovdiv.

The original fortifications date back to the 6th century, during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great.

A stone inscription reveals that in 1230 Tsar Ivan Asen II rebuilt and strengthened the fortress after his victory at the Battle of Klokotnitsa. Over the centuries, the site was also known as “Stanimahos” (Станимахос) or “Petrich.” “Stanimaka” was the old name of Asenovgrad.

According to a local legend, during an invasion of the fortress, the ruler found his mother cooking fish. He told her that if the fish were to come back to life, the attackers would capture them. Miraculously, the fish revived. Seeing this, the ruler exclaimed, “Стани, майко, да бягаме!” (“Get up, mother, let’s run!”). From this phrase, people say, came the name Stanimahos.

Opening Hours

Monday – Sunday

09:00 – 18:00 (Winter season)
09:00 – 18:00 (Spring–Autumn season)
09:00 – 20:00 (Summer season) – on Fridays and Saturdays open until 22:00

Entrance Fees for the Architectural and Historical Reserve “Asen’s Fortress”

• Adults – €4.09 / 8 BGN
• School pupils, university students, and пенсионers – €2.56 / 5 BGN
• Organized groups (over 10 people) – €3.07 / 6 BGN per person
• Families (parents with children under 7 years old) – €7.67 / 15 BGN
• Visitors with disabilities (upon presentation of a valid document) – €1.53 / 3 BGN

Guided Tours at “Asen’s Fortress”

• Standard guided tour – €7.67 / 15 BGN
• Specialized thematic tour – €14.83 / 20 BGN
• Guided tour in a foreign language – €19.94 / 30 BGN

Contact phone number: +359 884 44 62 56

GPS Coordinates: 41.986466, 24.872957

How to Get to Asen’s Fortress

There are several ways to reach the fortress from Plovdiv, depending on your preferred mode of transport.

By Car

Take the boulevard Asenovgradsko Shose (“Асеновградско шосе”). If you have trouble locating it, you can use Yug (South) Bus Station as a reference point.

Follow Asenovgradsko Shose southeast until you leave the city. The road merges with Road No. 86, which connects Plovdiv and Asenovgrad. Continue straight for about 10–15 minutes until you reach Asenovgrad.

Drive through the town and continue south. Once you leave the urban area, you will see the fortress rising on the rocky hill above the road. Turn right onto the winding road marked with a sign reading “Асенова крепост” (Asen’s Fortress). After approximately 2.5 km, you will reach the site.

By Bus

To reach the fortress by public transport, you first need to travel to Asenovgrad.

Buses from Plovdiv to Asenovgrad depart from Yug (South) Bus Station, located at 47 Hristo Botev Blvd.
Phone: +359 32 626 937

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or directly from the driver.

Bus Schedule:

Workdays:
Weekends and holidays:

Ticket price:

Train Schedule:

Another way to reach Asenovgrad is by taking a passenger train. The railway station in Plovdiv is situated near  Bus Station “South”.

The trip is about 25 minutes long.
Ticket price: adults: 1.30 lv for 2nd class and 1.70 lv for 1st class; children: 0.90 lv – 1st class/2nd  class.
Schedule: 04:52; 06:00; 06:32; 07:30; 08:30; 09:30; 11:30; 12:32; 13:30; 14:30; 15:30; 16:30; 17:30; 18:30; 19:30; 20:30; 22:30.

The Railway Station in Asenovgrad is next to the Bus Station.

Once you reach Asenovgrad you have to walk to the fortress. The distance is 3 km.  

For more interesting and informative articles – visit Free Plovdiv Tour’s blog