Asenova Krepost (Asen’s fortress)

Published by freeplovdivtour at November 5, 2013

Location of Asen’s Fortress (Asenova Krepost)

This fascinating place is seated on a high, rocky ridge in the Rodopi mountain, on the left coast of the Asenitsa river, about 2-3 km south from the little town of Asenovgrad (“the town of Asen”) and 20 km south from Plovdiv. The castle was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great in VI century.

A stone inscription says that in 1230 Ivan Asen the Second rebuilt the fortress after he won the glorious battle near Klokotnitsa.The place is known also as “Stanimahos” (Станимахос) or “Petrich”. “Stanimaka” is the old name of Asenovgrad. A legend explains that long time ago during an invasion of the fortress, the king of that time found his mother cooking fish in the kitchen. He told her that if the fish comes back to life, the attackers will catch them. The fish miraculously revived. When the king saw this he said to his mother ” Стани майко (Станимахос), да бягаме!”, which means “Get up mother, lets run!”.

Did we get you excited about Asen’s fortress?

There are various ways to get there if you start your journey from Plovdiv. Of course, it depends on the transport you prefer.

To Asen’s fortness – Asenova krepost By car:

You take the boulevard called “Asenovgradsko shose ”(„ Асеновградско шосе”). If you have a hard time finding the avenue you can use Bus Station “South” as a reference point.

Traveling to Asen's fortness - Asenova krepost by car

After you take the “Asenovgradsko shose” you drive south-east until you exit the city. The boulevard then unites with road № 86 connecting Plovdiv and Asenovgrad. You drive straight for 10 -15 minutes until you reach the city of Asenovgrad. You don’t change the road and keep driving. Once you exit the town you will see the castle standing on the rocky hill above the road. You take the curvy road on the right. Its beginning is marked by a sign „Асенова крепост” (Asen’s fortress). After 2.5 km you’ll reach the fortress.

By bus to Asen’s fortness – Asenova krepost:

To get to the castle first you have to reach Asenovgrad.

Asenovgrad

The buses from Plovdiv to Asenovgrad depart from bus station “South”. Its address is bul.“Hristo Botev “ № 47. Phone number: 032/626 937
You can buy a ticket either from the ticket office at the station or from the bus driver.

Bus Schedule:

Workdays: 06.50; 07.20; 07.50; 08.20; 08.50; 09.20; 09.50 10.20; 10.50; 11.20; 11.50; 12.20; 12.50; 13.20; 13.50; 14.20; 14.50; 15.20; 15.50; 16.20; 16.50; 17.20; 17.50; 18.20; 18.50; 19.50; 20.20
Weekends and holidays: 06.50; 07.20; 07.50; 08.20; 08.50; 09.20; 09.50; 10.20; 10.50; 11.20; 11.50; 12.20; 12.50; 13.20; 13.50; 14.20; 15.20; 15.50; 16.50; 17.20; 17.50; 18.20; 19.40; 20.10

By train:

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

Photo Source: Wikipedia.org

The trip is about 30 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; 06:30; 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; 22:20”.
The Railway Station in Asenovgrad is next to the Bus Station.