Thracian sanctuary Belintash
   Photo: Thracian sanctuary Belintash

In the Rhodope Mountains near Asenovgrad is a unique rock formation Belintash. The area 2, 3 hectares, which is a rock, a natural monument.

The rock of the mountain sedimentary rocks (tuff) was subjected to weathering and has acquired unusual shapes. This kind of raised plate whose length is 750 meters, width of 30-50 meters, height of about 35. Rock Belintash is probably due to a number of holes, chosen alpine swift, kestrel and red-rumped swallow. Natural Landmark Belintash is protected and controlled by the state.

Belintash primarily known for the fact that its surface Thracian tribe was arranged sanctuary. It is possible that the Thracians made a sanctuary on a rock to protect it from raids aggressive neighbors. It is believed that this ritual dedicated to the god of the place was Sabazios. At the foot of the cliff was discovered a plate of silver, which was shown sitting on the throne of God, twined snakes, according to experts, Sabazios - analogue of the Greek god Dionysus. This finding is now kept at the Archaeological Museum in Sofia.

Golf on the rock is covered with a plurality of openings of man-made origin, they are joined together by straight lines. There is a theory that this map of the constellations (Orion, Ursa Major, Leo), so maybe it was a kind of sanctuary for the priests of the ancient observatory, that the stars foretell the future. In addition, the rock carved two rather large pit, which filled with water. One of the views is that the wells filled with water - a natural "mirror" reflecting the sky and the star pattern. It is also possible to use them to dissolve in the water of wine, which was the ancient Thracians is an important ritual significance.

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