Archaeological excavations to explore the ‘birth place of Orpheus”

Anita Valentinova, source :horemag.bg, 22 June 2009

This summer archaeological excavations will take place near the village of Gela, the Rhodope Mountain, Smolyan region. A basilica and a Thracian fortress will be explored near the village which is popular as the birth place of the mythological Orpheus.

The basilica is part of a cult complex dating back to the 5th-6th century. The main basilica has been researched yet. The interest of archaeologists during the new excavations will be focused on the thorough research of the cult complex and the necropolis. The Thracian fortress is situated in the countryside Gradisheto near village of Gela. The Thracian fortress is believed to have been a shelter during military actions and it dates back to the 11th -1st century BC.
Provided that archaeologists will reveal interesting findings, two archaeological places will be turned into tourism landmarks.