Photo Credit: Opoznai.bg
Hello, guys!
In this blog, I'd like to share about an interesting and mysterious place from my country, which is little known even to Bulgarians. And that's exactly why I think it's a great idea to talk about it. The reason why it's not so popular, however, is not that it's not significant - as you will see later it is an extraordinary location of a great importance. Probably it's not only one reason, but a combination of many factors, e.g. the place is not so easily accessible, lack of enough resources for research in this area, the small size of the village nearby, etc. So, let's get started and try to reveal just a little bit of the whole picture (it's a mystery after all!).
Where is Sitovo Inscription?
But, before I tell you about the exact mystery and legends around it, here is some information regarding the location of this sign. Sitovo inscription is situated close to Sitovo village, only 30 km from the second-largest city in Bulgaria - Plovdiv. The village lays in a valley, surrounded by the hills of the Northern part of Rhodope Mountains. Unfortunately, as most small villages this one is not an exception and is hard to reach - a tiny road goes to the village and the Sitovo inscription.
Besides Sitovo inscription the village is also popular for its old houses and unique look, and it's also part of our national heritage. It can't be confirmed when the houses were built, but it's known that they are more than hundred years old. The material is stone and one very particular feature they possess is their roof which is quite different than most of the houses in other villages, for example - it's made out of special tiles. Although the entire place is very interesting, and lots of facts and sights could be revealed there, I think it's time to talk about the Sitovo inscription, which is probably the most significant of all.
Photo Credit: Godo Nikolov via Mapio.net
What is Sitovo Inscription?
The Sitovo inscription is an inscription that has yet to be satisfactorily translated. It was discovered in 1928 by an archaeological expedition led by Alexander Peev on the wall of a rock shelter near the village of Sitovo, close to Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Photo Credit: Plovdiv Time
Sitovo inscription is a writing carved in the rocks near Sitovo village, with great historical and archaeological importance. The name of the language used and the translation of it are not 100% confirmed yet, but it is believed that they are related to the ancient times when Thracians were inhabiting the area. Actually, in the past, there were a few Thracian villages/cities in the region, who had their sanctuaries made on the rocks. The size of the sign is 3.4 meters long and around 30 cm wide, and the letters used were claimed to be runes. The inscription is situated below a shelter created by the rocks.
Photo Credit: Plovdiv Time
Different theories exist regarding the multiple questions raised here. Why this was carved in the rocks and why at this specific location? What does it mean and has that something to do with our present or it is related only to the past and the rituals performed back then? In fact, the mystery around the whole thing is so deep that there are even theories about these letters not being letters at all but created purely by nature. Even though that would explain a lot, and would be an easy answer, it is not a very probable theory. All facts lead to the major point that the writing was made by humans to serve a certain purpose.
Photo Credit: Bradva.bg
The placement of the sign - right under the rocks in a niche - gives the impression that this spot might not be accidentally chosen. Creating something like that in a location with less sunlight protects the rock and the writing from erosion and natural processes, from rain, water, and most of the reasons that can lead to its destruction compared to other positions it might take. It is hard to believe that this was simply a coincidence as the rock shelter is too big and too obvious to just ignore. Around the area of the inscription (which is not that big) there are small holes in the rocks, shapes, and figures, and probably drawings which now have been destroyed by time and hardly recognized. Scientists believe that the holes were used for placing gifts for the gods, and performing rituals by the Thracians. One of the figures created in the rock suspiciously looks like a female, but of course, it's hard to confirm with certainty due to the many years that have passed since this period and the track of history.
Photo Credit: bulgaria.zavedenia.com
The region was inhabited somewhere around 6000 - 8000 years ago, and as I mentioned several villages were founded across the mountain rocks. Right opposite the Sitovo inscription, high on the rocks was the ancient city Shtutgrad which is also a mystery nowadays. Many legends flow around about the past and the people living in that village, some of them reasonable and lying on facts, while others - too fantastic to be true. Unfortunately, archaeologists haven't started to reveal and discover the truth about the history behind all this yet. Hopefully, in the future, this would change.
Photo Credit: Kmeta.bg
Here is a video of the area and the rocks near Sitovo inscription, known as Shtutgrad:
Video Credit: Bogoljub Gagic via YouTube.com
Expectedly the area is most visited when the weather allows it - during the warm months (from May to October), and mainly in weekends. In winter the population decreases drastically with very few locals living in Sitovo village. Officially and according to stastistics, the population of the vllage is 70 people, but the reality is that they are way less than this number, especially in winter. People have many reasons to visit. One of them is the special energy that is believed this place to possess. It was measured and the village plus the writing area were determined as very powerful sights in regards to energy levels and atmosphere. What contributes to all this is the rural area and the fresh air in the mountains.
I'd also like to share a video regarding similar mysterious inscriptions around the world:
Video Credit: Fact Bits via YouTube.com
Sitovo Village
Photo Credit: Psychocrew via Wikimedia Commons
The name of the village has historical meaning - it was called by the name of the tribe, which lived there probably somewhere before 6000 years. Of course, their dwellings are long gone and covered, but the name remained alive until today. The village is really small, and not very well accommodated. The fact that it's even hard to access and to reach speaks by itself.
Photo Credit: Sinoptik.bg
Besides all these legends and mysteries, I'll add one more to complete the picture. In Sitovo village a spring is available with water that is claimed to be healing multiple illnesses, such as eye diseases, joint diseases, and many others. Many people visit the village only for this reason - with a hope that the spring water could help them in recovering from their conditions. And indeed, many cases where people were cured are a fact. Might be that their belief in the power of the spring could have helped them in healing as well, but the effects of this water on human health can't be denied.
Photo Credit: Dailypress.bg
Sitovo village and inscription are sights that are appropriate for nature lovers, people who are attracted and interested in mysteries, tourists who like quiet vacations, and anyone who wants to visit an unusual and spiritual place. I highly recommend it as even if it's not one of the most popular tourist attractions, it has its charm and provides a unique experience.
Thanks for reading! See you later!
- by NinaB
