Bulgaria's 'Stonehenge': Ancient Thracian Stone Circle

MessageToEagle.com – Bulgarian archaeologists will soon begin excavations of the 6th century BC megalithic structure, which was discovered at the town of Staro Zhelezare near Hisarya in Southern Bulgaria, in 2001.

Unfortunately, after its discovery in 2001, the so called ‘Bulgarian Stonehenge’ – an Ancient Thracian stone circle (cromlech) has been largely abandoned to the mercy of looting treasure hunters and the weather, and is now in a terrible condition.

The structure, which is a an megalithic observatory located 10 km southeast of the Thracian cult temple at Starosel, consists of 24 erect megalithic slabs (of which 2 are missing) of various sizes arranged in a proper circle.

The Ancient Thracian Stone Circle (Cromlech) at Bulgaria’s Staro Zhelezare after its discovery and excavation by late Bulgarian archaeologist Georgi Kitov in 2001. Photo: Georgi Kitov/Staro Zhelezare Facebook Page

They are believed to have been used by the Odrysians (Odrysae), the most powerful Thracian tribe which created the Odrysian Kingdom. The stone circle was covered buried under a man-made mound known today as Cholakova Mogila by the Thracians after they stopped using it.