The initial fortress was constructed during the time when the region was part of the
Roman Empire. The rock formations in the area served as a natural protection, as
fortified walls were practically only built from the northwest and southeast, with the yard being surrounded by rocks up to high from the other sides. Initially, the Belogradchik Fortress served for
surveillance and not strictly defense. The Bulgarian
tsar of
Vidin,
Ivan Stratsimir extended the old fortress in the 14th century, building fortified garrisons in front of the existing rock massifs. During Stratsimir's rule, the Belogradchik Fortress became one of the most important strongholds in the region, second only to the tsar's capital fortress of Vidin,
Baba Vida. During the
Ottoman conquest of Bulgaria, the fortress was captured by the Ottomans in 1396. They were forced to further expand the stronghold due to the intensified
hajduk and insurrectionist activity in the region. Considerable changes to the fortress were made in the early 19th century. These changes were typical for the Ottoman castle architecture of the period, a full reorganization being carried out, as well as additional expansion. Typically
European elements were added to the Belogradchik Fortress owing to the
French and
Italian engineers that participated in the expansion. The stronghold had an important role in the Ottoman suppression of the Bulgarian
Belogradchik Uprising of 1850. It was last used in warfare during the
Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885. ==Gallery==