assenova krepost (asen's fortress)

Asen's Fortress is easy to find once you get to Asenovgrad or if you come from Chepelare by car. It can be reached by car or on foot and I'd suggest you took the stroll. Nature there is beautiful as everywhere in the Rodopi Mountain. The fortress is very well located for the purpose of guarding the mountain pass. The best preserved part is the church and beautiful views open when you get to the top. Stick to the designated paths when you explore the fortress because the terrain is quite steep.

Just passing by on our way down to Plovdiv we noticed this charming (?) fortress to visit.So we did and found a breathtaking view and understood why the fortress had been situated just in the lock between the valley down from the Rodopi mountains. Worth a stay and a cone!

In a dramatic location Asen's Fortress is reached by a 3km or so walk uphill from Asenovgrad (town is easily reached by bus from Plovdiv). Navigation through town is not obvious but as long as from the bus / train station you head uphill and don't cross the river you shouldn't go too wrong. The walk is fine but nothing special. The fortress is at superb point for guarding the pass through the hills. Pretty much ruins now apart from the church and with a reasonable amount of "added-value" it makes a nice 30 mins (max) of wandering about, staring at the view, looking at the recreations of old machines of war, etc etc.Not much in terms of refreshments - there maybe a drinks seller in the car park. Asenovgrad has plenty of cafes etc.

After you climb the stairs to this hill side fort/church, you can see that it controls a pass and that it allowed for good views of the valley below. The church itself has some good wall paintings that have been restored, but not added to. Most are partial images and some are hard to see or figure out. The different here is that it's a small church that has survived. It gives a very real view of what the historic churches were like. The view and ability to control the pass amply show why this was built here.

I really like this fortress. The view surrounding it is breathtaking. It is very well preserved and is totally worth visiting!

After we read reviews and saw the pictures we assumed this visit would be a mountain trekk, lasting most of the day.It's not anything like that. I guess from the previous reviews they were from the elderly or infirm.It is a breeze to find, absolutely no need for a taxi if you want an easy stroll on a nice day.Take the bus from Plovdiv to Asenovgrad (about 20mins). Ask someone under the age of 20 at the bus station for Assenova krepost and make sure your walking up hill. After a brief walk through the town (15mins) You will find the road that leads up to the fortress. There is a great restaurant with outdoor seating at the start of the road.It takes about 15-20mins to walk up the surfaced ROAD to the site, there is no mountain trekking involved at all.Once up there enjoy the view and the 12th century chapel that is all that is left of the old fortress.

Supposed to be difficult to find but we had no problem as we hired a driver in Sofia and this was part of a day trip to Plovdiv. Amazing views - don't miss out on this unless you don't like heights!

I am an outdoors person and I had a fantastic time here! Beautiful view from all around especially at the top of the fortress! Remember to take a coin with you there seems to be a place where everyone is dropping coins to make a wish in the fortress!

the first time i saw asen's fortress was in 2010. back then it needed much love and refurbishment but the views and history of the place is second to none. in 2013, there's been a lot of improvement to the fortress with proper walkways leading to the fortress to trebuchet replicas. all in all, its still one of my favourite places places to see in bulgaria.

You will get there after only half an hour of driving from Plovdiv. While the fortress itself is not so impressive, the church on the top adds to a really magnificent view over the river valley. Don't miss it.

I like going to this area even without entering the fortress. I think the best season to visit the place is autumn - the fortress and church look fantastic with the colourful tree background all around. Be careful in rainy days when the stones at the hill are wet. It can get slippery. Go with comfortable sports shoes.You can visit the nearby chapels too. The nearest one is "St. Atanasii", there's a sign at the parking showing the direction. A very nice place with interesting history. The person who maintains the chapel has done some marvellous job with it!!

Great excursion, amazing view. The person who worked there gave us a wonderful guided tour of the ruins.

It seems this is a place local people take a stroll. We were lucky to be there with blue and clear sky. Such a nice atmosphere that one has to enjoy the magnificent moments away from crowds.

Sure, it's a bit small, hard to access without a car, and they don't let you go inside... but what a view! Surely there's not a place in Europe where you can find a castle so elegantly placed.

Went there on the 2nd of January with a friend, we arrived at Plovdiv bus station around 10.30 and while there was no snow it was quite foggy. The buses to Asenovgrad are every 30 mins from stop 4 and cost 1.5lev, they didn't leave on the exact times advertised but where kinda always there. By the time we arrived in Asenovgrad the fog had lifted, walked maybe 20 mins from the bus station to the bottom of the hill, just say Asenova Krepost and the locals will gladly point you to the right direction. Once you are at the bottom there is a sign for it, just follow it and go along a long winding car road that slowly but steadily goes upwards. I am not fit at all! So it took us about 1 hour to get up there as we were walking slowly but the view along the way was already stunning. The ticket to get into the viewing platform complex was 2-3lev and from there you have nice and safe steps up to the highest point. The tiny church is so picturesque and i absolutely loved the view!! Don't be put off by the physical climbing part or the height, it is all fairly professionally handled and i wasn't scared. When we were there there were dozens of Bulgarians doing the same hike, though heard only one person speaking English. There is an OK looking diner place along the way but we bought water and bread in the town and ate in up on the hill.Fun fact: All the way down you will see a little path going up, there is a little viewing platform and a stunning little church with beautiful paintings on the side and some local old men excited to bits to see foreigners in winter. Overall, the local people were incredibly nice and appreciative, a great alternative to Sofia or the coast.The buses back to Plovdiv go from stop nr 1 always at 20 mins and 50 mins past until i believe 8 o'clock.