# Krivus castle

- **Country:** Bulgaria
- **Coordinates:** 41.672600, 25.126800
- **Notes:** Krivus is a medieval fortress in the valley of the river Arda in the eastern Rhodope Mountains in Kardzhali Province. It raises over a steep hill. There partially preserved ruins of the walls reaching height of up to 5 m.

Krivus Fortress is a medieval stronghold located in the Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria, situated approximately 2 kilometers northwest of the village of Bashevo in Ardino Municipality, Kardzhali Province. Built in the 10th century, the fortress rises dramatically over a high hill on the right bank of the Arda River, which forms a protective meander around the structure on three sides. The fortress occupies two rocky peaks characterized by steep, nearly vertical slopes on the north and east, making it a naturally defensible position.

The fortress played a significant role in the medieval history of the region, coming under the control of both the Byzantine Empire and the Second Bulgarian Empire before the Ottoman Turks conquered the area in the second half of the 14th century. The fortress remains an important historical landmark, declared as a site of local historical importance. Access to Krivus is challenging, requiring approximately 40 minutes of steep hiking from Bashevo due to the difficult terrain.

The fortress occupies a strategic location within a broader network of medieval fortifications in the region. Patmos Fortress lies several kilometers to the east downstream along the Arda valley, while Dyavolski Most bridge is situated a few kilometers to the south upstream. Today, Krivus stands as a testament to the medieval architectural and military heritage of Bulgaria's Rhodope region.

![Photo of Krivus castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Krivus.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krivus (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)