{"id":14266,"date":"2022-07-31T10:33:09","date_gmt":"2022-07-31T10:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/bgdv_listing\/koprinka-seuthopolis\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T19:40:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:40:54","slug":"koprinka-seuthopolis","status":"publish","type":"bgdv_listing","link":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/koprinka-seuthopolis\/","title":{"rendered":"Koprinka Reservoir and the Thracian City of Seuthopolis"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2><strong>Episode BG20. Koprinka Reservoir and the Thracian City of Seuthopolis<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Hello, Bulgaria! \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddec<\/p>\n<p>Koprinka Dam is one of the most picturesque reservoirs in Bulgaria, located at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, only 7 kilometers from Kazanlak. Under its smooth water surface, however, lies something unique &#8211; the submerged Thracian city of Seutopolis. Founded by King Seuthes III in the 4th century BC, it was a planned city with a forum, palace, temples and streets &#8211; the first open Thracian city with such a structure. Although it cannot be seen today, its legend continues to excite scholars and travelers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-tabs style_default switch_click accordion type_togglable has_scrolling\" style=\"--sections-title-size:inherit\"><div class=\"w-tabs-sections titles-align_none icon_chevron cpos_right\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section new_tab_links\" id=\"zb7e\"><button class=\"w-tabs-section-header\" aria-controls=\"content-zb7e\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-title\">\ud83d\udea9 Timecode for quick access to video moments<\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section-control\"><\/div><\/button><div  class=\"w-tabs-section-content\" id=\"content-zb7e\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-content-h i-cf\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>You can navigate directly to a desired moment in the video by clicking on the timer\ud83d\udc46<br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m_MrvlARGnM\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">0:00<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Intro Channel trailer <\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m_MrvlARGnM&amp;t=20s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">0:20<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Series Intro<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m_MrvlARGnM&amp;t=45s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">0:45<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Whereabouts and Brief History<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m_MrvlARGnM&amp;t=122s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">2:02<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Seutopolis and the Big Hairy<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m_MrvlARGnM&amp;t=169s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">2:49<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Final Thoughts<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section new_tab_links\" id=\"yc4d\"><button class=\"w-tabs-section-header\" aria-controls=\"content-yc4d\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-title\">\ud83d\udc49 Links and references to other videos:<\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section-control\"><\/div><\/button><div  class=\"w-tabs-section-content\" id=\"content-yc4d\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-content-h i-cf\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>\ud83d\udca1 Other interesting places nearby:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/shipka-monument\/\">BG14. Shipka Memorial \u2013 Monument of Freedom<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/buzludzha-monument\/\">BG15. Buzludzha Monument \u2013 The Former House of the Bulgarian Communist Party<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/bgdv_listing\/buzovgrad-megalith\/\">BG52. Megalith above Buzovgrad and the Gateway of the Mother Goddess to the BEYOND!<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/bgdv_listing\/shipka-memorial-temple\/\">BG55. Memorial Church \u201cNativity of Christ\u201d \u2013 GUARDING the Bones of the Fallen at Shipka<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/bgdv_listing\/rose-festival\/\">BG60. The Rose Festival Reveals the MAGIC of the Bulgarian Rose and Rose Oil<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 References to other episodes:<br \/>\nNone<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"summary\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\ud83d\udccc What will we look at in this article?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><a href=\"#summary\">\ud83d\udcdd Episode Summary<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#highlights\">\ud83d\udd25 The most interesting moments<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#location-rating\">\u2b50 Location assessment\u200b<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#final-conclusion\">\u2705 Final conclusion<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\" id=\"summary\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\ud83d\udcdd Brief summary of the episode<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"545\" data-end=\"936\">The dam was built between 1944 and 1955 on the site of an ancient Thracian settlement discovered during the construction of the wall. Archaeologists documented the unique cultural heritage, but despite attempts at preservation, Seutopolis was flooded. Today it remains sealed in the depths of Koprinka &#8211; like a time capsule. The dam has a volume of about 140 million cubic meters, is used for irrigation and is a popular destination for fishing and recreation, with views of the massifs of the Central Balkan Mountains.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0438\u044f\u0442\u0430<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"highlights\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\ud83d\udd25 What will you see in this episode?<\/h2>\n<p>We will head to a seemingly peaceful water mirror that hides the secrets of the Thracian past. We&#8217;ll peer at the dam wall, look down on the lines of the shore from high above, and the camera will pan to where the forum of Seutopolis used to be &#8211; now submerged under dozens of metres of water. The serenity of the dam contrasts with the drama of the lost city, and drone views combine the present with the past in a silent symphony.<\/p>\n<p>Koprinka Dam is one of the most iconic reservoirs in the Kazanlak region, nestled at the foot of the Balkan Mountains and fed by the Tundja River. In this episode, the focus falls on the impressive dam and the landscapes that unfold around it. The historical thread refers to the submerged Thracian city of Seutopolis, the capital of King Seuthes III, discovered during the construction of the dam. Data from the excavations carried out by BAS outline an extremely well-planned ancient settlement with a public area, temples and fortifications. The space around the dam combines natural beauty with a sense of invisible cultural heritage left deep underwater.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0438\u044f\u0442\u0430<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\" id=\"location-rating\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\u2b50 Location assessment<\/h2>\n<p>The assessment is entirely based on my personal impression and is made according to several main criteria considered separately. I use a 5-point scale where (1\/5 &#8211; Very bad, 2\/5 &#8211; Bad, 3\/5 &#8211; Average, 4\/5 &#8211; Good, 5\/5 &#8211; Excellent)<\/p>\n<p><!-- SECTION 3 BUTTONS TOP --><\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow-x: auto;\">\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-size: 14px;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8f8f8;\">\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left; width: 10%;\">Criterion<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Personal impression<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left; width: 15%;\">Rating<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Accessibility<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\ude97<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">The dam is accessible directly by car, and there are plenty of places to stop along the shore, especially on the wall and the western side. There is no need to hike.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>History<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udcdc<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">Under the waters of the dam lie the ruins of Seutopolis &#8211; the capital of the Thracian ruler Seuthes III. This is the only known planned city of the Thracians with a clearly formed palace, temples and forum.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Condition<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">Although the area is actively used for fishing and tourism, there is a lack of overall management. There are traces of pollution and frequent releases of the reservoir, which expose unpleasant areas on the shore.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u2606\u2606<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Conveniences<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udebb<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">There are a few private cottages and buildings in the area, but there is a lack of well maintained restaurants and marked sanitary points. There are no formal eco-toilets around the main stops.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u2606\u2606<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Price<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udcb0<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">Access is free for visitors. A ticket is required for recreational fishing.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \u041e\u0431\u0449\u0430 \u043e\u0446\u0435\u043d\u043a\u0430 --><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 15px; padding: 12px; background-color: #f3f3f3; border: 1px solid #ddd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\"><span><strong>Overall rating:<\/strong> 4.2<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"position: relative; display: inline-block;\"><span style=\"position: absolute; left: 0; width: 20%; overflow: hidden; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2606<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0442\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0438\u0442\u0435<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"final-conclusion\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\u2705 Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1700\" data-end=\"2175\">Koprinka Dam is not just a place for fishing and walking &#8211; it is a memory sealed in water. The history of Seutopol reminds us how fragile cultural heritage is when confronted with the needs of modernity. Yet, even submerged, the city of Seuthes remains alive &#8211; in sketches, reconstructions and the imagination of anyone who looks into the depths. You won&#8217;t see ruins here, but you will feel something else &#8211; the silence of what was lost and the majesty of what was.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you like the content we share, don&#8217;t forget to subscribe to the channel and support the project &#8220;Bulgaria one click away!&#8221;. Thanks to everyone who shares and spreads the beauty of our homeland!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">Back to article<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Episode BG20 takes us to the Koprinka Dam, which hides a secret &#8211; under its waters lies Seutopolis, the ancient capital of King Seut III. Are you ready to peer into the depths of a lost past?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":13624,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14266","bgdv_listing","type-bgdv_listing","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bgdv_listing\/14266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bgdv_listing"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bgdv_listing"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}