Description
The archaeological complex Perperikon, a monument of national significance, is situated in the Eastern Rhodopes, near the town of Kardjali. The excavations showed that the earliest human activity dates back to IV millennium B.C. The project aims to restore, preserve and exhibit the ancient and medieval city, part of Perperikon complex; to improve accessibility for various social groups to the complex using modern digital technologies; to increase the popularity of Perperikon among a wider segment of society as a unique part of the Bulgarian and European cultural heritage. The project will contribute towards the main goal of the Programme BG08 for greater institutional and public participation in the cultural exchange of Bulgarian cultural heritage in the European context; and for protection and restoration of the Bulgarian cultural heritage for future generations. The project will result in restoration and exposition of 11 sites of the antique and medieval town of Perperikon, the creation of a 3D model of the complex storing the complete graphic and digital information about the complex and the exhibits and enabling its easy presentation. Also a 3-day seminar, 6 presentation events and 3 press conferences will be held for promotion of Perperikon among various groups, including local Roma people and specialists in the Donor countries. At the seminar 40 specialists from Bulgaria and Donor States will take part to get acquainted with the cultural heritage of the region and the 3D model of the monument. Based on the contacts made during the seminar a 3-day visit will take place of 6 representatives of Municipality of Kardjali and the Regional Museum of History at a cultural institution in the Donor States where they present Perperikon directed towards specialists in the cultural heritage sphere. Presentations of the 3D model will be held at schools in Kardjali where students of Roma origin are educated and also their parents will be present.
Summary of project results
Perperikon is one of the most significant archaeological monuments in Bulgaria, which has a high cognitive and cultural historical value and the potential to become an attractive tourist attraction. In the last 13 years the number of visitors to the complex has been steadily growing. The Municipality of Kardzhali has carried out a project "Exploration, recording, restoration and exhibition of the ancient and medieval city of Perperikon", covering 11 buildings, facilities and urban structures, located in this part, namely - 3 altars, porch, 4 residential buildings , the fortress wall of the Acropolis with 2 bastions, a polygonal tower and the street grid. There were also platforms, paragliders, a wooden panoramic playground in the medieval tower and a promenade, and the lighting of an ancient and medieval city. The exhibition of the 11 sites located in the southwestern part of the Acropolis from the ancient and medieval city of Perperikon made this part of the complex more attractive to visitors. It also allows tourists to get a better idea of the lives of people from different ages and cultures without endangering both the monument and the visitors themselves. Thanks to the project, the visitors of the Perperikon Archaeological Complex have increased the number of Bulgarian and foreign tourists - between 10 000 and 30 000 visitors per year. The project site created allows the professionals and visitors to visit Perperikon to get acquainted with the complex and get more information about it. Through the organization of promotional events, the website of the project and the dissemination of information leaflets and brochures, information on the uniqueness and significance of the Perperikon archaeological complex reaches on the one hand to the inhabitants of Kardzhali Municipality from different social groups, including Roma, and on the other to specialists and a wide range of civil society representatives from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The lasting impact of the project on the target groups is ensured by the integrated approach in implementing the interconnected project activities. Through the organization of promotional events, the website of the project and the dissemination of information leaflets and brochures, information on the uniqueness and significance of the archaeological complex "Perperikon" reached on the one hand residents of Kardzhali municipality from different social groups, including Roma, and on the other to specialists and a wide range of civil society representatives from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Summary of bilateral results