Gate of Trajan

The Gate of Trajan or Trajan's Gate (Bulgarian: Траянови врата, Trayanovi vrata) is a historic mountain pass near Ihtiman, Bulgaria. It was named so after Roman Emperor Trajan, on whose order a fortress by the name of Stipon was constructed on the hill over the pass, as a symbolic border between the provinces of Thrace and Macedonia.

The pass is primarily known for the major medieval battle of 17 August 986A faithful war was led between the Byzantine Empire and Bulgaria. Emperor Basil II was determined to destroy the kingdom of his neighbors. The Romans took off to the important city of Sredets or what’s today Sofia with an army of 30,000. The warriors of Tsar Samuel totally smashed the invaders at the foot of the walls of the ancient fortress by eliminating nearly the entire cavalry of Basil II, along with most of his land forces.

“On 17 August 986 the warriors of Samuel smashed up on this spot the Byzantine invaders of Emperor Basil II. Glory forever! ” These are the words engraved on a stone plate, placed at the Trayanovi Vrata (Gate of Trajan) .