Mezek Fortress (Neoutzikon)

Mezek Fortress, also known by its Byzantine name Neoutzikon, is a well-preserved medieval stronghold near the village of Mezek in Svilengrad Municipality in southern Bulgaria. Built at the end of the 11th century or beginning of the 12th century, likely under Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus, the fortress functioned as a border guard installation after Byzantium conquered the First Bulgarian Empire. Strategically positioned to guard territories between the Arda and Maritsa rivers, the fortress occupies 6.5 decares (approximately 1.6 acres) and ranks among Bulgaria's best-preserved medieval fortifications. Though the battlements remained largely intact until 1900 when Ottoman forces demolished portions to reuse the stones for barracks construction in Svilengrad, substantial ruins remain visible today. The area also features two ancient Thracian beehive tombs—the Mezek and Sheynovets tombs—adding to the region's archaeological significance.