Археологически паметници в прохода Траянови врата (според данни от османската епоха и съвременни археологически проучвания)

This article examines the historical topography of the Trajan’s Gate Pass (Bulgaria) from late antiquity to the early modern period, with particular emphasis on evidence from 16th–18th c. AD travel accounts. Although the pass is one of the most frequently mentioned places in pre-modern European itineraries across the Balkans, its archaeological record remains poorly documented. Through a critical reading of written sources, combined with spatial analysis and field observations, the study reassesses the location, chronology, and function of key features within the pass, including fortified sites, roadside facilities, and the Ottoman-period „palanka“ installations. The paper argues that the early Ottoman settlement of Vetren was originally situated on the saddle known as Palankata, rather than at the site of the modern town of Vetren, to which it was relocated during the early 17th c. AD. This reinterpretation is further supported by detailed accounts of distances, elevations, and visual references preserved in travel narratives. The study also draws attention to the existence of multiple, now-lost fortifications and infrastructure along the route. Despite its significance for long-distance communication between Constantinople and Central Europe, the area has seen very limited archaeological investigation. The article highlights the urgency of systematic research, given the accelerating destruction of archaeological remains.