The Thracian Dolmen Near the Village of Levka – A Stone Testimony from Deep Antiquity
Hidden among the centuries-old pines near the village of Levka in Sakar Mountain lies one of Bulgaria’s most fascinating megalithic monuments – a Thracian dolmen dating back to the beginning of the 1st millennium BC.
This structure stands as one of the few well-preserved examples of ancient funerary architecture from the early Iron Age (11th–9th centuries BC).
What Are Dolmens?
Dolmens are a type of megalithic monument—stone tombs built from large, roughly hewn slabs placed together without mortar.
Their structure typically includes several vertical stones forming a chamber, which is covered by a horizontal roof slab. Some dolmens also feature a carved entrance and an additional corridor, or dromos.
Dolmens were primarily used as burial chambers for individual, family, or collective interments, often accompanied by grave offerings. After each burial, the dolmen was sealed and later reopened for subsequent use.
Location and Structure
Approximately 2 km northeast of the village of Levka, on the road to the village of Studena, lies an impressive Thracian dolmen nestled in a pine forest on the right side of the road. A dirt path leads directly to the site, making it relatively easy for visitors to access.
The dolmen is single-chambered and constructed from five massive stone slabs – four placed vertically and one serving as the roof.
The entrance, facing west, measures about 0.93 meters in width and 1.14 meters in height. The horizontal roof slab measures 2.42 meters in length, 1.68 meters in width, and approximately 20 cm in thickness.
On the north side, two vertical slabs measure 1.20 × 0.75 meters and 1.10 × 1 meter, respectively. The eastern slab, which forms the rear wall, has shifted slightly over time, and the gap between it and the side slab was later filled in. Its dimensions are roughly 0.85 × 1 meter.
The southern side is formed by a single, large slab measuring 2.22 meters in length and 80 cm in thickness. Its height ranges from 1 meter on the western end to 1.20 meters on the eastern end.
A notable detail is the presence of ruined stone slabs near the entrance, indicating that the dolmen likely had an entrance corridor (dromos), which has not survived.
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