Early Byzantine Watchtower (Guard) Tower “Pirgo – Kalj’nata”

Abstract

The archeological excavation at the site "Pirgo-Kalj'nata" which is located southeast of the village of Mokrievo (Strumichko), was carried out for the first time in 2011-2012. The archeological site lies at the foot of Belasica Mountain.

It's a question of fortification building - a tower, which, according to the construction method, was built in late antiquity as a frurion, i.e. observatory that secured the road direction Strumica - Ser. Such fortress from the late antique or early Byzantine period, which have laid along important road routes and passages, were partially restored and put into operation in the Middle Ages. We believe that this tower in the village of Mokrievo was used by Samuil and most possible, it is the fortress of Matzukion (Ματζούκιον) mentioned by the chronicler John Skylitzes in the descent of Basil II in 1014.

In 2023, NI Institute for protection of cultural heritage and Museum Strumica designed a project for conservation of this tower. With the realization of this project, we will get another cultural monument that will be presented to the general public, related to the historical events in this part of Macedonia, from the time of late antiquity, Samuel's wars and the Middle Ages.