Momchil fortress in the Gradishte locality of the village of. The town has two periods of occupation. The first was in the 6th century, when it was built under Emperor Justinian I (527-565) as part of the chain of Rhodope fortresses against the barbarian invasions from the north. The fortress lasted for a relatively short time and was burnt down during the Slavic campaigns in the late 6th – early 6th century. The second period of occupation was the medieval. The fortress was rebuilt in the 11th century and functioned until the invasion of the Ottoman Turks in the second half of the 14th century. In the first half of the 14th century, the fortress was associated with the name of Momchil Junak. In the spring of 1344, Momchil actively participated in the capture of Komotini and Gratianopol with the troops of Emperor John Kakantakuzin. The emperor bestowed him with the title of sevastokrator, which was given to close relatives of the emperor himself. Thus began the reign of Momchil as a de facto independent Rhodope ruler.
The fortress is situated on a high, rocky peak, 1215 m above sea level. Visibility in all directions is excellent, and the fortress had communication with Koznik near Rudozem and Kaleto near Smolyan.
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