The archaeological site Crveno Pole is located 37 km northeast of Strumica, in the far southeast of North Macedonia, right on the border with Bulgaria. It is situated about 15 km north of the municipal center of Novo Selo and 8.5 km north of the village of Barbarevo, within whose territory it lies.
Location and Significance
Crveno Pole is nestled high in the foothills of Mount Ograzhden at an altitude of about 1,200 meters above sea level. It is a unique micro-geographical region consisting of several hill ridges stretching in a southeast-northwest direction. The area was inhabited in ancient times, as evidenced by five locations from the Roman and Late Antique periods. Architectural and material remains have been discovered here, indicating organized settlement activity spanning more than six centuries (from the 1st to the 6th century AD).
The Settlement
In the central part of Crveno Pole, an open-type settlement extends across a larger plateau. Over an area of several hectares, dozens of residential and economic structures, as well as two necropolises, have been identified. The Belogazica River divides the settlement into two parts: the northern area Janina Cheshma and the southern area Papri.
Janina Cheshma
Here, a well-preserved building complex with visible foundation walls can be found. The building is rectangular and oriented north-south. It was constructed using two techniques: Opus implektum (large, unhewn stone blocks) and Opus incertum (irregular stones without horizontal layering). The building was used in parallel with the cremation necropolis, indicating its use between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD.
Papri
In the southern part of the settlement, two buildings are located. Building I is rectangular with a semicircular wall in the south. It was built on a rock, with shallow foundations filled with stones and earth. Building II is a massive structure likely used between the 3rd and 6th centuries, as evidenced by a coin of Diocletian and a ceramic lamp with a cross.
The Necropolises
Gushteva Chukarka
This necropolis covers an area of about 5,000 m², with 81 graves excavated so far. All graves follow the cremation ritual and are marked with stone rings. The necropolis was used from the end of the 1st century to the end of the 3rd century AD.
Spasov Rid
About 50 meters to the west, another necropolis with a different burial ritual was discovered. Here, stone cist graves were carved directly into the rock and covered with stone slabs. This necropolis was used from the 4th century onwards.
The Castrum
Southeast of the settlement lies the fortified site Gradishte. On a high, dominant hill with steep slopes, a refuge was built to provide protection to the population in times of danger. The strong foundations testify to the importance of this fortification.
Crveno Pole – A Window into Macedonia’s Ancient History
The site offers a unique insight into the life, architecture, and burial rites of the ancient inhabitants of this region. It is a testament to the rich history and culture of Macedonia, which remains alive to this day.
Visit Crveno Pole and discover the traces of the past!
Your Team at Destination Macedonia
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