The hillside of Mt. Vodno supported the castle of
Markovi Kule. The castle can be divided into two discrete areas: the Keep and the Lower Town.
A jeep transported the dig equipment to the
foot of the castle keep, then the climb up to the top.
Looking down from the keep and watching the crew
unload the jeep and hauling the 500 pounds of gear up the path to the castle.
Everyone helps carry up gear.
The crew takes a breather on the top of the castle keep
after carrying up gear for the excavation.
Norman points out the treeless area on the
ridge just east of the castle of Markovi Kule. It sure looks like a perfect spot for a
subsidiary castle or small village.
Michael leads a tired group of students back from a 4 kilometer
cross country hike that checked out one of the ridges to the east of the castle. Three
ridges were checked east of the castle. No evidence of "sister" castles or villages were discovered.
The 2 km. trail leading to castle of King Markivo
passes through a beautiful pine forest. The castle keep can be seen in the distance.
Professor Michael Fuller records a grape vineyard
on the north side of the dirt trail leading to the castle of Markovi. Numerous antique walls
and terraced fields are scattered along the trail. These were probably active farmsteads
and a small village during the Late Antique and Medieval Periods.
On portion of the trail to the castle of Markovi's castle
was lined with tall flowers and Amira Fuller nicknamed it the "Hall of Flowers."
Detail of one of the flowers.
Webpage created 29 July 2005