URVICH FORTRESS (Boni Petrunova – boni_boon@abv.bg) The Urvich Fortress dates to the 13th – 14th centuries and covered an area of 1.72 ha. The fortification wall followed the configuration of the terrain and protected an ellipsoid area which is 849 m long. Probably, one of the fortification entrances was situated in the southeastern part of the wall. Part of the fortification wall and a tower were explored in 1969. The St. Elias Church, situated in the center of the fortress, was explored in 1979. During the resumed archaeological explorations, clandestine excavations were documented at the church, the fortification wall and the southeastern tower. The tower was rectangular and was preserved at 5 m in height. Two sondages were carried out at the tower. Building ceramics, fragments of mortar, sherds and animal bones were found. Sondages were carried out at the eastern fortification wall. The St. Elias Church was built of roughly cut stones bonded with mortar and with horizontal wooden beams incorporated into the structure, similarly to the fortification wall. A metal bar for producing bronze jewelry and coins deserved attention among the finds. Single finds preceded the 13th century.