The restored castles have been mocked for looking like

They were showered with millions of euros in EU funding to restore the crumbling walls and archways to their former glory.

But Bulgaria's ancient castles and fortresses have become a laughing stock after shoddy reconstruction work left the sites looking like they were made of "cheese and cardboard" and drove away tourists.

Conservationists have poured scorn on efforts to rebuild the medieval fort of Krakra and the Roman fort of Trayanovi Vrata , among others, after they were rebuilt using polymer concrete.

The ill-fated project was overseen by the Bulgarian government, drawing on its own funds and around 90 million euros (£80m) from the EU's Regional Development Fund.

Both the EU and the government have privately admitted that lessons should be learned from the debacle, according to an investigation by Balkan Insight.

“It’s weeping – a weeping fortress,” conservation architect Stella Duleva said of the Trayanovi Vrata fort in an interview with the news website.

“It had survived 16 centuries, and now it’s been ruined by two million euros."

View photos Parts of the medieval fort of Krakra were rebuilt using polyester cement Credit: stoyanh / Alamy Stock Photo More

Restoration of the Krakra fort, now known locally as "cardboard castle," was so poorly received that local authorities have already vowed to dismantle the additions in 2019.

Meanwhile the Byzantine fort of Yaylata has been dubbed "cheese fortress" after it was rebuilt with smooth white blocks that clash with its weather-worn facade.

It comes as the EU faces renewed scrutiny as to how its development funds are spent, amid claims that millions are being pocketed by corrupt officials and inept craftsmen.

The forts and castles in Bulgaria are also a major source of embarrassment for culture minister Vezhdi Rashidov, who infamously claimed in 2015 that "a little bit of fakery will do a lot for tourism".

“The initial goal of the programme wasn’t to sponsor kitsch. Unfortunately, in many cases this is exactly what happened, which has compromised the idea of developing tourist attractions," said Dr Elka Dogramadjieva, an assistant professor of tourism at Sofia University.

“Instead of focusing on strategic sites, funds were scattered among many similar projects that are of modest interest to visitors, and in some cases, of little scientific importance,” Dr Dogramadjieva said.

View photos Inconsistencies in the financial records of companies which maintain the forts suggest tourism revenues were far lower than expected Credit: GeorgiD / Alamy Stock Photo More

She added: “You need more than nice alleyways and a signpost to attract people. In general, it seems the primary goal of municipalities has been the absorption of European money, rather than the actual effect on tourism.”

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