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Things To Do
Zdraveyte ! (Hello)
It would be impossible here to cover every point of interest in the region for there are so many to choose from and it would require hundreds of pages to do them all justice.
However our Tour Guides are designed to allow you the visitor to choose exactly when and where to explore!
The aim of this page is to give you a ‘feel’ for this wonderful region in the hope that it will inspire you to visit the Eastern Rhodopes and experience its beauty first hand.
I hope you enjoy this page with related links and if you are as inspired as we were…....... please visit and experience it all for yourselves!
Best regards, Gypsy.
Rhodope Mountains
The Rhodopes is a mountain range in South Eastern Europe with over 83% of its area in southern Bulgaria and the remainder in Greece. Its highest peak, Golyam Perelik (2191m) is situated in Bulgaria.
The climate in the region is influenced by the southeastern Balkan Peninsula, which cools the air from the north while the Mediterranean provides a warmer breeze from the south.
In Greek mythology, Zeus and Hera changed Queen Rhodope of Thrace, the wife of King Haemus, into the Rhodope Mountains.
There are archaeological sites throughout the region related to the cult of Dionysus, such as the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon.
The Rhodopes are widely considered to be the mythological birthplace of Orpheus and his wife Eurydice.
The climate in the region is influenced by the southeastern Balkan Peninsula, which cools the air from the north while the Mediterranean provides a warmer breeze from the south.
In Greek mythology, Zeus and Hera changed Queen Rhodope of Thrace, the wife of King Haemus, into the Rhodope Mountains.
There are archaeological sites throughout the region related to the cult of Dionysus, such as the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon.
The Rhodopes are widely considered to be the mythological birthplace of Orpheus and his wife Eurydice.
Orpheus
Orpheus (a Thracian) was the greatest musician and poet of Greek mythology and a son of Apollo whose songs could charm wild beasts and coax rocks and trees into movement.
When Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus was killed by the bite of a serpent, he travelled into the underworld to bring her back.
Hades was so impressed and moved by Orpheus’ music that he allowed Eurydice to return to the world of the living.
There was, however a condition to be met: Orpheus must not look back while he was escorting Eurydice to the surface.
Unfortunately just before Eurydice reached the upper world, Orpheus looked back and his wife slipped into the netherworld forever.
Devastated and inconsolable at the loss of his wife Orpheus retreated into isolation.
One day a group of female devotees of Dionysus (Ciconian Maenads) found him singing by a tree.
They attacked him with rocks and branches, but Orpheus’ music was so beautiful that the objects refused to strike him.
Finally the Maenads tore him apart with their own hands. Still singing the head of Orpheus floated down the river and came to rest on the isle of Lesbos.
When Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus was killed by the bite of a serpent, he travelled into the underworld to bring her back.Hades was so impressed and moved by Orpheus’ music that he allowed Eurydice to return to the world of the living.
There was, however a condition to be met: Orpheus must not look back while he was escorting Eurydice to the surface.
Unfortunately just before Eurydice reached the upper world, Orpheus looked back and his wife slipped into the netherworld forever.
Devastated and inconsolable at the loss of his wife Orpheus retreated into isolation.
One day a group of female devotees of Dionysus (Ciconian Maenads) found him singing by a tree.
They attacked him with rocks and branches, but Orpheus’ music was so beautiful that the objects refused to strike him.
Finally the Maenads tore him apart with their own hands. Still singing the head of Orpheus floated down the river and came to rest on the isle of Lesbos.
The village of Tatul (The Sanctuary of Orpheus)
Within the last few years archaeologist Nikolai Ovcharov and his team discovered a temple near the village of Tatul, which is believed to be the gravesite of Orpheus.
There is evidence of a rare Thracian custom where the king was buried on top of a hill or in a column instead of under a mound.
Ovcharov is convinced that this was a burial site of a Thracian king, who was defiled upon his death. Such rituals were used in the burials of the Thracian kings Orpheus and Rezus.
Among other items discovered they also found many images and artefacts used for worshipping the Sun God.
The findings were dated to the Crete-Mycenaen culture by the numerous pieces of Greek pottery found at the site.
Nikolai Ovcharov also unearthed some significant findings at the Perperikon settlement near Kardjali.
There is evidence of a rare Thracian custom where the king was buried on top of a hill or in a column instead of under a mound.
Ovcharov is convinced that this was a burial site of a Thracian king, who was defiled upon his death. Such rituals were used in the burials of the Thracian kings Orpheus and Rezus.
Among other items discovered they also found many images and artefacts used for worshipping the Sun God.
The findings were dated to the Crete-Mycenaen culture by the numerous pieces of Greek pottery found at the site.
Nikolai Ovcharov also unearthed some significant findings at the Perperikon settlement near Kardjali.
The Holy Town Of Perperikon
Situated approximately 20km from Kardjali is the ancient town of Peperikon.
Fully carved into the rocks it is considered to be one of the wonders of the world.
The archaeological excavations have revealed that the cults on the rocky peak started before 5000 BC. Originally the temples were constructed of wattle and clay, but during the Bronze Age (18th-12th century BC) as metal tools were developed it became possible to carve into the rock.
By the end of the Bronze Age a huge hall had been carved into the rock with a magnificent round altar at the centre. It is believed that Holy rituals were performed here.
Two oracles (prophesies) of momentous significance for human history were uttered in the Temple of Dionysus in Perperikon: Alexander the Great was told that he was to conquer Asia, and the Romans – that they were to establish a world empire.
At the beginning of the 5th century Christianity was adopted in the Rhodope Mountains and the pagan temples were buried or turned into churches.
Over the years Perperikon was devastated by the Goths, controlled by the Byzantines, conquered and destroyed by the Ottoman Turks when the ruins were abandoned and forgotten.
Fully carved into the rocks it is considered to be one of the wonders of the world.
The archaeological excavations have revealed that the cults on the rocky peak started before 5000 BC. Originally the temples were constructed of wattle and clay, but during the Bronze Age (18th-12th century BC) as metal tools were developed it became possible to carve into the rock.
By the end of the Bronze Age a huge hall had been carved into the rock with a magnificent round altar at the centre. It is believed that Holy rituals were performed here.
Two oracles (prophesies) of momentous significance for human history were uttered in the Temple of Dionysus in Perperikon: Alexander the Great was told that he was to conquer Asia, and the Romans – that they were to establish a world empire.
At the beginning of the 5th century Christianity was adopted in the Rhodope Mountains and the pagan temples were buried or turned into churches.
Over the years Perperikon was devastated by the Goths, controlled by the Byzantines, conquered and destroyed by the Ottoman Turks when the ruins were abandoned and forgotten.
The Stone Wedding
The
Stone Wedding is a natural phenomenon near the village of Zimzelen, 5km
away from Kardzhali. Nature has left a very impressive stone formation
which resembles a gathering of people, animals and birds.
The
Monyak (also known as Mneakos) fortress is located eastwards of
Kardjali (Eastern Rhodope Mountain) over the village of Shiroko pole.
It is one of the biggest and well-fortified fortresses in the Rhodope
Mountain covering 50 decares land area. The external fortress wall is
built of stones soldered with plaster in a way following the curves of
the surrounding rocks. Some parts of the 7.8 meters high fortress wall
are still preserved.
Diavolska (Devil’s) Bridge
This bridge has been declared a monument of culture and is an outstanding work of architecture. It is a huge stone structure built over the narrowest part of the Arda River.
Consisting of three vault arches, the middle arch being 11m high and the lateral ones 7m.
The Devil's Throat
Set in the breathtaking Trigrad Gorge, this is a magnificent cave where a huge waterfall thunders down from the 'upper world' and dis
appears into the womb of the earth.
This is the place where Orpheus is said to have entered Hades in search of his wife.
The lake inside is evocative of the mythological River Styx that takes the dead to the underworld.
appears into the womb of the earth.This is the place where Orpheus is said to have entered Hades in search of his wife.
The lake inside is evocative of the mythological River Styx that takes the dead to the underworld.
Vkamenenite Gabi and Vkamenenata Syatba
“The Petrified Mushrooms”-This mushroom shaped natural phenomenon is formed from riolithe volcanic rock and is situated about 10km from Nikolovo.Their pink coloured spotted stumps and greenish hoods of 2.5 m are an amazing sight.
The Petrified Wedding Party
Another natural landmark approximately 15km from Nikolovo offers a wonderful sight carved by Nature.
Over millions of years the green, white and pink rocks have been carved by weathering to form shapes, which resemble people and animals attending a wedding procession.
Local stories relate this feature to a number of myths and legends.
Over millions of years the green, white and pink rocks have been carved by weathering to form shapes, which resemble people and animals attending a wedding procession.
Local stories relate this feature to a number of myths and legends.
Kardjali
Kardjali is a Municipality town and cultural centre.It offers theatres, museums, art galleries an observatory and library.
International cultural events are held in Kadjali and attended by Bulgarian and foreign people on an annual basis.
Situated in the Arda valley at 245m above sea level with three artificial lakes near by, Kadjali is 245km from the capitol Sofia and 410km from Varna.
It has been inhabited for over 8000 years.The town is currently developing into an attractive tourist centre with bars, cafes restaurants and quality shops supporting the natural and historical attractions.