The Eastern Rhodopes - a wealth of history and natural landmarks

The Eastern Rhodopes - a wealth of history and natural landmarks

Kardzhali - the heart of the Eastern Rhodopes

Kardzhali is one of the largest cities in Bulgaria. The city itself is distinguished by its architecture, history and many attractions. Kardzhali has a population of 43,263 people according to data for 2018. It is located in the heart of the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, on both banks of the Arda River. About 15 km from the city is the ancient rock town of Perperek (also called Perperikon) - a monument of immovable cultural heritage of national importance. The Pan-European Transport Corridor 9 passes through Kardzhali through the Makaza Pass. It is believed that the first inhabitants of these places were the ancestors of the Thracians. In the Middle Ages, on the site of today's Kardzhali, there was a town in the region of Ahrida, which is considered to be an episcopal Christian center. It is assumed that the name of the town may be from the old Bulgarian word "kartchag" - jug, clay / ceramic vessel, related to the words "pot" and "pot". This is how Karchag-li (Karchag-li) is formed, meaning: Granchari, Grancharovo. The name of the city is also associated with the idea of ​​a field, levels.

History

In the 6th century, Slavs and Bulgarians settled along the middle reaches of the Arda River. The prototype of Kardzhali is considered to be the existing in the IX - XIV century on the territory of today's town settlement and fortress Visegrad (also called Upper Fortress). Due to its important strategic and economic importance, the Eastern Rhodopes were constantly subjected to enemy invasions, both by the Romans and the Turkish hordes. During the Balkan War, after the victory of the Bulgarian army in the battle of Kardzhali near it in 1912, the city was liberated and finally remained in Bulgaria. A monument to the liberators has been erected in the center. From the past, the tobacco trade has been a major industry for the city. The RIM building in Kardzhali was built in the early 20th century by the architect of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia - Prof. Alexander Pomerantsev. It is in neo-Moorish style. Due to its unique appearance it is a cultural monument of national importance. The museum has a rich collection, and the focus of the archeological exposition are the finds from the remarkable Perperikon.

Landmarks

Kardzhali Monastery - fortified with a fortress wall and towers, an early Christian complex with the church of St. John the Baptist is on the list of 100 national tourist sites. The ensemble dates back to the VI - VII century. Very few buildings remain today. The church "St. George the Victorious "was built in the early twentieth century, located in the city center, and in the Orthodox spiritual center" Assumption "are fragments of the Holy Cross, found in one of the crosses reliquaries from Perperikon.

Perperikon

Perperion is close to the Perpereshka River. The archeological complex was described as early as 1930, but became popular in the research of Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov. Now there is an increased tourist interest in the cult complex. The ancient inhabitants of these lands have believed in the Sun God since time immemorial. According to legend, two fateful prophecies were made from the altar of Perperikon. The first foretold the great conquests and glory of Alexander the Great, and the second foretold the power of the first Roman emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian Augustus.

 

The Thracian sanctuary near the village of Tatul

The Thracian sanctuary near the village of Tatul, Momchilgrad municipality is a rock massif, and its top - a truncated pyramid. Hundreds of cult objects were found - clay human idols and spindle vertebrae, models of vessels, bronze objects, images of the Sun God.

Orlovi Skali (Eagle Rocks) a unique Thracian sanctuary

Orlovi Skali is a Thracian sanctuary. The rock niches are cult places where the Thracians laid the urns of the dead. There are a total of 97 niches. The water mirror. The facility is an artificial canal along the Arda River in the part passing through the city. Its main purpose is to conduct large amounts of water in the event of an emergency drainage of the Kardzhali dam without causing damage to people and buildings. It is also used for water sports.

 
Kamenni Gabi (Stone Mushrooms) – Natural Landmark

The natural landmark is a group of stone pyramids and resembles a wedding procession. The figures are different in shape and size. According to legend, a young handsome young man fell in love with a girl from a neighboring village. His father bought the beauty and they had a big wedding. They took the girl and went to Zimzelen village. The bride had her face covered. The father-in-law was walking next to her, but a wind blew and found the bride's face. Her father-in-law was dumbfounded by her beauty, and unclean thoughts came to him. Realizing this, the wind blew and petrified the bride, father-in-law and the whole wedding.

The rock window

This natural landmark is located in Golemiya Dol locality in the village of Kostino. It is a natural form formed under the influence of the lush ravine passing under it - a rock bridge hanging in the air, supported by two columns with a canvas cut on all sides. The height of the bridge is about 10 m, the length is 15 m and the width is 7 m, the thickness of the road is 1.5 m. The Devil's Bridge (Sheitan Kupriya) on the Arda River is also interesting. It is located in a picturesque gorge about 10 km northwest of the town of Ardino. The bridge was built in 1515-1518 on the remains of a Roman bridge.

Haskovo

The town of Haskovo has a thousand-year history. On the territory of the municipality of the same name is one of the most impressive Thracian tombs - Alexandrovska. An integral part of the city is the world's tallest statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Infant. Among the other monuments is the monument of Captain Petko Voivoda.