The Charm of the Rodopes
The
Rodopes are one of the most picturesque mountain ranges in
Bulgaria – situated in
South Bulgaria close to the border with
Greece. The mountains are mysterious and pretty with many lakes, serpentines and rock formations. Here, in this mountain was the birthplace of
Orpheus, who very likely wasn’t just a figure from ancient Greek mythology and a famous Thracian God, but a real person – a proper Thracian king. The mountain is very pretty anytime, but it is more famous because of winter
ski tourism in Bulgaria, the biggest resort being
Pamporovo. The summer is wonderful also because you can see wonderful views and places, caves and rock formations, historical towns and monasteries. And enjoy the famous tasty local cuisine. You probably know a lot about the famous ski resort
Pamporovo in Rodope, but for the prettiest places in the region, like the Wonderful Bridges and Trinigrad Zhdrelo, may be you have never heard?
Pamporovo is wonderful ski resort and shares the glory with the new star
Bansko and and the oldest ski resort
Borovets. Here there are many slopes for different abilities green, blue, red, black with varying lengths and difficulties. Also there are incredibly nice hotels, restaurants and pubs in both
Bulgarian and
English styles. After
Pamporovo, a few kilometres along the road to Devin, there is a little village – Stoikite – very pretty, and after it the world famous village of Shiroka luka. It is architecturally and musically famous – the beauty of these houses is obvious for everyone to see, and there is a National school for folklore music. Above Shiroka luka is the village of Gela with its wonderful views over the changing moods of the mountains. If you drive towards the Greek border you will reach an incredible place reminding you of the Grand Canyon in America , named Trigrad Gorge( Trigradsko Zhdrelo). The breathtaking view of the vertical rocks closing in on you will surely instill in you aa admiration of its beauty and perhaps fear, because the Gorge is very frightening. There is also a deep and frightening but incredible cave – The Devils Throat. Nearby is another famous and beautiful cave with stalactites and stalagmites – Jagodinska. Some cavers selebrate New Years Eve there inside the cave. Momchilovtsi is another very pretty village nearby.The pretty
Bulgarian houses there are world famous. There are a lot of nice villages with good properties for sale in that area.
