The Kardzhali province is the mysterious world of the Eastern Rhodope mountains where the earth is filled with ancient stone. Your first stop must be the holy city of Perperikon which is one of the largest archaeological sites in the Balkans. You can walk through a massive palace and a sanctuary carved directly into the rock on top of a high hill. This was a sacred place for the ancient Thracians who used the stone altars for their rituals thousands of years ago. The view from the top stretches over the entire Arda river valley.
Drive toward the town of Ardino to find the Devil’s Bridge which is a masterpiece of medieval engineering. This stone bridge spans the Arda river and is hidden deep within a narrow mountain gorge. You can park your car nearby and walk down to the river bank to see the perfect reflection of the arches in the water. Local legends say the devil’s footprint is hidden somewhere in the stones. The area is very quiet and surrounded by thick forests making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
End your journey through the south by visiting the Stone Wedding near the city of Kardzhali. These are natural rock formations that look like a group of people at a wedding ceremony. The soft volcanic rock has been eroded into strange shapes that are pink and yellow in color. You can walk among these stone figures and explore the small trails that lead through the hills. This province is a land of secrets where every rock seems to have a story from the ancient past.
Kardzhali (province) highlights
- Perperikon crowns a high hill as a holy stone city where kings once heard the future from an oracle. Walk through a palace carved directly into the rock to see giant water tanks and ancient altars. Explore one of the oldest and largest sacred sites found in the entire Balkan region.
- Devil’s Bridge spans a deep mountain gorge with a perfect reflection that creates a stone circle in the water. Follow a scenic road through the thick green forest to reach this famous medieval landmark. Enjoy the silence of the river valley where the stone bridge has stood for many centuries.
- Womb Cave features a rare temple shaped like a giant womb that catches a beam of sun at noon. Climb the steep hill to see this hidden gem which offers a wide view of the blue river below. View the unique shape of the rock which was carved by ancient hands for old rituals.
- The Stone Wedding presents pink and yellow rock shapes that look like a group of people at a ceremony. Legend says a curse turned the wedding guests to stone and you can walk among the tall figures. Find these unique formations right next to the road for a quick and interesting photo stop.
- Moniak Fortress occupies a high ruin with the best view of the local reservoir and the green peaks. Climb the steep path to see the water and the birds from the old stone walls of the castle. View the entire valley and the distant mountains from this high point in the southern range.
- Lisitsite Bridge hangs as the longest suspension bridge in the country over a wide and blue lake. Walk the swaying boards to reach a quiet village that has no roads for cars on the other side. Listen to the water and the wind in a very peaceful place that feels far away from city life.
- The Stone Mushrooms appear as strange volcanic rocks with brown tops and white stems in a green field. Find them right next to the road for a quick and fun photo of nature's unique carvings. See how wind and rain shaped the rock over thousands of years to create these figures.
- Arda River Meanders form sharp horseshoe bends in the water that look amazing from the high road. Pull over at many spots to see the blue river winding through the green hills and the woods. Capture a classic road trip view that shows the natural beauty of the southern mountains.
- Tatul Sanctuary holds a rock tomb of a legendary singer carved into a lone stone peak in the woods. Visit this sacred place from the time of the Thracians to see steps and altars cut in the rock. Experience a mysterious atmosphere in a site that has been used for rituals for many years.
- Studen Kladenets Reserve offers a wild area where you can spot deer and rare vultures in the open sky. Drive slowly to see the natural beauty of the southern mountains and the large lake nearby. Find many spots for a quiet break in nature while watching the wild animals in their home.
The local Four
History of Kardzhali (province)
Kardzhali is the City of Stones. The Eastern Rhodopes were the sacred heartland of the Thracians, who carved the mountain peaks into monumental altars. The crown jewel is Perperikon, a megalithic complex that was a holy city and royal palace 3,500 years ago. It is believed to be the site of the Temple of Dionysus, where Alexander the Great received a prophecy that he would conquer the world.
The province medieval history is a tale of strategic bridge building and mountain strongholds. The Devil Bridge, built in the 16th century over the Arda River, is an engineering marvel that has never been damaged by floods, despite its elegant, thin arch. The region unique identity comes from the mix of Christians and Muslims who have lived in these valleys for centuries, creating a Rhodopean Culture famous for its massive bagpipes and stone baked bread.
A road trip here is a journey through Natural Sculptures. You will pass the Stone Mushrooms and the Stone Wedding, volcanic tufa formations that look like figures frozen in time. Between the ruins of the Moniak Fortress and the turquoise meanders of the Arda River, the province offers a landscape that feels prehistoric. It is a place where the history is quite literally carved into the rock.