The Pazardzhik province is the premier wellness destination of the Balkans where hot mineral water flows freely from the earth. It is famous for the city of Velingrad which sits in a high mountain valley surrounded by thick pine forests. You can park your car and soak in thermal pools that have been used for healing since ancient times. The steam rises against the green hills creating a relaxing scene that is perfect for a mid-trip break. It is the best place to recharge your body before heading deeper into the mountains.
Drive up into the high Rhodope range to find the quiet waters of the Batak reservoir. This massive lake is surrounded by soft green meadows and is a favorite spot for camping and fishing. You can drive along the shore to find a quiet place for a picnic or a short hike in the fresh alpine air. The road offers wide views of the blue water reflecting the tall trees. It feels like a hidden mountain retreat far away from the busy highways of the lowlands.
The journey continues to the historic town of Panagyurishte where a massive gold treasure was found in the mud. You can see replicas of these nine gold vessels that belonged to an ancient Thracian king in the local museum. The town is also a symbol of the fight for freedom and features a giant stone monument on a hill overlooking the streets. You can walk up the wide steps to see the entire valley spread out below you. This province blends the luxury of spa waters with the grit of national history.
Pazardzhik (province) highlights
- Velingrad Spa serves as the mineral water capital with dozens of hot pools for a healing soak. Find luxury hotels and public baths that use the natural heat of the earth to relax the body. Spend a day at a pool to recover from a long road trip through the southern mountains.
- Batak Reservoir sits high in the hills surrounded by thick pine trees perfect for summer camping. Drive around the water to find quiet spots for fishing while smelling the fresh pine resin. Enjoy the cool air and the wide views of the lake from the many parking spots on the road.
- Panagyurishte Treasure displays nine gold vessels that belonged to ancient kings from many centuries ago. View the pure gold shaped like gods and animals with incredible detail and a bright shine. See one of the most famous gold treasures ever found in the entire world in this museum.
- Snezhanka Cave earns the name Pearl of the Rhodopes for the white crystal shapes found in the halls. Walk through a small space covered in delicate stone curtains and beautiful white rock flows. Follow a forest path to the entrance for a look at the mountains and the green valleys.
- Tsepina Fortress crowns a hilltop with ruins that offer a view of the misty southern mountain peaks. Walk through the old gates and see the foundations of a palace that once guarded the local road. Visit the small museum to learn about the stronghold that protected the heart of the range.
- Dospat Dam creates a huge blue lake on the high mountain road where you can buy fresh fish. Drive along the edge of the water for some of the best views found in the southern mountains. Follow the curve of the green mountain slopes as the lake stretches for many miles.
- Yundola Meadow marks the pass between two mountain ranges where locals sell forest honey and wild jam. Park in the wide green field to enjoy a walk in the fresh air and a mountain picnic. Visit this popular spot for a break before heading deeper into the high and green mountains.
- St. Petka Church stands as a unique wooden church in a village where time feels like it has stopped. See the local style of painting and the quiet life of the people living in the high hills. Visit this humble and peaceful place to feel the strong local spirit of the mountain community.
- Belmeken Dam reaches right into the sky as the highest reservoir in the Balkans with a high road. See snow on the peaks even in the spring while driving past the dark blue mountain water. Breathe the thin and clear air in a dramatic place that sits far above the clouds.
- Oborishte Site hides in a forest glade where the first national meeting was held many years ago. Walk the stone path through the trees to see the monument and the quiet mountain stream. Visit this sacred place for local history which remains very peaceful and quiet today.
The local Four
History of Pazardzhik (province)
Pazardzhik is the home of the Panagyurishte Gold Treasure. Discovered in 1949, this 6 kilogram hoard of pure gold consists of nine vessels shaped like gods and animals, representing the pinnacle of Thracian craftsmanship from the 4th century BC. This province was the heartland of the Odrysian Kingdom, the most powerful Thracian state, which controlled the trade routes through the fertile Maritsa valley.
The province played a tragic and heroic role in the April Uprising of 1876. The town of Panagyurishte was the rebellion capital, where the famous Silk Flag was sewn. The brutal suppression of the revolt here most notably in Batak, where thousands sought refuge in the stone church sparked international outrage that eventually led to the liberation of Bulgaria. The Batak Ossuary remains a somber site of national mourning.
For the modern traveler, the province offers the Velingrad Spa, the Mineral Water Capital of the Balkans, with over 80 springs. The high altitude Belmeken Dam and the Batak Reservoir offer stunning alpine scenery, while the Tsepina Fortress provides ruins with views of the Rhodopes. From the gold of kings to the blood of revolutionaries and the healing power of the water, Pazardzhik is a province of intense extremes.