The Rhodopes

The Rhodopes are the vastest mountain range in Bulgaria. It did not freeze during the Ice Age and that is why it lacks the sharp crags, which are inherent to Rila and Pirin.

By relief characteristics, the Rhodopes can be divided into Western (high) and Eastern (low). On the territory of the mountain there are more than 2000 superior plants, 90 of which are under severe threat of extinction. In the Eastern Rhodopes are observed low-growing plants like the Italian oak, hornbeam, Christ’s thorn, red juniper, etc. In the Western Rhodopes can be seen spruce, white pine, pitch pine, as well as beech tree.

In the Rhodopes there are a lot of artificial lakes – Lake Dospat, Lake Shiroka Polyana, Lake Batak, Lake Studen Kladenets, etc.

The mineral springs are another one of its riches of this mountain. Velingrad, Narechenski Bani, Devin, and Banite offer wonderful conditions for treatment and recreation. For those who like snow and skiing, there are the resorts of Pamporovo and Tsigov Chark. For those who like to marvel at the beauty of the Rhodopes, they can visit Yundola, the Trigrad gorge, the Wonderful bridges, Belintash, the Devil’s Bridge, and the caves Snezhanka, Diavolskoto garlo, Yagodinska and Uhlovitsa.

The rich history of this mountain I srevealed by a number of archeological excavations - (Perperikon), fortresses (Tsepina, Ustra), as well as places for worship (Bachkovski monastery, Krastova Gora).