According to the evaluations, the biologic diversity is a basic resource for alternative tourism, as the Rhodopes are the biggest mountain massive in Bulgaria with the most representatives of flora and fauna and extraordinary potential of natural gifts. There are 7 natural reserves in the region, 5 protected areas, 24 natural landmarks. Here, remarkable paleo- and neo-endemism species for our country and for the Balkans can be observed, for example, a beautiful Rhodope orchid, the Orphic flower (silivryak) and many others herbs and flowers. “TAMNATA GORA” Nature Reserve The...    Find out more

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BACHKOVO MONASTERY The second largest Bulgarian monastery, the Bachkovo cloister, lies in the valley of the Chepelare river (also known by the locals as Chaya), about 10km to the south of the town of Assenovgrad. On all sides, the monastery is surrounded by the hills of the Rhodopi mountain, which together with its size and ancient spirit make is one of the most visited monasteries in Bulgaria. The monastery was founded in 1083 by the Byzantine military commander of Georgian origin, Grigorii Bakuriani and his brother Abazii. Yet only the two-storey bone-vault, which lies about 300m...    Find out more

Asenova Krepost / Asen's Fortress Asenova krepost (Bulgarian: Асенова крепост, "Asen's Fortress") is a medieval fortress in the Bulgarian Rhodope Mountains, 2-3 km south of the town of Asenovgrad, on a high rocky ridge on the left bank of the Asenitsa River. The earliest archaeological findings date from the time of the Thracians, the area of the fortress being also inhabited during the Ancient Roman and Early Byzantine period. The fortress gained importance in the Middle Ages, first mentioned in the statute of the Bachkovo Monastery as Petrich (Петрич) in the 11th...    Find out more

There are many rocks and rock formations scattered across the Rhodope Mountains that amaze with their beautiful and sometimes fantastic shapes. There are legends told about some, while others were parts of Thracian sanctuaries and religious complexes and still keep the spirit and the energy of the ancient ceremonies. What unites them all is that if you ever step in these mountains you should not miss the chance explore them and enjoy the imagination of the Nature that created them. THE MARVELOUS BRIDGES / THE WONDERFUL BRIDGES The Marvelous Bridges (also known as the Wonderful...    Find out more

THE SNEZHANKA CAVE Snezhanka (Bulgarian: Снежанка, "Snow White") is a cave located in the Rhodope Mountains, some 5 km away from the town of Peshtera, southern Bulgaria. In modern times it was discovered in 1961. Despite its low negotiability (about half an hour uphill), some of the most beautiful cave formations in Bulgaria can be seen inside. The cave is relatively small. It is only 145 metres long, with a constant annual temperature of 6°C, and was formed by the Novomahlenska River 3.5 million years ago. The cave is rich in stalactites, stalagmites, draperies and little...    Find out more