Amazing attractions of Kurdjali, Bulgaria

(TRAVPR.COM) BULGARIA - August 1st, 2013 - A recent tour organised by the municipality of Kurdjali cultural tourist information centre has revealed some hitherto undiscovered ancient sites in the Kurdjali region of south eastern Bulgaria, most notably the ancient ruin of Perperikon which has traces of civilization from the Bronze Age as well as ceramics dating from the early Iron Age.

Other notable attractions in this sunbaked, spectacularly beautiful but sparsely populated area – home to the country's large tobacco industry – include a wooden mosque, open to the public, built in 1438, and the wonderful Studen Kladenets Lake where visitors can enjoy a catamaran ride. Kurdjali history museum, housing an amazing variety of artefacts indigenous to the region, as well as traditional regional costumes, local delicacies and wooden and copper instruments down the ages, is also a must-see attraction.

Perperikon is a truly impressive site, a giant multi-storey palace and an imposing fortress built round a hill with walls as thick as 2.8m. The site, overlooking the Perpereshka River, even has a throne and an impressive round altar, almost 2m in diameter. The Romans used a pulley system to bring provisions up to the fortress.

Nearby, on the road between Haskovo and Kurdjali, is a very arresting natural phenomenon – the stone mushrooms in the village of Beli Plast. They are about 2.5m high, symmetrical rock pieces that resemble natural mushrooms with their pink stumps and greenish hoods. They are shaped from volcanic tuffs. It took thousands of years of erosion to produce this exceptional combination of unique shapes and colours.

One of the most enjoyable diversions for travellers in this area is a catamaran trip on the Studen Kladenets Lake. The Studen Kladenets reservoir is one of the largest in Bulgaria. Situated on the River Arda, 30km from Kurdjali, it is second in size only to Kurdjali dam. Around the lake are inaccessible towering hills of sunbaked scrubland with near vertical slopes plunging into the waters. Rare species of protected birds – vultures, eagle and falcons – fly overhead. Nearby the dam wall you can spot many waterfowl and deer grazing near the water’s edge.

Kurdjali’s regional history museum – opened to visitors from 1987 onwards – captures centuries of traditions and customs, in many ways unchanged with the passage of time. It has three sections: archaeology, ethnology and nature. Each section occupies a separate floor with rooms devoted to different themes. The museum illustrates the region’s agricultural practices. It has – among other exhibits – ploughs, tobacco plants, petrified stones, a reconstruction of a dairy and even some knotted motley stockings.

There’s also a wide display of iron instruments – dating from between the 9th and 14th centuries – pendants, petrified wood, amulets and traditional local earrings, bronze belts, buckles, candlesticks, clay pots and ceramics and even some Byzantine coins from the 14th century. You can find Christmas Eve snake-shaped bread rolls for Shrove tide (designed to ward off evil spirits) and a reconstruction of a shoemaker’s workshop and photos of regional bird-life as well as “cityscapes” of Kurdjali down the years. It is a truly fascinating museum offering intriguing insights into life in rural Bulgaria.

Tatul, a village in nearby Momchilgrad, is another – recently discovered – gem, a religious complex that makes for essential viewing on a trip to the region. It was shortly after 2000 that archaeologists discovered an ancient Thracian surface tomb and sanctuary close to the village. Latest archaeological finds date the earliest settlement to 4000 BCE. Some archaeologists think that the site is the sanctuary and tomb of an influential Thracian leader. Around 30 clay altar and other items from the 18-19th century have been excavated as well as a nude male figure from the Iron Age.

The area in the municipality of Kurdjali is predominantly Turkish. Minarets decorate the skyline throughout. One of the most historic places of worship is the wooden mosque “of seven girls” in Podkova, built in 1438. It’s made entirely out of wood, without using a single nail. According to legend, the temple was built by seven girls whose loved ones had not returned from war – hence the name. They sold their entire dowry to purchase materials and built the mosque in one night. The mosque was partially reconstructed in 2009 but again without the use of nails. Tourists are encouraged to visit the site and the worshippers are most welcoming.

A particularly charming hotel – a good base from which to explore the area – is the Trifon Zarezan, formerly a rambling Rhodope villa with wooden beams, hand-woven red rugs and wonderful views over Kurdjali Lake.

The area round Kurdjali will certainly open travellers’ eyes to parts of Bulgaria that are usually off limits to foreign tourists who tend to travel only to the Black Sea and surrounding areas.  This is an area rich in nature, culture and tradition that will make an everlasting impact on all visitors.

###