Location: Kardzhali
Top Things to do in Kardzhali
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Top 5 Things to do in Kardzhali, Bulgaria
Kardzhali (Bulgarian: Кърджали, Kǎrdžali; Turkish: Kırcaali; Greek: Κάρτζαλι, Kártzali), sometimes spelt Kardzali or Kurdzhali, is a town in the Eastern Rhodopes in Bulgaria, centre of Kardzhali Municipality and Kardzhali Province. The noted Kardzhali Dam is located nearby.
Restaurants in Kardzhali
1. Perperikon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By StellaDimova - Sofia, Bulgaria
You have to see it to believe it. This is a great, magical old Thracian city with rich history and beautiful surroundings. The persistent work of archeologists pays off and new discoveries are being revealed literally every year. Last year's find is the base of an entire basilica built by the Romans. Hire a guide and they will take you through centuries of stories related to the place and will reveal to you its incredible energy. Overall very enriching experience. Tours available both in Bulgarian, and in English. Highly recommended!!!
2. The Petrified Wedding
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By DanSSwing - Stuttgart, Germany
Stone Wedding is about a one-hour hike, mostly on paved roads, from the Kardzhali bus station. I haven't seen any decent directions to it so I'll give them here. From the large traffic circle in front of the bus station, look to your 10 o'clock and start walking up Belomorski Blvd. After almost a kilometer, turn right on General Vladimir Stoichev Street. This will take you uphill and out into the Mountains. Shortly after you cross a bridge, the road will split. You can get to Stone Wedding from either direction. Continuing straight is the easiest and will approach the formation from the bottom. This trail-head is clearly marked from the road and will go down into some trees then weave around the west side of the rock formation and give you some easy paths up the rocks to get better views of it. If you were to turn left when the road splits, it would eventually curve right but you'd want a smartphone with loaded map and GPS to help navigate you to the site from there because I didn't see any directions on that road. If you go in rainy weather, be aware that some clumps of mud may look exactly like rocks, so be careful before committing to a step.
3. Thracian sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By niki101 - London, United Kingdom
This is an absolutely amazing place to go to. After visiting Perperikon (another ancient Thracian sacred place only 42 km away from here), we came to this complex and were stunned by what we saw.
The easiest way to get there is by car. There is a car park where you can leave the car and then a small alleyway takes you to the sanctuary. The village of Tatul itself is a quiet place with a population of 189 people only. We met two local men; one of them was sweeping the street that leads to the Thracian complex.
This sanctuary that reveals to your eyes is one of the most imposing megalithic monuments discovered on the territory of Bulgaria, and as such, one of the unique monuments in Europe.
The sanctuary is a massive rock structure and its top is a truncated pyramid. There are two tombs hewn into the rock on the top of the hill and eight stairs in the rock that lead to them. The Tatul Sanctuary existed as early as 15-16 BC. The main part was constructed in the Late Bronze Age (between the 7th and 9th century BC).
Besides being a sacrificial sanctuary, Tatul was probably a site for observation of the Sun. The Thracians were known for their extensive knowledge of astronomy. According to the Greek chroniclers, the Thracian priests knew 500 stars by their names and synchronized their calendar with the movement of the heavenly bodies.
The place is also called The Sanctuary of Orpheus, the legendary Thracian singer and musician. Legend has it that this is the tomb of Orpheus.
While sitting on the rocks you get the feeling the place is sacred and blessed. It is of great historical significance and it is one of those places in the world that makes us think about the people who inhabited those lands for centuries before us.
The place also makes us admire the technical advancement with which these civilizations built these facilities which remain strong and stable for millennia. There is one special event that happens once a year during the winter solstice: this is the consistent passage of a sunbeam through a particular gap in the rocks.
We left the place not only with many memories taken with our camera. We also felt spiritualized.
4. St. John the Baptist
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Jan2665 - Bleiswijk
The foundation and lower parts of this church were found by incidence, after it had been buried for centuries. Now it is reconstructed completely and offers a beautiful and serene interior.
5. Regional History Museum Kardjali
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Christian G - Sofia, Bulgaria
The museum is a discovery by itself. Situated in an impressive old building with enormous exhibition of ancient and Thracian times artefacts, definitely worth a visit.
You can see the original stone altar from Perpericon and many other interesting old things.
Parking is free and close to the museum.
My advice is to visit the museum before you start your tourist visit of the region.
