Rule No. 1 and only in Zarevo:
Create your own rhythm and tempo, do everything slowly and enjoy it!
The Rhodope Mountains and its legends
Rhodope Mountains – beautiful and mystical
“There is no person who can embrace the Rhodope Mountains at a glance. There is no peak to climb so that you can recognize it at a glance. You have to walk it and suffer it, and then you have to gather it in your heart and look at it – but you have to have the heart of an eagle. You can’t see the Rhodope Mountains with your eyes, you have to see it with your heart. With your eyes closed, inside yourself.”
“Time apart”, Anton Donchev
![[English] 770 434 anton donchev](https://glampingzarevo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/770-434-anton-donchev.jpg "[English] Adventures 1")
![[English] rodopi6](https://glampingzarevo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/rodopi6.jpg "[English] Adventures 2")
The Rhodopes are mysticism – there is no other mountain like this, which has gathered countless holy places, hidden many secrets, inspiring with its beauty and grandeur.
The Rhodope Mountains are a dream – of the unknown, of the undiscovered, of the different. The Rhodope Mountains are a promise – for good, for loyalty, for eternity. And most importantly, the Rhodope Mountains are love – for nature, for people, for our roots.
![[English] rodopi1](https://glampingzarevo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/rodopi1.jpg "[English] Adventures 3")
![[English] rodopi7](https://glampingzarevo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/rodopi7.png "[English] Adventures 4")
The magic of this fabulous place is in every blade of grass, every pebble along the way, in every breathtaking view, in every breeze of wind, in the rustle of centuries-old forests. Once you get there, you are overwhelmed by a sense of freedom and you will certainly not want to leave there!
The Rhodopes are mysticism – there is no other mountain like this, which has gathered countless holy places, hidden many secrets, inspiring with its beauty and grandeur.
The Rhodope Mountains are a dream – of the unknown, of the undiscovered, of the different. The Rhodope Mountains are a promise – for good, for loyalty, for eternity. And most importantly, the Rhodope Mountains are love – for nature, for people, for our roots.
The magic of this fabulous place is in every blade of grass, every pebble along the way, in every breathtaking view, in every breeze of wind, in the rustle of centuries-old forests.
Once you get there, you are overwhelmed by a sense of freedom and you will certainly not want to leave there!
Legends about the Rhodope Mountains
Old legends say that Rhodope was a girl, famous for her unprecedented beauty and liked by all the Gods. Everyone wanted it for themselves and tried to capture and steal it. People and gods came to see her, and as soon as they saw her, they instantly fell in love with her. God Hemus was especially jealous and did not want anyone but him to look at her. Unable to protect her from other people’s eyes, he petrified the beautiful girl and she became a mountain.
Another legend says that in place of the Rhodope Mountains there was a vast plain, which was dotted with beautiful roses. Zeus’ daughter Persephone often picked roses there with her retinue. During one of the walks, angry with his daughter, Zeus turned the most beautiful of her friends, Rhodope, into a mountain.
A Thracian legend tells that Rhodope was a mythical Thracian queen, and Hemus was her brother. They were children of a sea god. Once they decided to pretend to be the oldest Gods, whom they had heard that they had heard that they ruled over water and earth, birds and animals. The old God, the ruler of the world, when he understood, turned them into a mountain, and Hemus, when he saw his sister, was frightened and also petrified. Since then, the two have become mountains – Hemus (the Thracian name of the Balkan Mountains) and the Rhodopes. They stood far from each other, separated by a vast valley, this was their punishment.
Another legend says that the mountain was named the Rhodope Mountains by an Egyptian pharaoh after his favorite, who was born in these places. On a coin minted in Philippopolis (Plovdiv), the Rhodope Mountains are also depicted as a young and beautiful girl lying on a rock, she holds in her hand the eternal flower of the Rhodopes – the silivryaka.
There are probably more of the interesting legends that can be shared. If you have heard of them, we will be happy to share it with us.
If not, this is a good reason to visit this paradise on earth! It’s worth it!
Sources:
www.rodopchani.bg
Hiking
Walking tour to the "Panorama"
After a short one-hour walk, with a slight displacement, you will reach the Panorama - and voila - the beautiful Rhodope Mountains are in front of your eyes! The hike is easy, suitable for small children, and believe me – the view is worth it!
Mosquito stone
The first rifle cracked on Komarov Kamak during the legendary Balkan War of 1912. A monument is erected at the historical site in memory of the people of Perushti killed during the war. Shortly after the Panorama, in a beautiful pine grove is the monument itself
Verkhovrah Peak
A pleasant walk along an asphalt road will take you to Verhovrah hut, and from there in no more than 20 minutes you will reach the very peak - 1633 m. Verhovrah is a central peak, from which there are no enchanting panoramas, because it is quite densely forested, but the walk is among a nice pine forest and crystal clear air.
Village of Churen
One of the highest mountain villages in Bulgaria, at 1435 m above sea level, has only 7 inhabitants since the last census. The picturesque Rhodope village attracts us with its beautiful views and hospitable people. The big landmark of the village is the church, built with the own funds of Churentsi - "St. Prophet Elijah".
Car trips
The Red Church, Perushtitsa
Near Perushtitsa, a 700-meter pedestrian promenade leads to the church. The "Red Church" dates back to the beginning of the IV century. It was built next to an old pagan sanctuary, near the main thoroughfares from Thrace to the Aegean Sea and from Constantinople to Western Europe. And now the remains of the Christian temple, which functioned from the IV to the XIV century, rise majestically and revive the memory of a spectacular late antique and early medieval basilica with extremely rich decoration, with mosaic floors, marble cladding and frescoes.
Villa Justina Winery
Villa Yustina Winery is located on the outskirts of the Rhodope Yak in the village of Ustina, 26 km from Plovdiv, a region with a rich wine history. "Villa Yustina" was founded at the end of 2006 with the idea of building a small boutique wine cellar and offers high quality white and red wines, combined with beautiful nature.
Thracian Fortress Momitsa - Skobelevo
The approach to the fortress-sanctuary is along a path at the bend of the asphalt road to Skobelevo. The trail climbs the slope in the north direction, then turns left to the northwest on the ridge part and approaches the first low rocks of the complex. Then it continues to the right (along the eastern slope) of the complex under the rocks and gradually climbs up to reach the central meadow surrounded by rock groups. Immediately to the right (east) of the meadow is the main rock massif with processed rocks, altars and a wonderful panorama of the surrounding peaks and rock complexes. In the northern part of the complex, between the meadow and the forest, remains of the northern rampart, reaching directly to the vertical western rocks, can be seen. In the middle of the complex in its western part, in a small grove, there are also the remains of a rampart, and on a high ridge rock in its southern part is carved the largest altar. From there there is a wonderful panorama of the southern peaks, the village of Skobelevo and the rocky hills above it.
Information
| Point | M.N.V. | km. Distance | km. with accumulation | ascent/descent | Flooring | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Verkhovrah Chalet |
1514 |
0km |
0km |
+0 |
forest road |
+ |
|
Mosquito stone |
1719 |
4.1km |
4.1km |
+205 |
forest road |
+ |
|
Fork for Chereshka |
1620 |
2.6km |
6.7km |
-99 |
forest road |
+ |
|
Modar Hut (burned down) |
1648 |
1.6km |
8.5km |
+52 |
Trail |
+ |
|
Customs |
1665 |
5.5km |
14.0km |
+17 |
path ( +/- marking) |
– |
|
Persenk Chalet |
1715 |
3.0km |
17.0km |
+50 |
forest road |
– |
In the heart of the Rhodope Mountains. Fully furnished and comfortable tents nestled in a magical pine forest. A wild and authentic experience.