Exploring beyond Sofia
Menu
  • Bulgaria
    • Ecopaths
    • One place – two seasons
    • Southwest region
      • Blagoevgrad region
      • Kyustendil region
      • Pernik region
      • Sofia region
    • Thracian – Rhodope region
      • Gabrovo region
      • Haskovo region
      • Kardzhali region
      • Lovech region
      • Pazardzhik region
      • Plovdiv region
      • Smolyan region
      • Stara Zagora region
    • Danube region
      • Pleven region
      • Silistra region
      • Vidin region
      • Vratsa region
    • Black Sea region
      • Burgas region
      • Dobrich region
      • Shumen region
      • Varna region
  • Abroad
    • France
      • Lyon
      • Strasbourg
      • Toulouse
    • Germany
    • Hungary
      • Budapest
    • Iceland
    • Italy
      • Florence
      • Genoа
      • Milan
      • Pisa
      • Siena
      • Turin
      • Venice
      • Verona
    • Netherlands
    • Portugal
      • Aveiro
      • Azores
      • Braga
      • Cascais
      • Coimbra
      • Évora
      • Guimaraes
      • Lisbon
      • Madeira
      • Óbidos
      • Porto
      • Sintra
    • Romania
    • Seychelles
    • Spain
      • Barcelona
      • Valencia
    • United Kingdom
      • Aberdeen
      • Edinburgh
  • Guests
  • About me
    • About me
    • Contacts
    • Collaboration
    • Blog life events
  • Български
Exploring beyond Sofia
  • Bulgaria
    • Ecopaths
    • One place – two seasons
    • Southwest region
      • Blagoevgrad region
      • Kyustendil region
      • Pernik region
      • Sofia region
    • Thracian – Rhodope region
      • Gabrovo region
      • Haskovo region
      • Kardzhali region
      • Lovech region
      • Pazardzhik region
      • Plovdiv region
      • Smolyan region
      • Stara Zagora region
    • Danube region
      • Pleven region
      • Silistra region
      • Vidin region
      • Vratsa region
    • Black Sea region
      • Burgas region
      • Dobrich region
      • Shumen region
      • Varna region
  • Abroad
    • France
      • Lyon
      • Strasbourg
      • Toulouse
    • Germany
    • Hungary
      • Budapest
    • Iceland
    • Italy
      • Florence
      • Genoа
      • Milan
      • Pisa
      • Siena
      • Turin
      • Venice
      • Verona
    • Netherlands
    • Portugal
      • Aveiro
      • Azores
      • Braga
      • Cascais
      • Coimbra
      • Évora
      • Guimaraes
      • Lisbon
      • Madeira
      • Óbidos
      • Porto
      • Sintra
    • Romania
    • Seychelles
    • Spain
      • Barcelona
      • Valencia
    • United Kingdom
      • Aberdeen
      • Edinburgh
  • Guests
  • About me
    • About me
    • Contacts
    • Collaboration
    • Blog life events
  • Български
Bulgaria, Pazardzhik region, Thracian - Rhodope region

Rhodope Mountains on the border with spring – Part One

posted by Dario
Apr 4, 2017 1212 0 0
Share

History in the bosom of the Rhodope Mountains

Ah, the Rhodopes, this is my first thought when I know that I will take a trip to my favourite mountain. Therefore, with great joy I was off to the next adventure with the task to travel to significant places at this part of Bulgaria.

Table of Contents

  • Fortress “Peristera”
  • Church ossuary “Sveta Nedelya“
  • Coming soon: “Rhodope Mountains on the border with spring – Part Two”

Fortress “Peristera”

Our first stop was the town of Peshtera, which is located 132 km away from Sofia. Our main goal in Peshtera was to visit the fortress “Peristera” which in Greek means “dove.”

It is located at the beginning of the city (if you are coming from the direction of Pazardzhik) on the hill “Sveta Petka“. The fortress dates back to the IV century and it is believed that it functioned until the VII century. Before being ravaged by enemies of the Byzantines. Playing the role of a citadel, which contained of inner city and defense gate with a total area of ​​about 15 acres.

Thanks to modern architecture and prolonged archaeological studies today visitors of the fortress can walk in to the completely reconstructed fortification system of the citadel of “Peristera“.

The new reconstruction is fully authentic version to the late ancient facility. At the same time you can see various open artifacts from the site, such as: pottery, used for storing food, as well as the typical of the time military clothing.

Useful information:
To reach the town of Peshtera you must take the road Sofia-Pazardjik and after that Pazardjik-Peshtera, the total distance is 132 kilometers;
Once you have reached the city there are well-marked signs that will direct you to Peristera;
The opening hours of the fortress:
May-October:
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 to 18:00
Friday – Sunday: 9:00 to 20:00
Day off: Monday
November to April:
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 to 16:30
Friday – Sunday: 9:00 to 17:00
Day off: Monday;
Entrance fee:
Entrance tax: 4 lev
For children under 18, students, seniors and adults with disabilities: 2 lev;
The place has a wonderful and rich flower garden and several pavilions where you can sit and enjoy the view to the vast Rodopi Mountains;
The staff are very nice and kind;
There is a large parking in front of the fortress, where you can leave your car;

Church ossuary “Sveta Nedelya“

After a nicely spent time in the town of Peshtera, we headed to another historical point in the area. It’s the town of Batak and its dramatic story that marked the Bulgarian history forever. We headed to the church ossuary “Sveta Nedelya“, which is located in the city center.

The structure is entirely built of stone, with oak doors and is surrounded by high stone walls. It was built in 1813 for only 75 days with labour from the entire population!
As you may know, Batak remained forever in the history of Bulgaria with one of the bloodiest events, the Batak massacre. So to this day at the very entry into the church you can feel light and oppressive coldness that is intertwined with drama and sadness on the walls of the church. A reinforcing effect of the whole atmosphere play  spots of blood on the walls and bullet holes on the stone pillars.

The church can also be seen a rutted “hole” that represented a well where mothers were desperately looked for water for their children during the three-day encirclement by the Turks.

The most defeating moment is when it comes to the two coffins filled with the remains of those Bulgarians who died in the name of Bulgaria.

All whole of this epic story demonstrates not only to Bulgarians but also to people beyond our borders that our ancestors possessed strong spirit and values ​​for which they fought at the cost of their life. This historic moment will be remembered as a symbol of rebellion and courage.

But most importantly, it will always remain the church that does not impress with its high architectural value or with murals, and has become “the little church of Batak, which you enter with your head down or the big church of Bulgaria, from which you come out with head up!“

Useful information:
The distance from Sofia to Batak is 147 km, and take the road Sofia-Pazardjik-Peshtera-Batak;
The car can be left it in the center and walk to the church;
Opening times vary between seasons:
Summer: 9:00 to 5:15 p.m.
Winter: 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 17:00
Every day;
Admission is free to all;
Ossuary church “St. Nedelya” has become a symbol of national freedom and serves to recall and prove to us and to the generations after us the strength of our national spirit;
I will allow myself with a modest request to speak to everyone reading this: at the shop on the front entrance are sold candles, buy one and light it at the temple in order to show your respect for the fallen Bulgarians in the name of freedom and values ​​of our people;

Coming soon: “Rhodope Mountains on the border with spring – Part Two”

Share

Previous

Adventure: Boris Bongolov in Belize

Next

Rhodope Mountains on the border with spring - Part Two

About me

Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

Subscribe

Be with me in every adventure!

* indicates required

legenddario

Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
Let’s dive in together into the amazing world of Let’s dive in together into the amazing world of Costa Rica! 🇨🇷

To many, Costa Rica’s charm lies in its lush rainforests, unspoiled beaches and abundance of wildlife. With breathtaking landscapes and a myriad of creatures – from toucans to monkeys to jaguars – it’s easy to see why. 

Where else can you hike active volcanoes, zip line through cloud-covered rainforests and surf warm turquoise waters within the span of just a few days? In this compact but diverse tropical paradise, exhilarating outdoor activities are abundant. 

Nature-seekers will roam thick jungles while beachgoers will sprawl across the powdery sands. It’s hard not to admire all the splendors this “Rich Coast” has to offer.

#CostaRica #PuraVida #LatinAmerica
Heading to the next stage of life ~ Since soon I Heading to the next stage of life ~

Since soon I will celebrate my 30th birthday, I’ve been reflecting back to the person I was when I entered my twenties, and while I still feel young at heart, I’ve evolved into a completely different person.

I must confess, I have mixed feelings about turning 30. While I cherish the memories and experiences I have gathered during this time, I have also however, had my share of setbacks. The most important aspect that has inspired me are the experiences that I have gathered during my travels. Meeting new people, understanding their culture and trying new cuisines have changed my perspective towards life in general. While I am still a child somewhere in my heart, turning 30 is a big deal because it is assumed that I am an adult now.

Here are my 30 most precious travel experiences before turning 30:

1. Exploring my home country.
2. Travelling solo.
3. Supporting small local businesses and entrepreneurs.
4. Learning a foreign language.
5. Saving money for traveling.
6. Making friends while traveling.
7. Cooking traditional dishes.
8. Trying traditional food everywhere I go.
9. Overcoming my fear.
10. Trying something new.
11. Travelling with family.
12. Travelling with friends.
13. Travelling for myself and not social media.
14. Going out my comfort zone -  uncomfortable makes life more comfortable.
15. Living in a foreign country.
16. Packing like a pro.
17. Visiting my (some of) dream destinations.
18. Falling in love in a foreign country.
19. Blending in with different cultures.
20. Taking a piece of every place with me.
21. Learning to say no (in different languages).
22. Learning to take decent pictures.
23. Documenting my trips.
24. Valuing experiences.
25. Making memories.
26. Rediscovering my favourite places.
27. Planning elaborate itineraries
28. Keeping it positive and never regretting to have climbed that mountain.
29. Some people around the world are born disadvantaged, not biologically, but socially.
30. Realising that the most incredible thing I can witness happens twice a day, and it’s free.

#life #20 #30
Your positive friendly reminder… Travel is, at Your positive friendly reminder…

Travel is, at its very essence, a tool – nothing more… nothing less. Broken down to its very essence, it becomes an instrument to fulfil our desires, attain new experiences and to discover a difference that is at least a step away from our local surroundings.

One thing that we can often forget is that travel also has the added benefit of helping us build a pretty solid amount of confidence too, something that we all stand to benefit from in the long-term, in our own personal development.

Follow this 5 simple steps and enjoy the best ways to develop your confidence, which can be learned whilst travelling:

✅ Be positive
✅ Embrace strengths
✅ Acknowledge weakness
✅ Listen to your head and heart
✅ Be an assertive traveller

#travelling #positivethoughts #confidence
The Life of a Traveler: What It Is Really Like Ha The Life of a Traveler: What It Is Really Like

Have you ever wondered what it is really like to travel often? Living the life of a traveler is full of paradoxes. Full of strange feelings. Full of grandiosity. Let me tell you what traveling is really like.

Choosing this life is more than a temporary escape. It will completely and entirely transform who you are.

So are you prepared for a journey of beauty, adventure and heartbreak? Read the next few rows.

✔️ Traveling is saying yes to life.
✔️ Uncertainty is a traveler’s homeland.
✔️ Traveling is a life of extremes.
✔️ About the unknown driving force.
✔️ Discomfort as a teacher.
✔️ Traveling is falling in love deeply with the world.
✔️ Always a stranger, but at home in the world.
✔️ Experiencing exhilarating freedom.
✔️ Understanding different perspectives.
✔️ In the life of a traveler, nothing lasts.
✔️ Travel teaches you everything.

This is what the life of a traveler is like: Be courageous. Follow the calling of your heart. It will lead you to a million places you would have never expected. And you will grow big. You will grow beautiful. You will grow so full of life it will make your heart burst with happiness. Some of us simply belong to the road.

#lifeofatraveler #travelthoughts #travelinspiration
The magic of Spain 🇪🇸 Double trouble - Dou The magic of Spain 🇪🇸 

Double trouble - Double S

Dive in the magnificent atmosphere of Segovia and Salamanca - two unique, original and beautiful cities 🌆
Photo dump Spain 🇪🇸 ⚔️ Portugal 🇵🇹 Photo dump Spain 🇪🇸 ⚔️ Portugal 🇵🇹 

#Spain #Portugal #adventure
Dear Portugal, I would never have pointed to a ma Dear Portugal,

I would never have pointed to a map and picked you. I wasn’t sure we would even like each other. I came with only a few belongings and even fewer expectations. But I had the desire to get to know you and see if I would stay. And like two people making an acquaintance at a dinner party, we searched for commonalities: exploring, an insatiable appetite for rice and seafood, a bond to the earth and the sea.

At first I fell for the little things. The promise of discovering new things every single day. That dazed feeling after a few glasses of fruity vinho verde. The melancholy while listening to Fado music. The rissois, natas and feijoada, the melt-in-your-mouth queijo fresco, delectable sardinha and unforgettable bacalhau. And surprisingly, even lamprey and percebe.

I loved the quiet irony of your lavish, impressive buildings next to your ancient, dilapidated houses. I even adored your temperamental weather, sunny in the morning and sometimes tempestuous in the afternoon.

And I loved your people. The grandmas dressed in black with their soft faces and culinary secrets. The fishermen with their old fashioned hats. The shopkeepers who actually mean it when they say “obrigada.”

And then I began to love you for your words, and the new feelings they gave name to.  For that elusive feeling of saudade –– untranslatable but described so accurately by the Portuguese writer Manuel de Melo: “a pleasure you suffer, an ailment you enjoy.” Or the chamego — the sense of intimacy, infatuation, and cuddling, all in one word.

Of course, there are things about you that I will probably never understand. You’re an old soul and I’m too juvenile. I’m impulsive whereas you are cautious and pensive. I have this incessant desire to be happy, but you have this habit of enjoying being triste.

But I’ve lived many lives in different parts of the world, I’ve been running around, not caring where I rest my head, not knowing where I’d end up. Perhaps I met you, Portugal, because something inside me had really been crying out for stillness, for a safe haven where I could finally become myself.

#Portugal #loveletter #Lisbon #porto
At the very lowest point on earth lies a natural w At the very lowest point on earth lies a natural wonder replete with a unique ecosystem, breathtaking desert views, and mineral treasures that have been attracting visitors for thousands of years: The Dead Sea. 

Located in the desert between Jordan and Israel, it is also the world’s deepest hypersaline lake. Although the high salinity of the water makes it almost impossible to dive.

#Jordan #sea #lake
Jordan’s Photo Dump 🇯🇴 #Jordan #album #A Jordan’s Photo Dump 🇯🇴 

#Jordan #album #Asia
Load more Follow me
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

You Might Also Like

Black Sea region, Bulgaria, Dobrich region
Oct 11, 2016

” Sunset breeze over the bay ” – Day Two

” Sunset breeze over the bay ” – Day Two The palace and botanical garden in Balchik Here it comes...

Read More
0 1
Bulgaria, Guests
Sep 8, 2020

The favorite places of the Bulgarian travel bloggers in Bulgaria 2020

Undoubtedly, this year has developed interesting. It somehow made us open our eyes wide and pay attention to the...

Read More
0 0

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Copyrights © 2023 Exploring beyond Sofia. All Rights Reserved
Back top
 

Loading Comments...