LANDSCAPE-HISTORICAL PARK “GRADISHTE”

The sanctuary is situated on a hill with a length of approximately 700 m.

On the 20-acre hill there are three prominent rocky climaxes. The hill is naturally protected, accessible only from the northwest. From all other directions it is surrounded by an impressive and picturesque canyon. At some places the rocks form bizarre and particularly attractive rock figures that can be likened to human profiles, animal figures, fish, turtles, and birds. There artificial leveling of rocks can be seen; gutters built in the rocks and the so called “sharapans”, which are usually associated with the religious beliefs of the Thracians and their pious tribulations. The sanctuary was discovered in the early spring of 2000 by the deceased Prof. Todor Boyadzhiev in one of his numerous trips to the Rhodope Mountains.  The first archaeological excavations took place in 2008 and prove that there are cultural traces of the prehistoric and ancient eras. As a result of the survey conducted, the site in the Gradishte locality was declared a real estate cultural property of national significance.

On the territory of the park there is a tourist information center, shelters with fireplaces, gazebos and camping area, a mud exposition complex “Chechy rocks”, including exhibits of 25 types of rock formations; educational boards, a restored Roman bridge, eco trails of a length of 6000m. with  platforms, bridges, benches, tables, railings, fortified stairs and regular stairs, information, educational and signboards and arrows, an alpine trail for extreme hike, etc. The site is socialized under the project “European Territorial Cooperation Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013”.