POPINA LAKA WATERFALL

The waterfall in Popina Laka region is located in South Pirin along the Bashliytsa river, which together with Sarchaliytsa river form the beginning of the passing through the town of Sandanski Sandanska Bistritsa river.

The height of the waterfall is 14 meters and its waterflow doesn’t stop. It has two falls of the water between which there is a water space with a rock suitable for diving. On 11 October 1965 Popina Laka Waterfall was declared a natural landmark.

A local legend tells the story of its name. During the Ottoman Rule a young fervent monk, follower of Ivan Rilski, fascinated the local population. He opposed the Ottoman oppression and urged to disobedience and rebellion. Incited by the Greek clergy, the Ottoman kaymakam of the Melnik kaza (district) decided to destroy the rebellious cleric, declaring 5000 gold liras for his head. Gutev’s scouts found out about the attempt on the life of the priest and informed him. In a dark night he loaded his baggage and disappeared in the impenetrable recesses of the mountain. For his bivouac he chose a beautiful spot near the rapid mountain river with water as clean as a teardrop and a huge waterfall whose waters fell with unruled power and echoed the vicinity with an ugly roar. There, the man of God built a small cabin and planted rye and potatoes in the nearby meadow. He didn’t forget his work and often visited his followers who were scattered in the surrounding villages.

But a night came when the priest tired of wandering about came back to his cabin for a deserved rest. In the morning he was supposed to meet the people from the villages and coordinate the efforts in the fight against tyranny. But a treacherous soul was found and the monk was captured in his first sleep, he was bind and taken to the rocks above the waterfall. There he was beheaded and his body was thrown in the deep waters. In the morning his followers found his kilimyavka.