The bridge impresses with its grand dimensions and asymmetrical stonework. The bridge lies on one of the most important routes, which during the 18th century passed through the Eastern Rhodopes and connected Plovdiv to Komotini, while passing through Asenovgrad, Kardzhali, Momchilgrad and the Makaza Pass. The route of the path passes through very difficult mountain terrain, passes the steep shores of the Arda River and her tributaries, the rivers Varbitsa, Borovitsa, Krumovitsa, Byala River and others.

Reaching the village Nenkovo, the route of the road requires crossing the river Borovitsa, whose bed is too wide, which is too full during snowmelt and heavy rains. This is also the reason why the route of the road crosses the river on a multi-arched bridge. Three openings and one relief have been preserved from the bridge. It is obstructed by deposits of gravel carried by the river, preventing the determination of the height of the arches or the visibility of the foundations of the piers. Its length is 59 meters, and the width of the roadway is 2.90 meters. It is constructed of rough river stone bonded with mortar. Only the friezes above the openings are made of dressed stone. The pavement is cobblestone. In the upper part of the frieze, on the central opening, the year of construction is inscribed in Arabic numerals.

The numerals are carved on the surface of a stone located on the northern side of the bridge,
to the left of the keystone. The inscribed year is 1195, which corresponds to 1780–1781 in the current calendar. On the side frieze of the smallest preserved opening, two handprints are engraved. It is believed that this might be the "signature" left by the anonymous builder. (Alexander Antonov, Stone Bridges in Bulgaria, 15th–20th Century, 2019, p. 128–130))
There are local legends suggesting that gold was buried in the foundations of the bridge, and
parts of the stones in its base were excavated by people searching for treasure. Its eastern and western sections have been rebuilt and repaired in modern times due to such intrusions and the river’s strong currents during flood seasons.
The small Rhodope village of Nenkovo seems frozen in time, with its tranquility and serenity, inhabited by a few remaining but friendly elderly residents who live a life outside of the usual passage of time, connected to the land and nature. But walking through its narrow cobblestone streets, between old stone houses with tile roofs hiding stories of lives lived in the past century, one is enchanted by the preserved quiet and mystical atmosphere of this place. Contributing to this unique charm is the fact that the village's only connection to the outside world is a rope bridge at its entrance.This bridge resembles, in design, , the well-known rope bridge (over the Varbitsa River)
Lisitsite village, Kardzhali municipality (located on one bank of the Studen Kladenets Reservoir),
though it is smaller in scale.
To reach the stone bridge near the village of Nenkovo, starting from Kardzhali, in the
direction of the Kardzhali Reservoir, the route passes through the village of Sredinka, then continues through the villages of Enchetz, Zelenikovo, Blenika, Penyovo, Dazhdovnitsa, and Padartsi. The route passes thourgh some of the most beautiful views of the Kardzhali Reservoir, as well as the valley of the Borovitsa River and the vivid green peaks of Bezdiven (1,140 m), Radimar, and Chilyaka (1,459 m). Shortly after the village of Dazhdovnitsa, even from the asphalt road, at one of the bends, there is a view of the carved rock niches located high up on the inaccessible vertical cliffs. After Padartsi, the route passes near the pleasant Borovitsa Lodge, and 5 kilometers south of Nenkovo, on the right side of the road, there is a sign for the Utroba Cave..

Материалът Каменен мост при с. Ненково е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

To reach the medieval Krivus Fortress from the village of Bashevo, you need to follow a marked trail that starts at the northwest end of the village. This trail leads you through shrubs and forest, and along the way, you can see the remnants of the fortress walls. The return journey follows the same route.

Материалът Крепост Кривус е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

High above Podkova Village stands the minaret of the wooden mosque, known as the "Mosque of the Seven Maidens." This sacred site plays a central role in the life of the local community, which is mainly composed of Bulgarian Muslims and Turks, who follow Islam. The mosque is open to all visitors, who wish to enjoy its beautiful yard and interior (if you want to enter, you must take off your shoes).

Although the date of the mosque's construction is well-known to be 1428, the details of its history remain largely unknown. Nevertheless, every year on May 6, during the Muslim spring holiday of Hıdırellez (which coincides with Bulgaria's St. George's Day), thousands of visitors from across Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and even Western Europe gather at the mosque.

In 2009, the mosque was restored using traditional building techniques and was declared as a cultural monument and the 24-meter-high wooden minaret was built in 2018. Interestingly, local residents consider the legend of the Seven Maidens to be a historical fact. They believe that these girls, whose fiancés never returned from war, sold their dowries and built the mosque in one night without using any iron nails. The legend, passed down through generations, has become an inseparable part of the history of this unique place.

Today, to express their gratitude for the feat and sacrifice of the Seven Maidens, the people of Podkova have created seven symbolic graves, known as cenotaphs, one for each maiden.

Near the mosque lies the village cemetery, which is covered with healing stones. There, you’ll find the "Hole Stone" or "Demetlikaya" in Turkish, which, according to local beliefs, can cure various diseases, including infertility. The only condition is that you must pass through the hole three times in a counterclockwise direction, preferably on May 6, when the mystical healing powers of the place are believed to be at their strongest.

Материалът Дървената джамия в село Подкова е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

Climbing Mount Monyak (586 m) is worth it for the incredible view you will be able to enjoy. The steep cliffs, which are also inhabited by vultures, the Studen Kladenets dam, the town of Kardzhali and the enchanting Eastern Rhodopes are part of what will delight your eyes from the top.

From Monek you can also see Visegrad Fortress.

The trail to the top is well marked. In the summer, bring plenty of water as there are sections where there is no shade.

The history of the fortress guarding the peak for centuries is just as captivating and enchanting as the view from the high rocks. According to available medieval sources, the largest city in Ahridos during the 12th-14th centuries was the fortress of Mneakos, located in the valley of the Middle Arda, east of the town of Kardzhali. The ruins of the large fortress above the village of Shiroko Pole are in optical visibility and have a direct line of sight to the episcopal center in the "Veselchani" neighbourhood . A little further away, near the current village of Vishegrad, 2 km from the large stronghold, there is another fortress, whose walls are still excellently preserved today (known among the people as the Vishegrad Fortress). Together with Perperikon, Mneakos is the most well-documented fortress in the Eastern Rhodopes according to historical sources. It is mentioned in the "History" by Georgi Akropolit, which describes the Bulgarian-Byzantine war of 1254-1255, one of the sources that best depict the situation in the Central and Eastern Rhodopes during the 13th century. However, unlike Perperikon, Mneakos is noted in a non-Greek source referring to the first decade of the 13th century, concerning the events surrounding the Bulgarian-Latin wars of 1205-1207, as described by the French chronicler Geoffroy de Villehardouin. He describes in great detail that it was indeed under Mneakos, in the fertile and picturesque valley of the Art (Arda) River, where the Latins set up their camp and learned for certain about the death of the first Latin Emperor Baldwin in Tarnovo. Here, beneath the fortress itself, the baronial council of the Latin Empire gathered and elected Anry as the new emperor. It is believed that Mneakos is also mentioned in another earlier Western European source describing the history of the Third Crusade (1189-1192). During that time, the outlaws rampaging in Thrace conducted plundering raids in the region of Philippopolis-Adrianople-Didymoteicho. If the information presented in the source indeed refers to Mneakos, it would represent the earliest mention of the medieval
stronghold in the Eastern Rhodopes.

Considering that Mneakos was the administrative
center of Ahridos during the 13th-14th centuries, according to historical sources, several notable governors resided there. From 1993 to 1996, archaeological excavations and comprehensive geophysical surveys were conducted at the fortress. These were a continuation of the partial soundings carried out by I. Balkanski in 1972-1973. At the foot of the high hill, remnants of monuments from various eras were found, including rock tombs and hewn Thracian niches.

The stronghold consists of two separate defensive sections: an outer city and a citadel at the highest point. The medieval fortress is situated on an extremely steep, rocky peak, with three of its sides being sheer cliffs towering hundreds of meters above the surrounding Arda River. It is one of the highest fortresses in Bulgaria, with the peak reaching 586.7 meters above sea level. Additionally, it is one of the largest fortresses in the country, covering an area exceeding 20,000 square meters. Along its longest axis, Mneakos stretches nearly 0.5 km. The fortress wall encloses about half of the city in the more accessible western, southwestern, and northern directions. To the northeast and southeast, the terrain drops into sheer cliffs, making fortifications unnecessary. The fortress wall is characteristic of the medieval era, built from roughly cut stones bonded with strong white mortar. The foundations of the wall rest directly on the rock, which was carved in places for better adhesion. On the vulnerable western and northern sides, the fortress wall was thicker and likely higher, whereas, on the steep and inaccessible southwestern cliffs, it was thinner and considerably lower. At its peak, the fortress was an impressive and picturesque sight, with its walls rising to incredible heights. In its completed form, the city of Mneakos had three towers, positioned around the entrance area and to the southeast of it. This does not include the numerous towers of the inner castle, which occupied the easternmost part of the fortress and defended the eastern approach. The fortress gate was located in the lower western corner of the stronghold, the most accessible area, from which a road cut into the rock led downward. The main defensive structure guarding the entrance was a massive hollow tower with an irregular trapezoidal plan. Excavations have revealed that the tower was coated externally with a white lime plaster, applied in a way that left the large rounded stones partially exposed, creating a decorative mosaic-like effect. The interior of the tower was divided into multiple levels, accessible via wooden stairs. Today, the ruins of this structure rise to a height of 5.2 meters. The width of the fortress entrance can only be estimated at approximately 3 to 3.2 meters. It was likely a double-winged gate, made of solid wooden panels reinforced with large, diamond-shaped iron nails with sharp spikes. From the inside, the gate was secured with a massive wooden bar. The approach to the tower and the battlement walkway was via a massive staircase attached to the inner side of the fortress wall. At a slightly later stage in the history of Mneakos, a second, solid corner tower with an irregular trapezoidal plan was built along the fortress wall, to the northwest of the gate. This addition formed a classic gateway defense with two flanking towers. The third tower of the city was constructed along the southern section of the fortress wall. Although this part appeared nearly impregnable due to the steep slopes and scree descending toward the Arda River, a careful examination reveals a narrow approach that, though difficult, could allow access to the fortress. The tower was relatively small, solid, and rectangular in shape. It was likely used as a watchtower due to its excellent vantage point over the valley.

Fifty meters north of the fortress entrance, outside its walls, the inhabitants built a large water reservoir, which was uncovered during excavations. The cistern utilized a natural rock fracture, which was further carved to form a rectangular shape. The basin was lined with rubble stones, generously bonded with white mortar. It was filled with water from a small lake located about a hundred meters away, beneath the fortress wall. To facilitate this, a clay pipe aqueduct was constructed, as evidenced by fragments found on-site. Additionally, the reservoir was supplied by rainwater. Inside the fortress, another water collection basin was discovered in the basement of a large multi-story building, situated about seventy meters southwest of the inner fortifications. This structure, first recorded by Iv. Balkanski and later studied, had an excellent southern exposure while being well-protected from northern winds by the surrounding rocks. Its proximity to the citadel and the findings from archaeological excavations suggest that a high-ranking individual, possibly the garrison commander, resided there. In some areas, the carved rock itself served as a wall for the basement level, with grooves cut into the stone to support the now-lost upper walls. In other sections, the walls were constructed from rubble stone, bound with white mortar. The floor was made of natural rock, meticulously leveled with chisels and covered with a thick layer of waterproof mortar mixed with crushed brick and fragments of ceramic vessels. This basement was used for storing drinking water, collected through a well-designed catchment system. Rainwater was skillfully directed into the cistern through a network of channels.

A second large building in the city was also discovered, located about 50 m east of the main gate. Like the first, this building also used a natural rock fault, where a basement was formed. This building probably had several floors. In order to form the basement, the walls of the rock fault were also carved and leveled and subsequently lined with walls, as the floor, after the rock was cut and leveled, was covered with flat bricks, poured with mortar. Given the ceramic vessels found in the basement (amphorae, pitchers, pots, cups), it was probably a huge food warehouse. The southern terrace at the top impresses with its convenient location for living, which has also been proven during archaeological excavations. During the research, numerous household items were found there (spindle vertebrae, awls, knives, needles, bells, flints, lead weights, a water bucket, ceramic vessels), numerous animal bones, spear and arrowheads, bronze coins, clothing decorations (bronze and iron appliqués), fragments of a bronze ring, a bronze bracelet, iron buckles (for military belts), as well as hundreds of iron nails that were used in the construction of wooden buildings and fastened the massive beams and boards in them. Entire families lived there with their household goods and farm tools, and the men were probably warriors. The inner "castle" of Mneakos is perched on the highest eastern part of the fortified hill. It is a very important link in the overall fortification of the city, because it blocks the relatively vulnerable eastern and southeastern directions. The inner fortification covers an area of ​​2000 sq. m. Following the configuration of the terrain, the fortress has acquired oval outlines. The defensive walls of the citadel are thinner than those of the city itself, but the construction method is not particularly different - quarry stones, bonded with white mortar. There are five towers built along the fortress walls of the citadel, they are solid and are built similarly to the fortress wall from quarry stones on mortar. The northern tower is the only semicircular one, the others, the northwestern, western and southeastern, have an irregular quadrangular plan, as the southern tower is completely defaced and today its plan can only be restored by assumptions. It is not excluded that there was another tower on the completely destroyed southwestern section of the fortress wall. The gate (which has a rather complex structure) of the inner castle, which is located in the northwestern part of the fortress wall and leads to the city, is well preserved. It is flanked by the semicircular and nearby quadrangular towers. The gate was probably double-winged, on the outer side of which, like the main city gate, nails with wide heads were driven for reinforcement and decorative decoration, and there was probably an arch above it, formed of limestone blocks and bricks, conclusions based on the materials discovered during the archaeological excavations. Like the other two studied buildings in the city, one was also discovered here, and for it a natural rock fault was also used, which was further processed, by placing a rectangular building built of broken stones bonded with white mortar in it. Fragments of hydrophobic plaster were found in it, which gives reason to assume that the lower floor was used as a water reservoir or warehouse. Certainly, in addition to the studied quadrangular building, there are other buildings there. In this regard, the information of Iv. Balkanski, that during excavations 30 years ago, several Christian burials with pectoral crosses made of some mineral were unearthed. This suggests the existence of a church in the citadel. We could mention here that several other similar citadels were explored in the Eastern Rhodopes at the time, such as that of Mneakos, near Ustra, Vishegrad and Bashevo. Mneakos is a typical military fortress, inhabited in peacetime by a small garrison and craftsmen associated with its maintenance. The population lived in unfortified quarters and settlements at the foot of the peak and by the river. (Literature: N. Ovcharov, D. Kodzhamanova, Perperikon and the surrounding fortresses during the Middle Ages, Fortress construction in the Eastern Rhodopes, 2003)

But in the end, every story told and every historical fact loses its meaning at some point. Just as it does not matter which path you take to the summit—whether you follow the old road to the right at the entrance of Shiroko Pole or take the turnoff to the right on the main road from Kardzhali, marked by the brown signposts for historical and other landmarks. The breathtaking view and the intoxicating feeling that centuries ago, others stood in this very spot—at the top of the rock, gazing into the vast Rhodope Mountains, admiring the same vibrant and picturesque landscape, perhaps even in their final moments—immerse every visitor in an enchanting atmosphere. It fills them with energy, leaving them speechless and longing to return again and again to this fairytale-like place, this small but magnificent part of our beautiful country.

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Материалът Връх и крепост Моняк (Монек) е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

From the town of Kardzhali, head south towards Momchilgrad. About 5 minutes after leaving the town, take the turnoff for the village of Gluhar. From there, follow the signs (or your GPS) to the village of Visegrad. The distance from Kardzhali to Visegrad is approximately 12 km, which takes about 15–20 minutes by car.

About Visegrad Fortress

Visegrad Fortress, whose name derives from the Slavic language and means ‘high city’, is an important historical monument with a long and interesting history. Its name is typical of fortresses in various Slavic countries, where it often denotes fortifications located on high places.

Historical Origins

Built between the 4th century BCE and the 1st century CE, Visegrad Fortress was a strategically significant site. Covering an area of 562 square meters, it controlled the main route in the region and served as the residence of the governor of the Ahridos area. Its structure and scale resemble a medieval feudal castle, making it an impressive example of military architecture from that era.

Archaeological Excavations

The fortress is located on a sharp peak called “Kamenen Harman” (Stone Threshing Floor) and was constructed on the foundations of an earlier ancient fortress. Access to the site was limited to certain points, enhancing its defensive capabilities. During archaeological excavations conducted between 1971 and 1974, significant finds were uncovered, including remnants of walls, floors of dwellings, furnace foundations, millstones, fragments of clay vessels, and iron tools. The oldest artifacts date back to the transition between the Bronze and Early Iron Ages, proving the fortress was inhabited during Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Archaeological Excavations

Visegrad Fortress underwent two major construction periods, with the first linked to the Late Roman era. Its walls were built from broken stone bonded with white mortar, featuring characteristic circular holes from horizontal wooden beams running through the walls. The walls were 2.2 to 2.5 meters thick and constructed directly on the rocky terrain. Large limestone blocks were used at the corners, and the main access to the fortress was from the east, through a rectangular tower.

First Construction Period

The first construction phase of the fortress is associated with the Late Roman period. The walls were made of broken stone and mortar, a typical technique of the time. Foundations for pilasters flanking the entrance were discovered in the western part of the fortress. No evidence of internal partition walls from this period has been found.

Second Construction Period

The second construction period dates to the Middle Ages, during which the fortress underwent repairs and reconstructions. The walls were reinforced, and the eastern tower was extensively remodeled. The entrance was narrowed to 1.5 meters, and a solid tower was built on the western side of the fortress. A single structure of clay along the northern wall’s interior is interpreted as a chapel based on iron liturgical crosses found during excavations.

Connection to Other Fortresses

Visegrad Fortress has a visual link to Moniak Fortress, located on the opposite bank of the Studen Kladenets Reservoir, near the village of Shiroko Pole. This visual connection was of strategic importance for monitoring and controlling the region. The fortress offers a stunning view of the reservoir, which is now popular among fishing and water sports enthusiasts.

Visegrad Fortress is not only an important military and strategic site but also a cultural and historical symbol of the region. It reflects the rich history of the area, bearing witness to various eras and civilizations that have passed through these lands. The archaeological discoveries and architectural features make the fortress a valuable monument contributing to the understanding of Bulgaria’s past.

Материалът Крепост Вишеград е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

Разположен в Нановишката вулканска калдера, комплексът съчетава впечатляващи естествени скални образувания и структури, изсечени от човешка ръка. Сред тях са две пещери тип „утроба“, кръгли и правоъгълни басейни, трапецовидни ниши, наблюдателни площадки и петроглифът, известен като „Пиленцето“.

До Харман кая се стига по лесен и приятен маршрут по стар коларски път, подходящ за всички любители на пешеходните разходки. Преходът в посока отнема около 30-40 минути, а по-голяма част от пътеката е сенчеста, което я прави приятна и през по-топлите дни.

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Материалът Харман кая е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

Използвани са местни ломени камъните, добре обработени само от лицевата страна, хоросанът има бял цвят, вътрешността на стената е запълнена с необработени камъни, споени с обилен хоросанов разтвор. Куртината е построена направо върху скалите, без да се издълбава специално легло за основите. Дългата страна на замъка е в посока изток-запад. Отбранителните възможности на крепостната стена са подсилени с три кули: една полукръгла и две правоъгълни. Предполага се, че са били триетажни, като подземията или първият етаж са служели за водохранилища, в тях стените са измазани с хоросанова мазилка (до 2 см). Изкачването в кулите е било осъществявано от вътрешни каменни стълби, от които са запазени в две от кулите. Входът на крепостта се е намирал в най-източната част, като от него са запазени 7 стъпала, издълбани в скалата. Запазени са и основи от помещението, служело за живеене на пазещите входа. Вероятно вратата е била затваряна чрез вдигане – вертикално. Помещенията са построени в южната и югоизточната част на крепостта, като вътрешната страна на куртината е външната им страна. Регистрирани са 8 на брой, построени едно до друго, с максимални размери 10,95 х 5,80 м и минимални размери 2,50 х 1,70 м. Междинните стени имат дебелина 1 м. Приземният етаж е дълбок 5,60 м, като е служел за склад или водохранилище, като са обитавани горните два етажа. Запазени са леглата на напречните греди, носещи тавана и пода на помещенията. В някои от зидовете са запазени сантрачи. Крепостта е проучвана в периода 1971-1973 г. под ръководството на проф. Стамен Михайлов и археолога Иван Балкански, тогавашен уредник на Историческия музей в Кърджали. Като при провеждането на археологическите разкопки са намерени 1237 метални предмета (част от тях са 71 железни стрели, части от шлем, 2 брадви, 11 фрагмента от бронзови и железни кръста и 94 ножчета). Намерено е голямото количество керамичен материал (няколко цели глинени съда), както и множество бронзови корубести монети от този период. Писмени сведения за средновековната крепост Устра намираме в „Анали“ на Георги Акрополит (XIII в.) и произведенията на Ана Комнина и Йоан Кантакузин. (Източно-родопски крепости. Иван Балкански, София, 1977 г.)

Струва си да се отбележи, че в близост до средновековната крепост Устра се намират руините на тракийска крепост от желязна епоха. Тя се намира в местността „Сиври кая“ (Остри камъни) – скалист връх над с. Устрен, като крепостта е разположена на северния му склон.

За да се стигне до средновековната крепост на идване от гр. Джебел, точно преди влизане в с. Устрен, трябва да се поеме по черен път, който е указан с кафява табела (обозначаващи културно-историческите и природни забележителности у нас). Дори от тази отбивка може да се види скалата с крепостта. Пътят продължава около 2 км и извежда до бившата хижа „Устра“, която сега е ремонтирана и работи като къща за гости. Там е подходящо място за пренощуване преди или след посещение до крепостта. До крепостта се стига за 20-ина минути пеш по тясна и стръмна пътечка, дълга около 700 м. На самата пътека има указателни надписи. Всеки би могъл и да остави колата си в селото, ако тя не може да премине по пътя. След това разстоянието до къщата за гости отнема малко повече от половин час пеш. Другият маршрут, който може да се използва започва от с. Лебед, но не е обозначен и е по-труден за откриване. Но дружелюбните, местните хора го знаят много добре и могат с удоволствие и усмивка да ориентират всеки турист.
Най-трудният момент и при двата варианта са последните метри преди достигането до крепостта, защото се минава по скала, тъй като подстъпът към входа не е благоустроен. Но всяко препятствие си заслужа, след като веднъж стигнете до върха и видите спиращата дъха гледка от горе. На където и да погледне човек вижда зашеметяващата родопска шир. Сякаш времето и дъхът ти спират, не би могъл да откъснеш очи от неповторимия пейзаж, дори тялото ти не иска да помръдне и да се откъсне от това вълшебно място. Поемайки по пътя надолу, вървейки сред тишината, единственото
което усещаш е покой и мир в себе си.

Материалът Средновековна крепост Устра е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

The Squeezing Rock is part of a larger rock formation regarded as a Thracian sanctuary and considered one of the most interesting yet little-known sites in the region. At the base of the rock massif there are also two womb-shaped caves, which add to the mystique of the site and reinforce the impression of its cult significance.

According to local legends, after visiting the Squeezing Rock and passing through one of its openings, childless families were believed to be blessed with children. The womb-shaped caves are also associated with beliefs connected to fertility, a theme of great importance in Thracian cult practices.

Today, the sanctuary preserves ancient secrets, living legends, and a strong connection between people and nature, making it one of the most magnetic places in the Eastern Rhodopes.

To open a GPX file with a smartphone, you must have one of the applications installed in advance. GPX Viewer, Osmand or Oruxmaps.

Материалът Провиралката край село Стоманци – Пробитият камък е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

Материалът Пещера „Тройната утроба“ е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

Built at the Varna Shipyard and launched in June 1937, Galata was the first metal ship ever constructed in Bulgaria. Designed as a motorized passenger vessel, it could accommodate up to 50 passengers. Measuring 17.5 meters in length and 3.7 meters in width, it was powered by a 100-horsepower diesel engine. In its early years, Galata sailed the familiar waters of the Varna and Burgas bays as part of the Bulgarian Maritime Fleet.

But the story of Galata doesn’t end there. According to a widely shared account, the ship was once used by the royal family of Tsar Boris III - elevating it beyond a mere vessel to a symbol of an era.

In January 1963, tragedy struck. The Galata sank off the coast of Balchik, claiming the lives of 14 people, including the entire crew. A year later, the ship was salvaged, repaired, and sent to a new destination - the Studen Kladenets Reservoir – where it served for many years, connecting remote villages along the reservoir’s shoreline with the city of Kardzhali.

Today, Galata no longer sails, but it continues to inspire. Permanently anchored near Shiroko Pole, the ship has become a favorite spot for photographers, travelers, and those seeking a glimpse of the untold stories of the Rhodope Mountains. Set against the still water and the silhouette of the hills beyond, its weathered frame stands as both a monument and a memory - inviting visitors to step back in time and reflect on a legacy that deserves to be remembered.

Материалът Кораб с история: „Галата“ е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.