The Eastern Rhodopes are the region with the richest megalithic monuments in the Balkans, left to us as a legacy of the Thracian culture. Many stone formations were deified even before the Thracians came to our lands. Although attempts have been made to socialize some of these monuments (preserving archaeological sites, with active visits), most of them are difficult to find, and information from archaeological excavations is found only in scientific publications. We offer you excellently trained guides who will help you get to know one of the earliest European civilizations better. You will immerse yourself in the life and beliefs of the Thracians. Price: BGN 100 for driver hire.

One of the archeological mysteries in the Eastern Rhodopes is the multitude of rock-cut niches. More than 2,000 rock niches are known in the Arda River valley, most of them trapezoidal in shape. One of the rocks with the most trapezoidal niches is Kovan Kaya, which is located near the iron bridge on the Arda River near the village of Dolno Cherkovishte. Kovan Kaya is part of a large Thracian megalithic complex, which includes a sanctuary, numerous rocks with niches and over 10 rock tombs, including the only rock tomb from the Eastern Rhodopes with a burial discovered in it.

In the area of the iron bridge, you can visit the rock sanctuary of Aul kaya, the two rock tombs of Ak kaya rock (the beekeeper's tomb and the tomb with the graffiti), the three tombs of Hambar kaya, etc. We can also visit some of the Thracian gold mining sites. Everywhere you will hear the fascinating lectures of our guides.

A visit to the historical sites can be wonderfully combined with watching the rare birds in the area, searching for semi-precious stones and fossils that abound around. From the accommodation places - Complex "Arda" and Complex "Perpera", the farthest tomb is located 50 minutes on foot. It takes about 45 minutes by car to reach the town of Madjarovo.

The cromlech next to the village of Dolni Glavanak is a megalithic structure, built of stone blocks arranged in a circle, enclosing a sacred space.

The cromlech is connected with the religious practices and cults of the ancient Thracians in the 1st millennium BC. The megalithic structure was built during the Early Iron Age (8th-6th century BC) and functioned until the late Hellenistic era (3rd-2nd century BC).

From the town of Madjarovo, the kromlekha can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, then follow a pedestrian route that takes about 20 minutes (one way).

"Deaf stones" is the largest Thracian rock complex in the Eastern Rhodopes. The sanctuary is located on four rock massifs, on which there are numerous excavations, including over 200 rock niches. Some archaeologists consider the "Deaf Stones" to be a site that approaches the more famous Perperikon in importance. The Deaf Stones were an important religious and settlement center for the Thracian population in this part of the Arda Valley, which was revered even after the adoption of Christianity. In Late Antiquity, two early Christian churches were built there with baptisteries for the baptism of the local population. During the Middle Ages, a monastery complex functioned at the foot of the peak, which was probably looted and burned by the participants in the Third Crusade at the end of the 12th century.

The deaf stones have been declared a natural landmark, and from the highest part of the ancient sanctuary there is a magnificent view of the valleys of Arda and Maritsa. It takes about 40 minutes by car to reach "Deaf Stones" from the town of Madjarovo.

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