The Holy City of Perperikon

Perperikon (also known as the Holy City) is a special site in the Eastern Rhodope mountains which for thousands of years has been used by people as a place to worship their god(s). Regardless of the historical period and the character of their religious beliefs, people have been always drawn by the spiritual energy and sacredness of this huge rocky hill which through the years became the home of a significant religious and secular center, a well fortified city that is nowadays compared to Troy and Mycenae. Look for a licensed guide to get the most accurate information trip of the place which once was a shrine, an altar, a home of the Sun God, a temple of Dionysus, a Christian sanctuary...Sit in the stone throne where Alexander the Great is believed to have sat in wait of the Oracles' prophecy, feel the stone walls of the chamber in the Christian Place of Worship where a reliquary with fragments of the True Cross was found, dip your hand in the cold waters of the gold bearing Perperishka river that runs at the foot of the Holy Mount...and remember to take pictures, Perperikon can give you really great images to take back home. The site is open for visits from May till October only from 07:30 till 20:00. There is an entrance fee and a guided tour. Guides are provided by the Kardzhali History Museum - check with them direct if possible to book a tour in a language other than Bulgarian or hire an interpreter.

Perperikon is about 250 km (3 hours drive) from Sofia and about 100 km (less than 2 hours drive) from Plovdiv. The road is generally well maintained and in good condition. The closest bigger city is Kardzhali (just over 20 km, about 30 min drive). Plovdiv, Kardzhali and the area around the nearby picturesque reservoirs offer a good choice of hotels and restaurants should you decide to stay longer and see more of the beautiful Rhodope and the interesting local lifestyles.