Bulgaria – A land before time
They come here not only for the vest green pastures on which they can raised sheep, horses and cattle, but also for the agreeable climate, pure water wealth of forest in the mountain. From 803 to 814, under the reign of Khan Kroum, the boundaries of the Bulgarian Empire ran through the Rhodope labyrinth from Haskovo on to Biala Cherkva, Crichim Batak and Kostenets, via the Topolov Pass. Under the Khan Presian (836-825) Bulgaria expended to the watershed mountain ridge: Mt Sini Vruh, Karakulas, Rozhen, Perelik and Kushlar and long the river Mesta valley. Tsar Simeon went further sound, winning new lands and fortifying the outlet on the Aegean.
Centuries later, new people called yuruks, the Turkish for nomadic shepherded, drifted to those lands. They had enormous flocks of sheep. Summer was best for pasture, and in winter the flocks were shepherded to the Aegean valley where it easier to fine food. Then there was a financial crash. Many affluent shepherds went bust and started selling their flocks, herds and estates to the people nearby villages.
The resort was named Racho Belev of Smolyan. He used to transport other people’s goods between Plovdiv and Xanthi. He would tie the mules in a file – very much like train. He cut a particularly striking figure in summer, the haymaking season. He would load the mules whit huge bales of hay, tie them in a string, and them lead the file along the unknown merchant roads mounted on a white horse and smoking a pipe. This looked like a train (pampor). That is why the locals nick- named him Raicho the Pampor. He owned the lends, fields and meadows where the resort is today. Eventuality Raicho Belev sold them to Chepelare resedents.
In 1933 Nikola Ivanov Chichovski build a three – floor boarding house under Mt Svetitsa, thus laying the cornerstone of the resort. People from Plovdiv, Sofia and Chepelare built country houses and another two hotels. Skiers from Sofia first came here in 1934. Prior to the locals had never heard of skiing. From 1933 to 1939 Pamporvo was visited by 23,000 vacationers who spread the fame name of this lovely locality.
Since the Mediterranean is not far away, there is only a slight difference in days and night temperatures. The high peaks and ridges around shelter the spot from winds and keep the snow along the northern slops from melting before late spring.
The resort has modern hotels: the Perelik, Mourgavets, Prespa, Rohzen, Orfei, Panorama and Snezhanka, plus the Marina holidays village, with elegant cottage. There are composites, boarding houses, cottage and chalets all around. Scenic roads link Pamporovo and the lovely valleys of three rivers – the Chepelarska, Arda and Vucha, past rich and beautiful villages strung like beads in the amber rosary. The resort is the center of the Orpheus national tourist complex which will span past of the Mt Perelik area, Chernatica to Chudnite Mostove and the Prespa ridge, up to Mt Momchil.
There is a breathtaking view of Mts Murgavets and Snezhanka, Beech Mountain, the Smolian Lakes at the foot of majestic cliffs, the awesome Ardshili Woods. Ones you see the Rodopite village of Stoikite, Known for its rich folk costumes, you are bound to come back again and again. The village is really memorable. A fairy-like village! This is how they call Shiroka Luka. Shiroka Luka is also known as a guest – room of the Rodopite Mountains thanks to the hospitality towards newcomers. The village is heritage park. It was founded about 300 years ago, in a time become a center of the villages from the Shiroka Luka highland valley. Don’t miss the Sveta Bogoroditsa (Holy Virgin) Church, arched bridges and many other architectural monuments : tinsmit’s and other period houses, and old town hall and other historical sites. The school for the folk singers and musicians is in a Rodope-style modern building. This is the starting point of the trek of the Mt Turlata, Goliam (Big) and Maluk (Small) Perelik, Shirokolushki Snezhnik and other towering peaks.
Now that we.ve seen the sights, let’s take a bus to Smolyan. This town was first described by French traveller Dr. Paul Lasac. He passed through in it 1705. The town is mentioned for the second time in the inscription on the local Bay Bridge build in 1720. After the Liberation from Turkish domination the town was renamed Smolyan after the Slav tribe of Smoleni which used to populate these parts. If you are in Pamporovo, this enchanting town is a must (Smolyan is also a center of most of Rhodope regeon). It has many cultural institutions, a theater, museum, industrial enterprises and factories. The Smolyan Art Gallery boats a fine collection of prominent Bulgarian printers, as well as local artists. It often houses exhibitions of outstanding Bulgarian and foreing artists. The director of the gallery, Mr Vulko Gaidarov from the small Rhodope town of Devin, has a landscape in Spain and other countries in Europe.
There are some impressive morals in the Sveti Nikola (St Nicholas) and Sveta Nedelya (St Nedelya) couches. Nature-lovers will above The Sycamore, a 25 meter high tree more then 250 years old, whose trunk exceeds 6.60 m around.
Then we will go back to the snowy heaven of Pamporovo in order to enjoy the gifts of the nature in full.
By Rossy Makedonska
eturbonews.com
Travelvideo.tv – your news source for the travel and tourism industry.
February 4, 2004
Posted in: Bulgaria