The Rhodope Municipality of Ardino announced that it has begun preparing its candidacy for participation in the fifth edition of the UN World Tourism Organization's "Best Tourist Villages" initiative. The idea of ​​the international program is not only to protect rural areas, local traditions and nature, but also to encourage sustainable tourism in small municipalities, such as Ardino. In the not-so-distant past the main means of livelihood of the population was tobacco production, but recently people in the small and beautiful Rhodope municipality have been increasingly turning to tourism. Hotels and guest houses are multiplying, as well as the attractions related to rural tourism.

"Ardino and the region have started to attract more guests in recent years," Taner Chobanov, curator of the Municipal Museum in the city, told Radio Bulgaria, adding that the surroundings abound with interesting sights:

"The most popular destination in Ardino is the Devil's Bridge, which is located 10 km from the city center. The bridge itself is a cultural monument of national importance. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century during the time of Sultan Selim. Last autumn, we also opened a zipline near the bridge, passing over the river, with a length of 280 meters and a height of about 17 meters. This new attraction enjoys great interest among both young people and children, as it creates an exciting experience without being too extreme," Taner Chobanov says.

A dense network of paths takes tourists to beautiful corners of the Rhodope Mountains. Tour operators and local adventure clubs organize canoe or inflatable raft trips down the Arda River.

"On the territory of the Ardino municipality, the Arda River forms its most beautiful meanders. And one of the most popular meanders is located near the Kardzhali dam,” Taner Chobanov says. “Last year, we built an observation deck above this natural phenomenon from which visitors can calmly admire the meander.

On the rock itself, at the top of the meander, there are also remains of a late antique and medieval fortress. The idea of ​​the municipal government is to socialize the fortress by building a lift that would connect the valley with the fortress and facilitate tourist access. But the project is still awaiting funding."

Read also:

• The upper course of Arda River - only for adventurers and lovers of wild nature and gourmet experiences

• High adrenaline along the Arda River in ‎Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountain

The local government hopes that the ambitious project will attract even more guests to the area. In 2023, a new attraction opened in Ardino - the only tobacco museum in Bulgaria. Visitors can follow the entire process related to tobacco production in the Rhodope Mountains. Another landmark also impresses tourists greatly. This is the ancient rock complex "Eagle Rocks", located 2 km away from the town of Ardino:

"It is a huge volcanic rock with about 97-100 trapezoidal niches. The interesting thing about these formations is that they are found only on the territory of the Eastern Rhodopes,” Chobanov says. “Eagle Rocks are one of the most famous and form the western border of the spread of such phenomena. So far, there is no definitive explanation for their function and origin, which is why the Ardino municipality is planning an archaeological study near the rock."

Photos: ardino.bg, Facebook /Ardino Municipality, BGNES, facebook.com/kreposttamogilitsa, Ardino Municipal Museum

English version and publication: Alexander Markov