Zlatograd

Zlatograd has always been “the gateway to the wide world

Zlatograd is one of the southernmost municipalities in Bulgaria. Its southern border coincides with the Bulgarian national border with Greece.

Things to do in Zlatograd 

Eight kilometers away from Zlatograd lies the ecclesiastical monastery stronghold St. Nedelya. The protected area occupies 256,000 sq.m of land. The most widespread species are beech-tree, hornbeam, durmast, common pine, Austrian pine, sumac, hirsutus, manna-ash. There are centuries-old trees such as oak, hornbeam, chestnut, maple, Austrian pine and common pine.

The oldest cultivated chestnut, aged 278, is located in the area Balalitska Reka River. The architectural reserve of about 100 houses dating back to the Bulgarian National Revival Period gives the town its specific unique atmosphere.

The Ethnographic Complex consists of architectural monuments and revived craftsmen’s workshops – cutler’s, woolen braiding, woodcarving and goldsmith’s. They go together with a historic-ethnographic collection exhibited in Alexander’s Houses. There is a watermill consisting of a filling mill and a primitive watermill.

One of the oldest churches in the Mid-Rhodopes Mountain, The Assumption, built in 1834, is located in the centre of Zlatograd town. St. George Church, built in 1871, is a big domical single-apse pseudo-basilica with an open narthex and a big belfry.St. Atanas Chapel is located on a hill near the town.

Museums and peaks

A museum collection called Enlightenment Activities in the Mid-Rhodopes Mountain is exhibited in the building of the Common School. A museum collection on post offices, telegraphy and telephone is exhibited in a National Revival house. You can also visit:

Ethno-archeological museum

It is situated in a building – architectural monument of the culture. In the past it belonged to Alexander Chanov – a wealthy maker of frieze and tobacco trader.

Tailor’s workshop

The traditions of tailor’s craft are represented by interesting expositions of old photos, sewing and ironing machines, big tailor’s scissors and arshins (measures). 

Weaver’s workshop

The master weaves on a horizontal loom striped cloth, traditional towels; woolen, rag and prayer rugs; aprons; bags; cushions …

Braider’s workshop

In the braider’s shop the visitor’s attention is caught by the two cog-wheels – the braid knitting machines. They are a cause for pride – created by the Bulgarian technical genius in the first decades of the 19th c.

Goldsmith’s workshop 

 In the goldsmith’s shop, apart from the master’s skill, in separate showcases can be seen not only samples of the ores and crystals extracted in the mines of the Zlatograd area but also characteristic jewellery articles for different purposes, common in the Middle Rhodopes in particular.

The Belite Kamenye (White Stones) area is a mountain peak above the village of Startsevo. The exploration of the peak gives grounds to archeologists to define it as an ancient sanctuary from 5 c. BC to 4 c. BC.