Adventure gastro tour “Fever for precious stones in The Rhodope Klondike”

And the hosts on the first day will be Betty and Nikki – the stars of the TV show “The Farm”, who are parents of four children and have their own farm for grazing animals.

What to expect?

The adventure gastro tour “Fever for precious stones in the Rhodope Klondike” provides an opportunity for an exotic and new for Bulgaria type of tourism – the search for precious and semi-precious stones.

This natural wealth predetermined the development of Madzharovo during socialism as a mining center. The development of the deposit began in the late sixties. The explosives were transported to the underground galleries by cutters, ox-carts, and camels. The camels appeared in the area together with the caravans of refugees from Eastern and Aegean Thrace and Aegean Macedonia before the First World War. They were used to carry loads, wood, plowing. The last camels in our country were in Madzharovo until the 70s of the XX century to transport the ore.

Mining in the town drove away from the Egyptian and whitish vultures. With the advent of democracy, the gemstone installation in Madzharovo was abolished and mining was stopped, prompting protected birds to return. Today, more than 100 griffon vultures and more than 20 Egyptian vulture families live in the rocks above Arda, attracting many birdwatchers.

From a settlement inhabited by 6000-7000 people, Madjarovo became the second smallest town in Bulgaria. 35 million years ago there was a crater of a volcano on the site of the settlement. Thanks to its activity, the region abounds in over 16 types of precious and semi-precious stones. With a local guide, we will enter the old mine for precious stones, and in the area around it, we will look for amethysts, agates, jaspers, and chalcedony.

Later we will look at a collection of over 1000 specimens of precious and semi-precious stones, we will learn about their energy and healing properties, we will have the opportunity to join a small bazaar for jewelry inlaid with stones. Amethyst is one of the stones with universal therapeutic properties. His energy is very powerful and highly purifying, it is believed to carry wisdom. Helps with headaches, migraines, increased mental load, insomnia. Jasper also has strong healing and grounding powers. The ancient Egyptians wore jasper scarabs as amulets because the stone was believed to increase sexual energy. According to the Bible, the jasper is a gift from God and is the first stone of the new Jerusalem.

Chalcedony symbolizes calm and composure, for Tibetans, it is a stone of purity and concentration. In ancient times it was quite a popular decorative stone, engraved with deities and water spirits. The ancients believed that this stone could affect the weather and tried to appease the gods with it. Agate provides a balance between physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual states. Agate helps in the treatment of diseases of the pancreas and improves blood circulation.

In the Land of Orpheus we can not but visit the dwellings of the ancient Thracians – the sanctuaries Kovan Kaya and Hambar Kaya, as well as the famous Alexander’s tomb. Kovan Kaya is part of a megalithic Thracian cult complex in the Eastern Rhodopes. Known as the Rock – beehive, it is the largest complex with rock niches in our country. Their south-southeast orientation gives reason to believe that they served the ritual purposes of our ancient ancestors. From Kovan Kaya there is a stunning view of the beautiful meanders of Arda.

Near the dam Studen Kladenets there is another rock sanctuary, called by the locals Hambar Kaya. It is a solitary massive rock, at the foot of which there is a small cave cavity. Several trapezoidal niches are carved into the rock. At the top of the rock are footprints leading to three rock tombs. We will also see the Alexander Tomb, built in the second half of the 4th century BC. as the last home of a rich Thracian ruler. It is decorated with unique murals, and on the walls of the burial chamber, the dromos and the vestibule are depicted in various hunting scenes and a funeral feast. The site is expected to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

And because the focus of “SlowTours.BG” is gastronomy and local food, on both days we will enjoy delicious Eastern Rhodope dishes and local specialties. The mentors of the reality TV show “The Farm” Blagovesta and Nikolay will welcome us on their farm with stuffed pumpkin with beef from pastured animals and delicious dairy beef appetizers. Here they also prepare Thracian specialties from the village of Sachanli, Aegean Thrace: “guzlemi”, rabbit pie, chicken with “katmi”, steamed goat, “saralia”, as well as Rhodope specialties: “kukuresh”, traditional barbecue… A cozy hotel along the river Arda at the foot of the dam “Studen Kladenets” will host us both days with delicious dishes according to old local recipes.