Krumovgrad: Reservoir, Rock Landscapes and Culture

In the north of Krumovgrad Municipality, the Arda River forms the boundary. Part of the Studen Kladenets Reservoir is also in the municipality; the dam and hydroelectric power station are located there as well. The 30-kilometre-long reservoir offers opportunities for water sports and fishing. The main tourist areas include the Krumovitsa Valley near Dolna Kula, the Studen Kladenets area and the confluence of the Krumovitsa and Arda rivers.

Water and Striking Rock Formations

On the left bank of the reservoir lies the Great Scree, a tall, steep and deeply fissured rock formation. Together with the river landscapes and the reservoir, it offers a different perspective on the municipality from its archaeological and cultural sites.

The Oreshari Protected Area covers 55 hectares and preserves an Eastern Rhodope landscape of rock faces, arches, caves and Thracian rock niches. At Kovan Kaya in the protected area, more than 150 rock niches are associated with Thracian settlements, fortresses, sanctuaries and rock necropolises.

The six caves near Mosta are concentrated in the Oreshari Protected Area. Their entrances are two to three metres wide, and they range from ten to twenty metres in length. The Ribino Protected Area covers 66.3 hectares and is characterised by karst: rock massifs, springs and caves define the landscape. The Samara and Mirror caves are among Bulgaria’s 250 best-known caves.

The Djelovo Natural Monument is considered the only stand of Turkish hazel in the Eastern Rhodopes. Trees more than 300 years old also grow there. Four waterfalls in the municipality are designated natural monuments: Vodopada near Djanka, at 25 metres; Dushan near Krasino and Bureshte near Padalo, each at 20 metres; and Mandrata near Chal, at 10 metres.

Nature Conservation and Visitor Conditions

The Vŭlchi dol area has a feeding platform and an observation facility for griffon vultures. Access is subject to the reserve’s restrictions. The Studen Kladenets Nature Conservation Centre borders the Vŭlchi dol Reserve and has been adapted for visitors with mobility and visual impairments.

Access options to the Oreshari–Strandzhevo rock niches include a municipal road, a hiking trail and regular public transport. Visits are free year-round; guided tours are not available, and there are no accessible facilities for people with disabilities. Check the practical information again before travelling.

Archaeology, Museum and Regional Culture

Near Krumovgrad, Ada Tepe is considered Europe’s oldest gold mine. The site was active from the 15th to the 8th century BC. The Krumovgrad Museum’s collection comprises around 2,000 exhibits in the fields of archaeology, modern history and ethnography. They are displayed across 250 square metres in a building that is part of the cultural heritage.

The municipality’s religious heritage includes the Church of St. Ivan of Rila in Krumovgrad, the Church of St. Elijah in Avren and the Church of St. Athanasius in Chernichevo. Traditional crafts in Krumovgrad and the surrounding area included coppersmithing, pottery, making saddle bags and sacks, working with aba cloth, making opanki and shoemaking.

The cultural calendar includes an annual folklore gathering, held since 1994, the traditional Seid Baba autumn fair and village festivals. Local community centres and cultural groups presented traditional dishes from the Krumovgrad area; there was also a culinary festival and the Produced in Krumovgrad bazaar.

At a local product bazaar in Krumovgrad, honey and bee products from Chuchuliga, Guliya and Chernooki were offered, along with dairy products from Chaika. Handmade souvenirs, bags, jewellery and children’s toys were also exhibited and sold in Krumovgrad.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When planning your hotel stay, first decide what you want to focus on: water sports and fishing, caves and rock landscapes, or history and culture? Tailor your search to the theme that matters most to you on your trip.

Discover more destinations: Krumovgrad, Ardino, Kirkovo, Djebel, Kardjali.

Go to the broader travel overview: Kardzhali Province.