Entertainment and attractions around the "Horlog Castle Holiday Village"

At about only 300 meters from HORLOG is located the cave "Devil’s throat", of which the legend tells that it is the shortcut to Hell. That’s the place from where Orpheus descends to the Underground kingdom of king Hades to save his beloved Eurydice.

The cave keeps its secrets as well as its rare inhabitant – the bird Wallcreeper and the 4 kinds of bats rigorously protected by the Law of biodiversity and some of them are included in the International black list of species.

At the entrance of the cave you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of "Hades", and at the exit of the cave with an image of "Cerberus", through a mobile application "ТRIGRAD AR".

At 9km from HORLOG, through a tourist trail and 15km on the road, is located one of the 100 National Tourist sites of Bulgaria- the “Yagodinska” cave. Historically, the cave is famous for the fact that during its exploration in 1963 is found the only one in Europe Neolithic habitat preserved in its original appearance and dating from the Copper Age (IV-Th millennium B.C.). Through the whole tourist route of “Yagodinska” cave of 10 500 m there can be seen magnificent and beautiful formations that represent a total of 22 of globally known 28 species – stalactites, stalagmites, columns, helicites, sinter lakes, leopard skin, dendrites, draperies and one of the most unique formations - cave pearls.

At 150 m from Horlog is located the Haramyiska cave, which is famous for the extreme experiences one gets while overpassing it. The visits in the cave are carried out only by climbing and under the supervision of specially trained instructors-climbers.

A path, starting at the “Devil's throat” cave, leads to the entrance of the Haramyiska cave – a 10 minutes climb through a pine forest.

The cave has two entrances – an entrance and an exit to be exact – two different caves conjoint by a precipice. The entrance is difficult to access – it is reached after climbing a 20-meter vertical wall.

"The Park of the Rhodope Herb" is a tourist attraction with informational and educational value. The park skillfully combines the incredible emotional experience of the visitors, transporting them into a fairy-tale world, with the opportunity to get to know better the Rhodope Flora and Fauna. It is located just after the Devil's Throat Cave in the direction of Trigrad. In the park there are more than 90 expositions of Rhodope herbs, which are located along a stone walkway. Each herb is accompanied by a descriptive sign about its habitat and medicinal properties. Among the herbs there are also figures of the most characteristic wild animal representatives of the Rhodopes, which are made in life-size. The figures are equipped with buttons reproducing the real sounds made by each animal. The little ones can also have fun in the children's corner of the Park, where the House of the oldest herbalist Baba Yaga is located. Visitors can enrich their entertainment program with a visit to the nearby "Museum of the Bear" and "Museum of Rhodope Aquaculture". After the invaluable educational visit to the world of Rhodope Flora and Fauna, tourists can immerse themselves in the world of Rhodope cuisine by visiting the restaurant "Horlog Castle", which is located along the Trigradska River and directly opposite the Park. Here you can taste delicious dishes of live fish, barbecue, Rhodope specialties and more. The Park of the Rhodope Herb was built under the cross-border project "Floreo", funded by the "INTERREG V-A Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020" Programme, co-financed by the national budget.

In the Park of the Herb you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of the "Dryad", through a mobile application "TRIGRAD AR".

The Museum of the Bear is located between the Devil's Throat and the village of Trigrad, next to the hotel "HORLOG". Going towards the village it is on your left. It is one of the newest museums in the Rhodopes. It is unique for its idea of presenting the endangered brown bear. In recent years, people hear about them more and more often in the news, but in this museum we can learn about their way of life, their habitat, their way of eating and so on.

At the Museum of the Bear, you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of "Bear", using the mobile app "TRIGRAD AR".

The Visitor Information Centre is located about 350m after the Devil's Throat Cave in the direction of the village of Trigrad, directly opposite the Park of the "Rhodope Herb".

The site offers tourists and fishing enthusiasts useful information about the reservoirs and freshwater fish in the Western Rhodopes, historical data about angling and useful fishing tips.

In the center is located a museum collection of expositions of various representatives of the Rhodope Aquaculture.

In the site, you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of the "Catfish", through a mobile application "ТRIGRAD AR".

House-museum "Katertsi" is located near the center of the village of Trigrad, after a short climb along a dirt road. The name "Katertsi" is derived from a long-standing family, which has not only kept its name, but has also preserved its history for almost 150 years. House-museum "Katertsi" is unique and authentic, having preserved its secrets over the years. The furnishings are entirely in a traditional style and you can still feel the comfort, traditions and customs of the family that was involved in sheep farming. In "Katertsi" you can see antique objects, clothing and utensils from times gone by, as well as original documents related to the emigration of the Katerski family.

In the site, you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of the "Shepherd", through a mobile application "ТRIGRAD AR".

The Roman Bridge is located near the centre of the village of Trigrad. Near the bridge there is an old Roman road leading to the localities Kraevo and Chairski Lakes.

According to beliefs, if when building a bridge, the shadow of a young maiden is embedded in it, the bridge will be eternal.

On the bridge, you can take a photo with an augmented reality image of a "Maid in Trigrad costume" appearing against the background of the song "Trinity brothers built the city", via mobile app "ТRIGRAD AR".

Trigrad Horse Riding Base "Avitohol - Oblaka" is located in the Rhodope village of Trigrad, at 1220m altitude and is situated on the road to the village of Kesten.

The stable has 8 stalls and 12 half stalls, also a training area for horses and riders (the former stadium). There are 35 horses, 5 stallions of different lines, 7 castrates, 14 mares and 9 foals.

Do not miss to visit one of the most exciting attractions in the area - the Tarzan Lift, which is located opposite the Devil's Throat Cave. This descent will make your blood boil and experience a new emotion.

The Via Ferrata is an extreme adventure with increased difficulty and is carried out under the guidance and supervision of specially trained guides who provide the necessary mountaineering equipment. The hike starts from the Trigrad Gorge, near the Haramiyska Cave and includes climbing on metal steps mounted on a cliff, 48m long, as well as hiking along a scenic forest route. The total duration of the hike is about two hours. Visiting the attraction is organized, in groups of 6 to 15 people.

Near the attraction, you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of the "Thracian Warrior" through the mobile application "ТRIGRAD AR".

The Rope park is located in the village of Trigrad, about 200m south of Trigrad Mandra. It is built above the river Trigradska, in a beautiful forest area. The total length of the Rope park is about 120 meters and covers 7 levels of difficulty, coloured in different colors. It is suitable for children over 6 years old, as well as adults weighing up to 120kg.

At the Rope park, you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of a "playful squirrel" via the mobile app "ТRIGRAD AR".

The adventurous boat trip starts from a cave arch located along the Trigradska River, next to the Devil's Throat Cave. Near this vault comes out the water that was previously swallowed by the underground waterfall of Devil's Throat Cave. The walk is about 80m long and the route passes through a natural river pool which is over 40m deep.

Off-road rides are offered by many local guides, both to the panoramic views in the area /Eagle eye; Wolf Stone; Orpheus Peak; Orpheus Tear; Bear Peak/, and to various areas with natural or cultural attractions, such as the protected area "Chairski Lakes", natural phenomenon "Drunken Forest" , sanctuary "Kaurchan", abandoned settlement "Chamla" etc.

The Chairski Lakes are a group of seven lakes in the Western Rhodopes, located at an altitude of 1400 m in the protected scenic area "Chairite" ("Chairski Lakes") along the Chairska River, about 20 km east of the village of Trigrad. The name of the locality comes from the word "chair", which means meadow in Turkish. The Chairski Lakes are natural landslide lakes preserved from the Quaternary era. They were formed by landslide processes above the right bank of the Chairska River. The most famous lake is the Blue Lake (Blue Gyol, Blue pool) surrounded by an old age forest. Its fallen trees and islands of sphagnum give it a romantic and mysterious feel, as if it were the lake of nymphs and mermaids. One of the lakes is called the Magic Lake. Shrouded in mist and vapor, surrounded by trees with whimsical shapes, it looks like the illustration of a magical fairy tale. According to the legend, the Magic Lake was inhabited by wood-nymphs (samodiva), who enchanted the shepherds, seducing them with their songs and dances. Other of the lakes are called the Big Lake (the Great Gyol), the Kadir Gyol, the Middle Lake and the Upper Lake. In the immediate vicinity is the Drunken Forest protected area. The lakes are amazingly beautiful, with crystal Rhodope water and mountain trout. They are surrounded by more than 2000 acres of endless meadows with beautiful flowers in spring, abounding with numerous Thracian sanctuaries and mounds that testify that this is the land of the Thracians. A number of rare plant species are preserved on the peat islands in the lakes. There is also a tourist lodge "Chairski Lakes" near the Chairski Lakes.

Near the Blue Lake, you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of "Samodiva" through a mobile application "ТRIGRAD AR".

"The Drunken Forest" is located in the protected area "Chairski Lakes", between the villages of Mugla and Trigrad, about 15кm east of the village of Trigrad. The forest is a natural phenomenon due to the chaotic trees leaning in all directions, hence its name.

There are different and contradictory scientific versions trying to explain the phenomenon of drunken forests, which are also found in other places around the world. Some scientists believe that the cause of this phenomenon is a landslide, others believe that the most likely cause is a geomagnetic anomaly, and botanists see what is happening as a manifestation of "tropism", that is, the growth of a plant in the direction of an existing irritant.

According to legends, however, every "Drunken Forest" is possessed by evil forces and demons, and the "Drunken Forest" in the area of "Chairski Lakes" is no exception.

As soon as one enters the Drunken Forest, one's emotions are captured by an invisible magic in the air. The unnatural shapes of the trees, shrouded in vapors of pale greyish mists, create a sense of ghostliness and a wondrous world of unearthly dimension comes to life before your eyes. In this world, gravity is devoid of human logic and content, not only because of the chaotic shapes of the trees growing in completely different directions, but also because of the countless moraines and chunks of rock littering the ground, looking fabulous covered in a blanket of bright green forest moss, but with every step you take on them, they shake, as if inviting you to fall into the trap of one of the many rock holes and chasms that permeate the entire forest. The karst area around Trigrad gives speleologists reason to claim that it is highly probable that the many cave holes and chambers are connected in large underground cave tunnels stretching along the entire Trigrad Gorge. It is no coincidence that in the area around the Trigrad Gorge, have been discovered more than 80 caves, which are currently undeveloped and unexplored, and the unmapped caves are probably many times more.

That is why, according to the legend of the "Drunken Forest", here lives the mythological creature "Mrava", which during the day hides in the underground cave tunnels, and at night reincarnates in various guises /most often in the spirit of a woman with white clothes called by the locals "White Woman"/ and visits people while they sleep. The Mrava pulls the blanket of the sleeping person, puts pressure on him/herand tries to suffocate him/her. Usually a person attacked by the Mrava wakes up from its weight, but can neither move nor make a sound, as if paralyzed. Sometimes people afflicted by the Mrava even find bruises on their bodies. The way to banish the Mrava is for the afflicted person to be able to move one of his toes. According to local legends, the Mrava living in the "Drunken Forest" has encroached on the roots of the trees pressing them in different directions, causing a permanent change in their shapes, preventing them from restoring their natural direction of growth.

Near a small swamp in the "Drunken Forest", you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of the spirit of the "White Woman" through a mobile application "ТRIGRAD AR".

2.1km east of the Chairski Lakes hut, located in the Chairski Lakes protected area, is the depopulated village of Chamla, which is the highest altitude settlement on the Balkan Peninsula-1625m. The village was named "The Kingdom of Chamla" by the Destination Bulgaria Foundation, which unsuccessfully tried to turn the village into a cultural and ethnographic center /"artistic residence and eco-village"/at the beginning of the century. Chamla was completely depopulated in the 1980s, but the village was not removed from the lists of the National Statistical Institute and the Civil Registration and Administrative Services. Apart from the Destination Bulgaria Foundation, foreign nationals have also tried unsuccessfully to bring the place back to life and have given up because of the harsh conditions in the mountains. Here in 2012, a group of foreigners placed special containers with products and food of necessities, welcoming the unfulfilled end of the world, expected on the sacred date of 21.12.2012, driven by the idea of Noah's Ark and the belief that the village of Chamla will be the home of the saved after the "Last Judgment" and then they abandoned the products and containers in the village. Many of the scenes of the Bulgarian feature film "Escape" were filmed the village of Chamla in 2021-2022.

According to local legends, the sanctuary "Kaurchan" was a cult Thracian site from the time of antiquity, whose ancient name is unknown. The sanctuary is located on the ridge of a peak with a stone outcrop on the periphery, located 6 km southeast of the village of Trigrad, in the locality "Kaurchan", which nowadays takes its name from the "Kaurski chan" - a bell. There, in ancient times, the Thracians performed rites and rituals that honored the cult of the Great Mother Goddess Cybele, as well as the sun, death, immortality, eternal happiness and the incorporation into the gods.

Reaching the top is through centuries-old spruce forests, and once you've climbed to its highest point, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view.

The remains found in the area hint at the existence of an ancient Thracian settlement near the sanctuary.

According to local legends, later, in the Middle Ages, a church with a golden dome and a huge gilded bell was built on the site of the sanctuary.

The bell was so large that its ringing was heard in many settlements in the area, signaling enemy attacks.

During the Ottoman rule the church was destroyed and plundered, including the impressive bell.

Unfortunately, funding has not yet been found to carry out archaeological excavations to reveal more about the secrets and mysteries of this mysterious place and to date with greater accuracy the traces left there by the ancient Thracians. However, in the vicinity of the village of Trigrad, many traces of the life of the Thracians have been found, which indicate that they inhabited these lands in the 2nd millennium BC or the Late Bronze Age.

At the foot of the sanctuary "Kaurchan" you can take a picture with an image with augmented reality of the Bell, through a mobile application "ТRIGRAD AR".

Panoramic view "Orpheus' Tear" is located on a rocky peak above the cave "Devil's Throat" in the direction of the village of Yagodina.

It was there that the sad end of the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice - the legend of love and immortality - occurred.

From this peak, Orpheus tried with his magical chants, to enchant the mountain and the rocks, the river and the waters, subduing them to reveal to him again the way to the world of the dead, where he once lost his beloved Eurydice. For seven days and seven nights Orpheus did not feed. By day he sang and played, and by night he wept and murmured, cursing the dark banks of the sacred river Styx. Nature, however, was not amenable to his prayers, and they were not heard. Thus Orpheus' hopes of defeating death died. But, ironically, Orpheus' shed tears in the locality of "Orpheus' Tear", as well as in the entire locality of "Horlog", where the "Devil's Throat" cave and a part of the "Trigrad Gorge" are located, gave birth to the mysterious flower "Silivryak", which has the ability to resurrect and is one of the most medicinal plants in the world. Because of its resurrection ability, the flower is known primarily by the names "Immortal" and "Orpheus Flower".

At Orpheus' Tear you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of "Orpheus", via the mobile app "TRIGRAD AR".

Panoramic site "Eagle Eye" is build over village Yagodina /14km. from village Trigrad/ over cliff on one of the highest peaks in the area - St. Elias /1530 meters altitude/. The peak is named after the saint - lord of thunder, because when the weather is bad there during fall have much thunder. It is important for tourists to know this and avoid trips to the "eagle eye" in bad weather. Panoramic site can be reached by a highly off-road jeep.

The view that opens from this place is amazing and it is no accident that deserved its name. In clear weather, your eyes can reach tens of kilometers in any direction and can even bring dizziness. See Two-thirds of Buynovsko throat, Borino, Chala, Jagodina, in the distance the mountains of Greece, at the bottom of the Pirin and Rila small peak. The road in the valley snakes and cars seem no larger than ants. Not accidentally locals call the panoramic site "Rhodope Grand Canyon.".

Jeeps are available from both the "Castle horlog" and local people from the village of Yagodina, as in front of Yagodinska always have a few parked jeeps carrying out these services.

"Wolf Stone" is an area located on the top of Kaba Tash, near the Rhodope village Gyovren /7 kmfrom the village of Trigrad in the direction of Devin /.

The area can be reached by a highly off-road jeep.

There have two panoramic grounds of 1650 m above sea level.

These are the highest scenic sites on the Balkan peninsula, from where you can see the Rila, Pirin and Rodopi part of Greek and Peak Large and Small Persenk, and others.

On the "Wolf Stone" you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of the "Soldier with a rifle" , through a mobile application "TRIGRAD AR".

Panoramic view "Orpheus Peak", also called Orpheus Rocks, is located 7 km east of the village of Trigrad and at an altitude of 1550m. In the past, the place was known as "9th September" because of the inscription carved into the rock, which can still be seen. The present name of the peak was given by the locals, whose imagination was influenced by the legends of Orpheus and Eurydice.

You can reach " Orpheus Peak" either on foot along a dirt forest road or by off-road jeep, which services are offered by local guides in the village of Trigrad. The panoramic view is impressive and reveals the village of Trigrad and its surroundings. Here you will be greeted by the 3-meter high and weighing 2.5-tons stone statue of Orpheus, created by the Plovdiv sculptor Angel Karavlanov.

On "Orpheus Peak" you can take a picture with an augmented reality image of "Eurydice", through a mobile application "TRIGRAD AR".

Panoramic view is located on the peak "Dryanovo Tepe" , in the land of the village of Gyovren, better known among the locals as "Bear Peak". From the top there is a panoramic view of Rila, Pirin and the peak Golyam Perelik. The destination is suitable for combining with a visit to "Wolf Stone", as they are located in close proximity.

“Horlog” is also, the only place in the world where one can directly observe an extremely rare animal species- the bird Wallcreeper.

It inhabits the cliffs and precipices in the mountains, and a majority of its seats for brooding are at alpine height, therefore the possibility for bird watching in a populated place is not typical and in fact quite unique in the world.

The reserve covers an area of 161 hectares /it is declared a reserve in 1968/.

It is located in the land of the village Mugla, at 20 km from Devin. The reserve stores a variety of bizarre shapes of nature, mixed forests of fir, black pine, beech, spruce and their characteristic flora and fauna.

Rock phenomenon "The Elephant" is located along an old dirt road leading to the protected area "Chairski Lakes". The road leads from a turn-off on the main road, located about 3 km. after the cave "Devil's Throat" in the direction of Devin. The rock phenomenon is located on the right side of the dirt road in the direction of "Chairski Lakes" and about 3km after the beginning of the dirt road.

The Dragon's Holeis a cave-type rock niche formed in a cliff in the Shutia Bridge area, near the village of. It is located in the locality of Shutiya bridge, near the village of Trigrad. It is located about 5 meters above the water surface of the Trigrad River. The legend of the Dragon's Hole is part of the typical legend of the Mrava in the Trigrad region and is directly related to the peculiarities of the landscape and the tectonic structure of the mountains in this part of the Rhodopes. The hundred caves found around Trigrad are interconnected by a network of underground tunnel structures. The local people believed that they were inhabited by a creature called Mrava in Rhodope mythology - a mythical creature that appears after dark and has the ability to reincarnate into many forms. In the Dragon's Hole, Mrava is reincarnated as a dragon, hence the local name of the cave formation.

In the immediate vicinity of the "Dragon's Hole" there is also the "Fairy Tale Gorge", a unique rock exposition of figures of mythical creatures, typical for the area and enshrined in the beliefs of the local population. The expositions are accompanied by descriptive signs with curious facts and details about many characters from mythology.

In the Dragon's Holeyou can take a picture with an augmented reality image of the "Dragon", via the mobile app "ТRIGRAD AR".

A Fatmatski stone is a rock phenomenon that is a high stone formation resembling a mountain peak. It is located 7 km southeast of the village of Trigrad, in the land of the village of the village of Zhrebovo, locality "Forgovo", near the sanctuary "Kaurchan". There is a legend that early in the morning the White Sea is visible from the height of the stone.

Local legends say that the stone bears the name of a beautiful maiden called Fatma who lived in the nearby settlement during the Ottoman rule. Fatma threw herself from the top of the stone to save herself from an attempt by bullies to kidnap and abuse her.

The depopulated village of Vodni Pad /Dyushyuk Dere/ is located 7km southwest of the village of Trigrad. The village is located 7 km from the village of Trigrad, close to the border with Greece. Currently there are no permanent residents of the village, but there are several well-kept cottages whose owners often escape the hustle, bustle and stress of city life to enjoy the unique natural scenery and the healing sounds of nature, embodied in the chirping of birds, the songs of crickets and the breeze of the wind.

In the village there is still preserved an old kirechnitsa (lime production plant), built in 1961. In it the local inhabitants used to produce slaked lime for building their houses.

In the "Kirechnitsa" you can take a picture with an augmented reality image "Fire", through a mobile application "ТRIGRAD AR".

The reserve covers an area of 124 hectares /it is declared a reserve in 1956/.

The reserve “Shabanitza” is located right next to the border with our southern neighbor – Greece, and at 40 km southeast from the village of Trigrad, on the upstream of Chairska River. The protected area, the name of which translates to “The Old Forest” is characterized with its century-old beech-spruce forest, where the trees reach a height of 35m. and are older than 350 years.

The reserve covers an area of 124 hectares /it is declared a reserve in 1968/.

It is situated at 20 km from Devin, in the land of the village Borino.

The reserve is famous because there are some of the best-preserved virgin forests of black pine. Some of the trees reach up to 30 m of height and are over 200 years old.

The floral diversity of the protected area is complemented by the presence of 337 species of plants, including many rare and endemic species.

Here can be found deposits of Silivryak (Orpheus flower).

It is a Balkan endemic- it is found only on the Balkan Peninsula. It grows in the cracks of the rocks. It is a protected species, included in the Bulgarian Red Book. The Silivryak withstands long droughts. Botanists have found that it can survive more than 30 months dried in a herbarium and when moisturized it begins to develop again normally. The plant shrinks its flowers when in the shade and immediately opens when the sun shines on it. The Silivryak looks much like the primrose, but its flowers are bluish-white in color with a funnel shape.

Here is one of the biggest populations of wild goat in the Rhodope Mountain.

In the area of the village of Murssalitza, situated at 18 km from the village of Trigrad is the protected area “Trigrad-Murssalitza”, which has given the name to the emblematic tea called “Mursalski” /also known as the Bulgarian Viagra/.

This herb is endemic and is found in just a few places on the Balkan Peninsula.

The biggest cultivations of Mursalski tea are on Bulgarian territory, at above 1000 meters of altitude, near the site Mursalitsa in the Rhodope Mountains (hence the name Mursalski tea), the field in Mugla and over Trigrad.

This perennial plant is one of the most useful herbs growing in Bulgaria.

In the 70s of the 20th century the astronauts have drunk it while preparing for a flight.

Japanese scientists, who studied the Mursalski tea, have found beneficial effects on multiple diseases.

Besides its healing properties, the herb possesses strengthening, anti-anemic and tonic effect, slows down aging, neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals and improves elasticity and smoothness of the skin.

Due to the massive and promiscuous picking, the troves are threatened and harvesting of the wild herb is prohibited since 1996. The species is included in the Red Book.