Pazardzhik

Pazardzhik Province stretches from the Maritsa plain up into the western Rhodopes and the Sredna Gora. A trip to Pazardzhik means soaking in thermal baths in Velingrad, riding the narrow-gauge railway, and visiting towns that play a special role in Bulgarian history.

Pazardzhik and the Plain

The provincial capital sits on the Maritsa River, surrounded by vegetable fields and rice paddies. Its most important building is the 19th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God (Sveta Bogoroditsa), with a magnificently carved iconostasis from the Debar school. A museum is housed in the home of the painter Stanislav Dospevski. The town is quiet and easy to navigate, and makes a good base for trips into the mountains.

Sights in Pazardzhik Province

Velingrad in the Rhodopes is considered the spa capital of the Balkans: dozens of mineral springs feed its hotels and open-air pools, and the Kleptuza karst spring forms a turquoise lake in the city park. The narrow-gauge railway from Septemvri to Dobrinishte runs through the valley over bridges and through tunnels. To the southeast lies Batak, where a large part of the population was killed in 1876 during the April Uprising; the Church of Sveta Nedelya is now a memorial. Nearby is Batak Reservoir, popular with anglers. To the north, in the Sredna Gora, lies Panagyurishte, also a center of the uprising. The Thracian Panagyurishte Gold Treasure was found here in 1949: nine lavish drinking vessels of pure gold, which are usually on display in Sofia or at exhibitions. The spa town of Strelcha is not far away. If you have more time, head to the Chepinska River valley, where the villages of Rakitovo and Kostandovo are located. The Snezhanka stalactite cave near Peshtera is also easy to reach, and the forests around Batak Reservoir are ideal for long walks.

Food, Getting There, and Best Time to Visit

In the Rhodopes, you'll find patatnik and lamb; on the plain, peppers, tomatoes, and lyutenitsa, a spicy vegetable spread. Pazardzhik lies on the Trakia Motorway, about an hour from Sofia and 40 minutes from Plovdiv. Velingrad is a year-round destination for spa-goers; hikers do best between May and October.