Gastronomy and local cuisine: Rhodope specialties are well-known for being incredibly delicious and the only way to immerse yourself in their true essence is to try them in “their homeland” – the Rhodope Mountains. Rhodope cuisine is legendary. It is one of the reasons why tourists visit the region. Typical Rhodope foods are beans and potatoes. . Rhodopeans are also famous cattle breeders. Among the most popular Rhodope foods are patatnika, cheverme, katmi, kachamak and klina. Dairy products – cheese, yellow cheese, butter and cottage cheese – are environmentally friendly and can be found both in Smolyan and in dairies in smaller settlements. In some of the guest houses and taverns in the villages you can buy homemade produce. But what is Rhodope cuisine without dessert – strained yogurt with wild strawberry or blueberry jam. This is the incomparable end to any journey in the Rhodope Mountains. Historical sites Ethnographic areal complex – Zlatograd In Zlatograd is located the ethnographic areal complex “Zlatograd” – an open-air museum, which at the same time is part of the daily life of the city. The complex includes an ethnographic museum, craft workshops and an exhibition with water facilities. The tour of the complex begins at the museum, where visitors can learn about the history of the region. The museum has an archaeological collection, an exhibition that tells about the livelihood of the local population in the past, collections of costumes, jewelry and ritual equipment. A number of Bulgarian holidays and customs are celebrated in the ethnographic complex – Trifon Zarezan, Baba Marta, Todorovden, Enyovden, Koledari and others. Momchilova Fortress Momchilova Fortress is located near the village of Gradat, about 16 km from the town of Smolyan. The fortress was built in late antiquity (around the 6th century). It was included in the general system of fortresses against the barbarians coming from the north, whose attacks were particularly frequent at that time. At the entrance you will receive a brief story about the fortress and its history, and during your walk you will enjoy the majestic nature and the great views of the Rhodope Mountains. Agushevi Konatsi – Mogilitsa village The Agushevi Konatsi near the village of Mogilitsa have been an architectural and artistic monument of national importance since 1964. They are the largest late medieval feudal castle on the Balkan Peninsula. The Agushevi Konatsi consist of three successively connected courtyards with residential and farm buildings, and are isolated from each other by internal walls. Each yard had a well, the home of the master, the domestic servants, the premises for temporary workers on the farm, the stable, the barn, the granary and other farm premises. National Folklore Festival Rozhen The National Folklore Festival "Rozhen" is a festival of Bulgarian folk art and animal husbandry. It is held in the meadows of the Rozhen Pass, near the Rozhen Peak in the Rhodope Mountains. With its 100-year history, the Rozhen Festival is the guardian of traditions and carries the spirit of the Bulgarian heritage Bachkovo Monastery "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" Bachkovo Monastery "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" is located in the village of Bachkovo. It is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, after the Rila Monastery. Every year on the second day of Easter, a gathering of rural families is held in the "Kluviata" area, located southeast of the village. In honor of the patroness of the Bachkovo Monastery - the Holy Mother of God, the laity carry the miraculous icon of the Mother of God from the monastery temple to the rocks at "Kluviata" for worship.