I visited this unique place - Deaf Stones in June of last year and the feeling it left in me is still very strong.
The rock cult complex is located in the Eastern Rhodopes and according to data is one of the largest such complexes in this area.
With a girlfriend we arrived by car, passing through the village of Malko Gradishte, and we went to the place by bicycles, passing a dirt road with beautiful surroundings.
The place we reached was impressive and mysterious.
Massive monolithic blocks with carved rock niches in trapezoidal shapes.
According to Wikipedia, the niches are more than 200 in number. In addition to trapezoidal niches, rectangular, round and vaulted niches were also discovered.
We left the bikes and excitedly started exploring.
There were small paths, each leading to an interesting landmark. The paths were steep in places, but there were wooden railings or ladders that made it easy for us to climb up or down.
We passed through a narrow rock niche.
A closer look at the rock-cut niches.
There are several theories about the purpose of niches. One of them is that they played the role of urns for placing the ashes of the deceased. According to another statement:
"were intended to recreate a constellation from the vast Komos, and thus humans made their connection with the universe."
sourse: keepliving.eu
We climbed wooden stairs.
In some of the niches we could see icons placed.
We went to the westernmost massif, which is also the highest.
There it was even more interesting because we were about to see excavations of a church dating from the V-VI century, stone steps and two tombs built at the base of the rock.
The Excavations:
The small stone niche:
The large stone niche in which icons and candles were left.
The stone steps that lead to the top of the cliff.
They are located to the right of the tombs and are 33 in number. At the top is a hollowed-out rectangular basin that served as a reservoir.
From the top there is a beautiful view of the Eastern Rhodopes and the Ivaylovgrad dam.
Before heading back to the starting point to get on the bikes, we saw more excavations, beautiful natural sights and wonderful views.
sourses: wikipedia , keepliving.eu
