Home � Tourism � Chukata na Gidika (the Rocky Passage)

A strange name for a Thracian sanctuary. It is not very well known, in fact not at all. It is located above Dyavolski Most (the Devil�s Bridge) by Ardino, but much closer to Galabovo village, Banite Municipality. From the Devil�s Bridge-Galabovo track you need to turn off to a steep path, going down. There are steep slopes on both sides of the path. Probably this is where the name comes from � "Rocky Passage".

This is what you see on both sides: after you reach the sign reading �10 minutes from the road fork� (in Bulgarian it reads: �10 ��� �� ���������) there is a steep climbing-up (about 200 m), leading to the sanctuary on the top of the hill, which is located in the middle of a river meander. The river flows about 300 m below your feet and the view is incredible.

I realize now why the Thracians chose this place to perform their homage.

The oldest artefacts found here date from the bronze and the early iron age, 1500 years BC. During X-XI c a chapel or most likely a small monastery was built here. These were the lands of the Bessi tribe, which strongly resisted accepting Christianity.
A treasure of coins was discovered in the region. It includes 74 silver Venetian coins and 5 gold hyperperons (a Byzantine coin in use in the latter Middle Ages).
Archaeological excavations are taking place, but they are still in their initial stage.
There is a panoramic picture of the area so you can see where the next Thracian sanctuary - Karaburun is situated.
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