Millennia of turbulent events and a population that is way beyond simply “ethnically diverse” have left a deep mark on the lands of the Eastern Rhodopes. In the region of Kardzhali, merely the list of all cultural and historical sights, religious temples, architectural landmarks, museums and galleries is impressive and self-evident. The rich and colorful heritage is complemented by a myriad of legends. Nature was kind to the area and generously created fascinating sceneries, beautiful waterfalls, one-of-a-kind cliff shapes, unique caves and habitats of countless plant species.

Undoubtedly, among the best known places in Kardzhali is the archaeological complex "Perperikon". One of the largest Rhodope castles (VI - XIV c.) occupies a total of 12,000 m2 area and consists of a Palace- sanctuary, a Thracian fortress, a village and a round temple. It is believed that the complex was among the capitals - residences of the Thracian rulers. Perperikon is the largest megalithic monument in the Balkans. It is associated with the first European civilization-the Minoan Crete and examples of the first European writing systems- Linear A have been discovered here. A City of rocks, created by the mysterious people of The Rocks...

The Medieval monastery “St. John Prodromos” ("St. John the Baptist "); the Medieval bridge by the village of Nenkovo; the Ancient mines "Sremskite labirinti "(Sremski mazes), the Thracian and medieval fortress of Vishegrad ;  the Monyak fortress (The Medieval fortress of Mneakos) and the Patmos fortress, on the left bank of Borovitza river, to name but a few, are just a small portion of a priceless cultural wealth.

An infinitely beautiful “set” of unusual stone pyramids, whose shape closely resembles a wedding procession, is known as the "Stone Wedding". The natural landmark is near Zimzelen village, Kardzhali. The rock formation has been provoking the local folklore for ages and there’s an exciting legend of a wedding procession, petrified by the natural forces because the father- in- law had indecent thoughts about the bride.

Another group of rock formations – Kamenni gabi (the "Stone Mushrooms") near the village of Beli plast - takes pride in its own legend. There’s a legend for the unique "Womb" cave as well - it is said that whoever visits it will remain barren. At first, the cave was shallower, but Thracian “hands” carved it further into the rock into the shape of a female womb. The entrance is shaped like a vulva and at the inner southern end there’s a carved altar, symbolizing the uterus. From the ceiling, through a deliberately cut slit, a sunbeam penetrates at noon projecting to the floor. The phallic shaped light gradually increases in volume, rushes to the altar-uterus and symbolically fertilizes it.

Many legends about the ancient silver-tongued singer Orpheus are still being told and dozens of others about heroes and people that lived here in more recent times.

Another ancient site in the area, unique with its architecture, construction and finds "gives a regular fodder" to both scientific researches and local folklore. The Tatul complex consists of an ancient pagan temple and a medieval fortress and presumably dates back to the 4-th c. BC.

The area of ​​Madzharovo is in no way inferior to that of Kardzhali with regards to abundance of archaeological and historical sights. It’s even compared to an open-air museum. Over the last few years more than 40 historical monuments have been documented here -numerous rocky openings and recessions, antique and medieval castles, rock tombs, sanctuaries and shrines, a Thracian necropolis and a megalith facility.