Bakadzhitsite
A chain of hills - "Bakadzhitsite" - connects the eastern outskirts of Sredna Gora Mountain with the northern ridges of Strandzha Mountain and separates Gornotrakijska Valley from the Valley of Burgas. "Bakadzhitsite" extend southeast from the town of Yambol in an 18-mile arc along the valley of RiverTunja. The origin of their name is associated with the Turkish words "bakmak" - "look, see" and "achik" - "visible from afar." Indeed, the chine offers incredible views everywhere you turn and all the way to the Black Sea.
Bakadzhitsite are not exactly well-known landmarks, but they truly have great natural significance, unique beauty and fascinating history. Their ridge is the main watershed of Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula, separating the basins of the Black and Aegean Seas. Bakadzhitsite rise about 300 m. above the surrounding lowlands, occupying a total area of 46 km2. The chain consists of three parts: Tarnavski Bakadzhik - the highest of the three (515 m. at Asan Bair Peak), Tamarinski Bakadzhik(400 m.) and Voinishki Bakadzhik (488 m.)
Seasons here are pretty mild and the air is pure and healthy. Nature has endowed Bakadzhitsite with diverse flora and fauna.
Since Antiquity, Bakadzhitsite have always been an important strategic location. They were inhabited by the Thracian tribes of Odryssae and Besi. From the Thracian period, there are still preserved tombs in the western parts of Turnavski Bakadzhik, by the villages of Chargan, Kozarevo and Kalchevo, partially preserved tumuluses at the Dedeitsa and Kyoi Tepe summits and mounds in the Northeast Tamarinski Bakadzhik as well - in the areas of Kavak Dere, Tityuva tranka and the Kokardzha Spring. The Mal Tepe Hill was most probably one of the places here where Thracians extracted gold in open-pit mines.
Remains of Roman fortresses were found at the St. Spas and Kaleto Peaks in Turnavski Bakadzhik, the Kaleto Peak in Vojnishki Bakadzhik and others. The famous "Cobblestone road" at the northern foothills of Tarnavski Bakadzhik dates back to Roman times as well.
Bakadzhitsite had a strategic role in the Byzantine and Bulgarian empires. One of the most famous historical sites of the First Bulgarian State is the frontier trench called "Erkesiata" that crosses Bakadzhitsite at the Dyuzlyuka area. Erkesiata was a massive defensive structure with a length of 130 km, built with the labor of about 15 000 men. Probably the frontier trench was built in the VIII century to protect the region of Zagorje. Erkesiata was proclaimed a historic site.
In Voinishki Bakadzhik there are remains of several "holy places", including the "Assumption of the Holy Mary" monastery, located south of the Peak Kaleto. The holy spring "St. Nedelya" is at the northern slopes of the summit. The "Haidouk houses" and "Indzhevi Izvori” areas in Voinishki Bakadzhik, declared "places of historical importance", are fascinating landmarks.
At the ridge and on the southern slope of Tarnavski Bakadzhik, between St. Spas and Dedeitsa Peaks, many new buildings, chalets, holiday places, villas, residences and others were recently built.
The unique beauty of Bakadzhitsite, their proximity to the town of Yambol and the numerous and diverse landmarks make them an attractive tourist destination.