Ardino – one Devil’s Bridge

There are a number of Dyavolski Most (more commonly known as “Devil’s Bridges”) in the Balkans (I saw the Shkoder bridge last year and will see Mostar in July) but the one outside of Ardino is the largest and most impressive. It is part of the ancient road connecting the lowlands of Thrace with the north Aegean Sea coast and apparently its not had ANY repairs for 500 years (when it was rebuilt by the Ottomans)?!

I think I was incredibly lucky to see it with blue skies and still waters, so the reflection truly was breathtaking. As it is in the middle of a gorge, it is often shrouded in mist (which adds to the atmosphere, if not the photo!)

The view from the bridge…

There are a number of legends associated with the bridge; one states that if you look down from the top of the bridge, you will see the devil reflected in the water (I only saw a reflection of myself. No comment).

I had intended to hike the way from Ardino (it is around 10km and would have taken between 2 and 4 hours each way, depending on what source you trust!) but a farmer driving the road insisted on picking me up and dropping me at the top of the official hiking trail (2km from the bridge). Then on the way back, much to my amazement, he was waiting for me and took me back down to Ardino! I think he got a little bored of me saying (read: mispronouncing) blagodarya… That’s two days on the trot where I have accidentally hitch hiked, which is a testament to the generosity of this region.

Tomorrow I will spend most of the day in transit to Chepelare, because the bus timetables don’t line up in my favour. But, in the Chepelare hotel there is a sauna and a teeny tiny jacuzzi, so I am very excited to get out my waterproof Kindle case!

TTFN, x