Stambolov Bridge spanning the Yantra River in Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria)

Yantra, Yantra,
the sunset is burning,
fireworks shine in you...

Yantra, Yantra,
stop for a while, stop
and remind again your ancient hill,
bring in the night a quiet bell ringing.

Eternal, like love, you remain!..

Lyrics from Yantra

by singer Pasha Hristova

Kivgireniyat (Humpback) Bridge across the Trevnenska River in Triavna (Bulgaria)

At the highest part of the bridge there is the relief of a pitcher. Some say that it was a visual reminder to the people from the neighbouring, and rival Gabrovo, to wash their hands before entering refined Triavna. According to another version, it was the other way round – the pitcher warned the inhabitants of Tryavna to wash themselves before venturing to Gabrovo.

Legend

Stambolov Bridge over the Yantra River in Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria)

Where the sky broke through
there will fall the Bulgarian Tsardom
Clear stars speak of the army's tragic fate
the bright moon - Tsar Ivan Shishman himself will be dethroned

Some time passed, a letter came from Constanine's city
the letter tells and commands - the army has died
on the even field of Sofia fell and died
the last Bulgarian Tsar - Tsar Ivan Shishman

Queen of Tarnovo, bulgarian fok song

Devil's Bridge over the Arda River near Ardino (Bulgaria)

The legend states that during the Middle Ages, the Arda River over which it was built was very turbulent. Many had tried, but all had failed to tame the waters with their bridges. One particularly ambitious man made a pact with the Devil, who gave him the secret for creating a bridge that would last forever if he accepted to create the face of the Devil in his work, and if he didn’t complete the project in forty days, his soul would be taken to Hell. The man completed the project in 39 days, only to die two days later, taking the secret of his bridge-building mastery to his grave. The bridge still stands exactly as it was built 500 years ago, and when viewed from a certain angle, its reflection in the water creates an ominous visage.

Legend of the Devil Bridge

Dyavolsky Most (Devil's Bridge) over the Arda River near Ardino (Bulgaria)

The Rhodope Mountains were the homeland of mythological singer and poet Orpheus, known well for his voyage into the underworld to save his wife, Eurydice. It was through Devil’s Throat Cave that Orpheus ventured into the inner realm, where he made a deal with Hades and Persephone: he could guide Eurydice back to the world of the living, but he could not look at her until they successfully returned. They almost made it, but as Orpheus stepped through the final portal between our world and the underworld, he excitedly looked back too soon, only to see Eurydice fade into oblivion.

Legend of Rhodope Mountains