Thracian rock sanctuary Begliktash

from Katerina in Get to know Bulgaria! Visits 110

The Thracian rock sanctuary Begliktash (or Beglik Tash) is located about 5 km from Primorsko, near the mouth of the Ropotamo River, in the highest part of Maslen Nos.

Access to the mystical place was impossible in the 1980s, as it was within the boundaries of the Perla hunting residence used by Todor Zhivkov. The rock sanctuary was discovered only recently, during archaeological excavations in 2003. According to archaeologists' research, Begliktash has been used for ritual purposes from the 2nd century BC. to the beginning of the 4th century AD.

According to legends, the place is believed to grant wishes, and people who visit it believe that the energy emanating there will grant them children and a happy family.

Once you reach the first parking lot with a sign that says 1.5 km to Begliktash, you have two options. One is to park here and walk or drive on the dirt road another 1.5km and stop at another car park almost next to the stones. After we bought tickets (for adults 2 BGN, for children and pensioners - 1 BGN) they gave us an informative sheet. Certain places are marked along the stones, for which you can read what they are and what they served for. 14 are noted: Entrance, Marriage Bed, Altar, Throne, Sacred Ground, Large Rounded Stone, Small Rounded Stone, Holes, Cut Stone, Apostle Tash, Dolmen "Sacred Cave", Sundial, Labyrinth, House of the Oracle.

The labyrinth was of the greatest interest to me.

, it is a system of rock corridors through which the "unenlightened" passed in pursuit of spiritual initiation. Aspirants were faced with a choice that determined their spiritual quest. The left "magical" direction that led to the Realm of Hades was considered correct. The Underworld of Hades - a narrow fissure into which the chosen descended as the Supreme Ordeal. Thus they repeated the feat of Orpheus, who, according to legend, descended into the Underworld and with the help of the Gods managed to return.

According to information from the brochure

Begliktash is one of those magical places that I would describe as highly energetic, filling you with peace and love. Only mosquitoes try to sabotage things a bit, so it's a good idea to carry mosquito spray.