The Stone Wedding – Eastern Rhodopes

The Stone Wedding is a natural phenomenon near the village of Zimzelen, 5km away from Kardzhali. Nature has left a very impressive stone formation which resembles a gathering of people, animals and birds. In 1974, this miracle of nature was declared a protected site of national importance. And just because it is an ancient Bulgarian place, there is an interesting legend told in connection with this place: A handsome young man fell in love with a charming lass from the near-by village. But - because she always wore a headcloth - he had seen only her eyes; he had never seen her face because of local custom. He loved her very much and became ill from the pain. His father was worried and went to the lass's family to save his son's life. He bought her, according to the custom in those ancient days, for a lot of gold. The wedding guests took the lass and set off for Zimzelen. Riding a mule, the bride was thinking about her native home but was happy to marry the young man. The father-in-law walked next to her with his son and all the wedding guests. As they passed through the clear stream, a sudden gust of wind blew away the bride's headcloth. The father-in-law saw and was awe-struck at the beautiful face of the young lass. He came 'round and evil thoughts entered his mind. The wind understood him and got furious. A storm began and then the worst thing happened -- the bride turned into stone, as she was all dolled up, on her mule. After her, the father-in-law and the wedding guests were turned into stone too. The young man could only stand in the terror and agony of the moment, but soon he began to wail and begged the storm to turn him into stone too. So it happened. He turned into stone but even today, there's a puddle shining in front of him. The village old people say the drops in this glimmering puddle are his tears.