The Smolyan lakes

In the heart of the Rhodope Mountains, to the north of the town of Smolyan, in the foot of a beech forest, the beautiful Smolyan lakes lie in tiers on the left slope of the Black River. The Orpheus rocks rise above them giving the valley mysticism and uniqueness. Now only seven of the one-time twenty pearly-emerald Rhodope eyes have remained. The highest constant lake is called Matnoto (the turbid) lake, as its name comes from the dense coniferous wood, the shadow of which makes the water look dark, almost black. The biggest Smolyan Lake – Milushevski dol (Milushevski glen) – is 178 m long and 4 m deep. Most of its surface is covered with a thick layer of turf, and exuberant grassy vegetation overlays the lake during the summer. The magnificence of the Smolyan lakes springs up against the mountain scenery – a picturesque mixture of woody slopes buried in greenery and queer shaped rocks dappled with flowers and spruce groves.