Studen Kladenets (Cold well)

Studen Kladenets is one of the biggest dams in Bulgaria and also includes an artificial lake. It is located close to the town of Kardjali. This is the most colorful artificial lake in the Rhodope Mountain. It forms beautiful bays and meanders, and there are a number of exceptional nature and historic sights along its coastline. The Yumruka (Fist) Peak rises over the north coast. The whole peak used to be encircled with an 800-meter wall, whose foundations can still be seen today. There were social buildings in the southern part. It was constructed by the Thracians before the new era. However, the greatest pride of The Fist is the white-headed vultures’ stock, living on a huge rock above the dam. Six kilometers away from the Fist is the Sarakaya wall. Sarakaya also provides home for several vultures’ couples, and the stock is certainly going to increase. The Monyak Fortress is situated on the unreachable slopes of the Monyak Peak, west of the Fist. The fortress used to be the main fortification of the Bulgarian rulers of the region at the dawn of the Bulgarian State. If you look around from the fortress, you will see a conquering scenic view of the mountain, especially in southern direction, where some enormous abysses start, reaching the dam shores. There is an island, inhabited by deer, in the central part of the lake. The highest part of the island keeps the remains of an ancient Thracian fortress.The biggest Bulgarian stag-breeding farm is located on the southern shore of the Cold Well Dam. The slopes in this part are rich in beautiful meadows, where you can easily see and photograph deer.