Half-day tour to Belintash Thracian sanctuary from Plovdiv

Families

Languages spoken: English

Duration: 6 hrs

Difficulty: Easy

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Highlights

Beautiful Belintash Thracian sanctuary
Amazing views of the Rhodope Mountains
Walk around places of myths and legends

All about the trip

Belintash is a beautiful and mysterious place in the heart of the Northern Rhodope Mountains. It is a high rock plateau with 360 degrees breathtaking panorama all around. More than 7000 years ago, there was the largest sanctuary of the Thracian god Sabazios who was the father god of the sky. He was also a god of the plants, agriculture, medicine, nature, and man. Later on, the ancient Greeks renamed Sabazios to Dionysius and used him in their pantheon of gods. The Greeks interpreted Sabazios with both Zeus and Dionysus, which were his representations.

Archaeologists agree that this site is an ancient sanctuary of the god Sabazios worshiped by the Thracian tribe Bessi, who once inhabited the Rhodope Mountains. In support of this view, a silver votive tablet of the deity was found at the foot of the cliff.

It is also assumed that in the past this was the main Thracian sanctuary in this part of Europe, in emulation of the famous Delphic one. According to historical sources, Belintash was a place for offerings and prediction. On altars, priests poured wine into flames and depending on the flame height, they predicted what the future will bring.

On the smooth surface of the plateau, there are stored hundreds of iconic rock-hewn wells, channels and other items for religious use of the unresolved character. According to some opinions, these creations of the human hand are one of the oldest maps of stars and constellations, dating back 7000 years ago. Because of that, some researchers suggest that Belintash was an ancient observatory as well.

Belintash is subject of many myths, legends, and researches. This holy site is often visited by people who come here to measure the specific energy that the place emanates. In the early ’90s, a treasure hunter went to the very famous Bulgarian prophet Baba Vanga and asked whether it was worth digging near Belintash. She replied that the eastern slope of the plateau was an ancient graveyard and there was about 800 kg of buried gold. The prophet woman also said that eight lives must be taken in order to uncover the secrets of Belintash. According to a legend, the golden chariot of Alexander the great is buried at Belintash.

What Wikipedia Says

What is included in the price

English speaking tour guide
Pick-up and drop-off from Plovdiv

What is not included in the price

Insurance
Lunch and drinks

Instructions

Please show up at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

What to take with you?

Please don´t forget to bring a camera, snacks and comfortable shoes.

Itinerary

08:30	(or 09:00, 09:30, 10:00) departure from your hotel in Plovdiv
14:30	(or 15:00, 15:30, 16:30) return back to your hotel in Plovdiv

Where do we meet and where will the trip end?

Meeting place:

We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Plovdiv. Please let us know your hotel name during the booking.

Final destination:

Same as the meeting point

Cancellation Policy - Benevolent

Cancellation more than 4 days prior to the starting date. Clients are automatically refunded the full booking price.
Cancellation within 48 to 96 hours prior to the starting date. Clients are entitled to a 50% refund of the booking price.
Cancellation less than 48 hours prior to the starting date. No refunds.

The full Terms and Conditions are available on our website.