Devetaki Cave, Archaeology

Devetaki Cave, New History

Kramolin, Fortress Grada

Kramolin, View of the Alexandar Stamboliyski Dam

Agatovo

Kakrina, Kakrinsko Hanche (The Kakrina Inn)

The Old Mill in Karpachevo

Each stop along this trail offers amazing stories and views; it provides you with the joy of immersing yourself in nature and history.

The story of Devetaki Cave is not only about the natural wonders, but also about the people who saved it and the generations who restored it after years of oblivion and destruction. Here we can feel the fear, hopes and dreams of those who came before us.

The Old Mill proves that tradition and innovation go hand in hand, as long as someone believes in their power. It shows us that when people believe in the future, even the old mill can become the scene of new adventures.

The Fortress Grada shows how a rock can be a home, a fortress and a witness to centuries of human destinies.

The dam is a symbol of human resilience and the fight against natural elements. It is also evidence of how history, culture and nature intertwine, creating a heritage that shapes the modern landscape.

The magic of the bronze fawn is not only in its historical roots, but also in the ways in which antiquity continues to inspire modern generations to preserve its heritage. This is a story about a small symbol that carries great power – to connect the past with the present and to inspire people to work to preserve their history and nature.

The Kakrina Inn is one of the most famous places associated with the revolutionary activities of the Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski, the place that gave him his last refuge before being captured by the Turkish garrison.

This Heritage Trail “In Between Bronze of Time and Mill of the Future” takes you to four karst formations:

• Devetaki Cave, Archaeology
• Devetaki Cave, New History
• Kramolin, Fortress Grada
• Kramolin, View of the Alexandar Stamboliyski Dam
• Agatovo
• Kakrina, Kakrinsko Hanche (The Kakrina Inn)
• The Old Mill in Karpachevo

• Length (km):
  • 91 km
• Duration (without a quest / with a quest):
  • 5 h / 5 h 30 min
• Getting there:
  • Cycling and walking
  • Driving and walking
• Special notes (e.g., clothes, equipment, weather, etc.)
  • Sturdy shoes (rocky terrain inside caves and slippery paths in the forest)
  • Flashlight or headlamp (low-light areas inside caves)
  • Smartphone or printed map (for navigation)
  • Notebook or phone (to take notes for clues, if you engage with quests)
  • Best Season: Spring to Autumn (April – October), when the caves are easily accessible and safe
• Safety guidelines
  • Be cautious of uneven surfaces in the caves
  • Watch for loose rocks or slippery surfaces
  • Limited mobile coverage inside the caves – download an offline map
  • Respect the sites – the caves are natural heritage
• Guided tour (by INHERIT partner) and/or self-organized trip by travelers
  • This trail can be taken by travelers on their own
  • Guiding is not offered
• Contacts for more details:
  • Devetaki Plateau Association
  • https://www.devetakiplateau.org/en 

Quest 1: 'Learn More About the Past and Rediscover the Present: Interactive Puzzles in the Old Mill'

Quest Overview

• Theme & Heritage Focus:
  • Archaeological and historical heritage of the Devetaki Plateau
• Duration:
  • 20-30 min
• Difficulty Level:
  • Medium, for children over 8 years old and adults
• Location:
  • The Old Mill in Karpachevo
• Best Season:
  • All year round

Mission
Find out more about the life of the ancient inhabitants and now-a-day citizens of the Devetaki Plateau.

Quest Description

Arrange a picture of cubes within a certain time, find the objects hidden in the Old Mill, draw fossils, color artifacts, assemble a model. You will get a detailed description of the tasks from the special Time Map in Old Mill. You can count on assistance from our colleagues who are waiting for you there. The Time Map tasks will change as time moves on.

Starting Point

The Old Mill in Karpachevo

Area Description 

Devetaki Plateau

Heritage Connection 

History, archaeology, modernity, preservation of historical and cultural landmarks

Success Criteria 

Going through the Time Map tasks

Participant’s Role

Completing the tasks from the Map of Time - arranging a picture of time cubes, discovering the objects hidden in the Old Mill, drawing fossils, coloring artifacts, assembling a model.

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