ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF SHIROKA LUKA
Shiroka Luka (population 850 inhabitants) is a village – museum, an architectural and ethnographic reserve, well known for its original Rhodope architectural style, musical traditions and history.
It is built amphithetarically in the narrow and steep valley of the
Shirokolashka river, at the foot of the Western
Rhodope Mountains and
Chernatitza, 1060 meters above the sea level. The village is situated 24 km northwest of
Smolyan, 22 km southeast of
Devin, and 11 km northwest of the winter resort of
Pamporovo.
Coming into this fairy-like village one suddenly finds oneself taken back to in the Bulgarian Renaissance period. The numerous old houses, which have preserved the typical Rhodopean architecture, the winding narrow-pebbled streets, the arched bridges at the river, the traditions, songs and speech of the local people give one the opportunity to submerge into the atmosphere of long past times and to feel the Bulgarian culture and spirit.
HISTORY
The settlement has exited since the 17 th century. It is settled at the time of mass conversion to Mohammedanism of the Rhodopean population during the years of Ottomane yoke.
At first the land was inhabited by the Urutzi tribe, who later moved to the Aegean region. The hamlet of Zaevite was firstly inhabited, but later because of a landslide the population moved to the valley of Lukovitza River, and then to the present place of Shiroka Luka.
The name of the village comes from the wide delta of the river of the same name.
LANDMARKS
The village of Shiroka Luka, declared an architectural reserve, has preserved its appearance of the Bulgarian National Revival. 90 sites have been proclaimed monuments of culture. Many of them are houses with a typical for that region architectural style. The oldest of them date back to the beginning of the 19 th century. They are two-storied with bay windows and high stone chimneys, thick walls, small windows, forged doors, internal wooden staircase and a small cellar with a hiding place. Most prominent among these houses are:
Kalaidjiiska,
Grigorov, and
Bogdan houses.
The most impressive building is the Sgurov Konak (Town hall), which now host the
Ethnographic Museum. The exposition shows the way of life during the National Revival Period.
Very interesting is the
church “Uspenie Bogorodichno” (Holly Assumption) built in 1834. The church has an impressive internal and external architecture. Next to it stands the Plamarchovata house, where in 1830 the first local school was established.
One of the two
secondary folk music schools is located here.
SURROUNDING AREAS
Only 7 km from the village of Shiroka Luka are situated the
Mineral baths of Beden, known since the Ancient times. Not far from the village are the rock phenomena
Glavata (The Head”) and
Momata (the Maiden), as well as
Liatnata gora (Summer forest). 7 km to the south is located the picturesque village of
Stoikite. The village of Shiroka Luka is a part of many tourist routes in the region of
Rhodope Mountain. It is a starting point of the routes to the peaks of
Turlata,
Goliam (Big) and
Malak (Small) Perelik,
Shirokolashki snejnik and others.
HOLIDAYS AND CUSTOMS
PESPONEDELNIK
Every year, during the first week of March, a folk carnival is held in Shiroka Luka, known by the name Pesponedelnik. This traditional ritual has roots in pagan times and represents a symbolic re-enactment of the creation of the world. Dancers, wearing hair-raising masks and monster-like attire, perform different dances and moves, which are believed to scare away the evil spirits of winter and to help bring health and good fortune to the people, as well as fertility to the land. The group of masked dancers, called Koukeri-gather from over the country to perform their regional types of dances.
ST.LASER DAY
This traditional ritual takes place eight days before Easter every year. Young maidens sing special songs to bring health and prosperity to the people while going door to door in the village. The maiden receive small gifts from those they visit. This used to be a popular day to ask for the hand of a woman in marriage for the young men of the villages in the region.
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