Welcome to Devin

They once called him Dee. Some believe that the Dukes come from the Bessi, a priestly tribe of the Thracian tribe of the Sattri, called by the ancient Greek historian Tuikit swordsmen. Others suggest that the name is related to the Thracian tribe diy, which in ancient times inhabited these lands. Diets were often mercenaries either volunteers in regular armies. Tuikidit describes them as independent and warlike, carrying their traditional weapon Mahaira - a short curved sword. Moving sequentially under the rule of various kingdoms and empires such as the Odrysian kingdom, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the First Bulgarian Kingdom, the Latin and Nikean Empires, The Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the feudal possessions of Alexius Slav and the Ottoman Empire, and changing its name from Dee, Selimé and Zdravets, today this place is located in the borders of Bulgaria and is called Devin.
Hidden at the foot of the Western Rhodopes, which protect it from the cold northwest winds, Devin is the village with the most mineral and healing springs not only in the country, but also in the Balkans, which makes it a mountain and balneological resort. For this purpose there is a balneological sanatorium and Spa complex "Struilitsa", with a sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, massages, billiards and a tennis table. Devin is located in Smolyan region, near Chepelare and Pamporovo, and is third in population in the area after Smolyan and Zlatograd. It is surrounded by pine and spruce trees, and the air is clean, with no industrial pollutants. The climate is pleasant with mild winters and cool summer. The rivers are rich in trout. In the vicinity you can see wild goats, which are rare for the Rhodopes. The Devin River passes through the town, which is a bit downstream flows into the Vacha River, giving her name to Vacha Dam.
The earliest traces of life are found in the area of "Use", where there are ruins of a Thracian settlement and a sanctuary. From the Middle Ages are the remains of the Bydgene fortress, which was a relatively small fortress and resembled a feudal castle.
In the city you can visit the Historical Museum, among which exhibits are a statue of god Hermes, dancing vakhanka, military Thracian armor, chrome, ornaments and pottery, St. George chapel and St. Ivan Rilski Church. For horses lovers 2 km south of the city there is a horse base built as horses are trained for mountain horse riding and are suitable for both advanced riders and beginners. Unique is the rock phenomenon "Elephant", located at the fork Devin - Smolyan and "Cherven kamak" area, which is part of the eco-trail "Hrastevo". Beautiful waterfalls "Samodivsko praskalo", located in the land of Devin, in the eco-paths Lakata, and the Bear Falls. 7.5 km away from the town is the Kazanite Reserve near the village of Gyovren. Here grow white fir, black pine, white pine, beech, spruce. There is an eco-path. At 8 km it curves its arched body and Kemerov Bridge. Its name means "arcade". They also call it the Roman Bridge, there is a road and a trail to Orpheus hut. 22 km southeast of Devin is the architectural and ethnographic complex Shiroka Luka and 8 km away from Beden Mineral Baths.
If you go upstream of the Vucha River, you reach the place where its two triangular and Buinovska river flows. The two rivers are carved unique canyons. Here is the Trigrad Gorge, as before it enters, Trigradska River sinks into the Devil's Throat Cave. Inside, it forms many waterfalls, then goes out like a big karst spring. Impressive with its beauty is the Buynovsko Gorge. The first 7-8 km gorge is wider, but after Yagodinska cave is narrowing. The rocks are almost in contact with each other, so the place is called "Wolf Jump". Local people tell that winter packs of wolves leap over the bums they rocks and attack their pens. 17 km away are the Chaires Lakes, which have seven natural landslides and are located at 1400 m above sea level in the Chairite Protected Site.
In the fresh air, saturated with the aroma of coniferous forests, the town of Thracian swordsmen, Devin, is waiting for you with its wonderful mineral springs, with its picturesque nature and its proud hospitable people.