Village of Zabardo

The village of Zabardo is a picturesque Rhodope village located in the Chepelare Municipality, Smolyan District, Bulgaria.

6 km after Hvoyna is the turnoff for Zabardo and the natural landmark "Wonder Bridges". The intersection is notable for the sculptural composition "Hospitality of the Rhodope Mountains".

The bronze bagpiper and a Rhodope woman with a pita bread in their hands symbolize elements of the traditional welcoming of guests in the mountains. In front of the sculpture, fresh trout and fish delicacies from the nearby fishpond are always offered.

The road to the village is narrow, bend after bend alternates in the folds of the mountain stream and you have to drive with increased caution.  After 9 km. with a gentle climb you reach a fork, from which to the left is to the village, and to the right to the natural phenomenon. After another 3 km you reach the village, which is located on both slopes of the Zabardovo River. The village is in an excellent location for hiking to the ridge of the Chernatitsa hill and the surrounding spacious meadows and fields. The local community center has an ethnographic exhibition with woven exhibits - carpets, rugs, as well as carved panels, which are for sale.

An attraction here is the Zabardovo Ferris Wheel with a diameter of 6 m, restored as it was only from wooden parts based on memories and photographs from the early 19th century. It is placed in front of the town hall in the center of the village and awaits another village-wide holiday to cheer up its residents and guests.The village has categorized tourist sites with accommodation and food options.

One of the most interesting natural phenomena in Bulgaria - the Wonder Bridges, are located 16 km along the turnoff from road II-86. They are located among an ancient spruce forest at 1450 m above sea level in the upper reaches of the Aidarsko Dere River (Dalbok Dol). They are natural rock bridges that have formed over thousands of years.

The village preserves the typical Rhodope spirit – with folk music, costumes, culinary traditions (kachamak, patatnik, klin, etc.) and hospitable residents. Every year, fairs and festivals are held, which bring together people from near and far.