The Stone Wedding

The Natural Landmark The Petrified Wedding (Stone Wedding) is located about 4 km east of the town of Kardzhali, near the village of Zimzelen. Along with the Stone Mushrooms located near the village of Beli Plast, it is one of the most interesting rock formations from the so-called Kardzhali pyramids, located on the hills Kayadzhik and Chukata in the Eastern Rhodopes.

The rock formations reach a height of 10 m and are located on an area of ​​50 decares.

According to scientific hypotheses, the Stone Wedding began its formation 40 million years ago as a result of underwater volcanic activity, from which rhyolite tuff rocks were formed. Later, after the sea receded, the rocks were exposed to rain, wind and sun, and these elements shaped their present form. Different minerals in the rock are the reason for the variety of colours and shades.

The name od the phenomenon comes from the fact that the rock formations look like people gathered in one place. Legend has it that a young man from the village of Zimzelen fell in love with a girl from the neighbouring village. During the wedding, a strong wind suddenly blew on the way to the village of Zimzelen and blew away the bride's veil. In the face of her indescribable beauty, all the wedding guests were speechless, and the father-in-law envied his son. The forces of nature petrified everyone because of the unclear thoughts of the father-in-law. Only the groom survived and through bitter tears asked the wind to petrify him as well. The nature elements fulfilled his request, as a result of which the phenomenon of the Stone Wedding still stands next to a puddle, which is considered to be the undried tears of the unfortunate groom.