Madan

A unique opportunity for mining tourism in one of the oldest ore-mining municipalities in Bulgaria. Located in the southeastern part of the Rhodope, the municipality combines a rich history and various natural sites with crystal air and healthy environment.

The municipality of Madan is situated in the southeastern part of the Western Rhodope range, along the rivers Madanska, Arda and Cherna. Its territory is 175 sq km, and it borders on the municipalities of Rudozem, Zlatograd, Nedelino, Ardino, Banite and Smolyan. Its central town, Madan, is located on the banks of the Madanska river, 30 km away from Smolyan, and 120 km off Plovdiv.

Madan is an old ore-mining town. The extraction of leaden ore here was undertaken in 4-5 c. BC by the Thracian tribe koilaleti. Different mining objects from the Middle Ages were found in the old ore galleries. The mining industry became the main branch of the local economy at the end of the XX c.

The population comprises different Bulgarian ethnic groups and communities, a Muslim community professing Islam, and a Christian community belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church. Here you will feel different customs and traditions, will immerse into the life of each ethnic group. Live a really interesting moment of time, and find some time to visit this place!

The municipal territory belongs to the Xantic part of the Rila-Rhodope massif with its widely spread crystal series. In Madan you can find the unique Ore-mining Museum and Crystal Hall, which displays a collection of 581 mineral crystal samples.

Recently Madan has started developing mining tourism. The places of interest will include archaeological sites – the reconstructed cave Sharenka, two eco routes, the rocky sanctuaries Babata, Gubata and the Triangular cave, and the area Kechikaya.

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