Thracian sanctuary in Byalata Skala locality

The area of Byalata skala (The White Rock) is located in the Rhodope Mountain, a few kilometers northwest of Velingrad. The name of the region origin of a large rock which is about 220 metres long and 20 metres wide with sheer cliffs that are more than 50 metres high.

5000 years ago the region was inhabited by Thracian tribes. They built a fortress here because the area is naturally protected and there is a difficult access, to it. There are traces of a sanctuary in the upper part of the "Byalata skala" rock. To the sanctuary leads a stone path hewed into the rock. The road is still very well preserved due to the fact that for centuries it was covered by earth and stones and then the sanctuary and the fortress were not used.

In the area were found many artifacts as Thracian and Roman coins and remains of pottery, mostly from the Bronze and Iron Age.