Village of Beden

The village of Beden is a small and picturesque settlement located on three hills near the Shirokolukha River, about 14 km from Devin and 35 km from Pamporovo. Despite its compact size, Beden has a deep history, developed over the remains of an ancient Thracian settlement. The discovered necropolis and ancient temple of the god Heros testify to its ancient origins. The village is known for its mineral springs, specifically the Beden Baths. There is a mineral pool in the village that maintains a temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius.
About 2 km from the village is the medieval fortress Beadnos. It was part of the defensive system of the Rhodopes and was granted to the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander by the Byzantine Empress for his assistance during the civil war in the empire. In addition to Beadnos, the tsar received seven other fortresses, providing strategic protection for the region. Today, the fortress offers a beautiful panorama of Perelik, Mursalitsa, the Shirokolukha River valley, Devin and Batashka Mountains. After being captured by the Ottomans, the fortress was destroyed and currently, no excavations or restorations have been carried out.
Nearby, the village of Beden also features the Tsareva Mogila mound, dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. Its name is derived from a legend about the “Tsar’s Hill.” The mound was first investigated by the archaeologist Konstantin P. Makariev. In recent years, the village has become a site for folk festivals, with traditional Rhodope dances and music performed in the local style.