RAKITOVO

Overview:

Town: RAKITOVO | Region: South Central | Distance to Pazardjhik: 43 km
Place of nature: Rodopi mountain | Sites: SPA facilities

Rakitovo is situated in the northern part of the Rodopi mountains only 12 km east of Velingrad and 7 km southwest of the Batak Reservoir.

An early Christian church existed in the area of Nikolitza,  three-nave and cross-domed Basilica of IV – VI century, which was destroyed to the ground after the Ottoman invasion of the region. Today, a chapel marks the exact same spot.

One of the symbols of Rakitovo is a clock tower. This architectural monument can be seen on the Northwest Slope of the height Bardo, just outside town. The clock tower was erected in 1872 with donations from two local residents.

Velingrad is the SPA capital of the Balkan peninsula and a popular tourist destination. There are several hot springs in the area and the mineral water has well-known health benefits.