Tucked in the Rhodope Mountain, Zlatograd lies on the shed between its central and eastern massif. Situated in a picturesque valley, Zlatograd wombs the Varbiza River, ensuing directly from the heart of the town, where the Small River and the Big River merge. The border between Bulgaria and Greece runs along the ridges of the southern hills just besides the town. The town of Zlatograd is settled at about 300 km. southeast of Sofia, at 150 km. south of Plovdiv and about 70 km. of the resort Pamporovo. There are two routes to reach Zlatograd. The first one passes through Assenovgrad, the Bachkovo Monastery, Narechenski Bani, Chepelare, Smolyan and Madan. The other way is through the towns of Kardjali, Djebel and Benkovski. Here the summer is hot, with temperatures around 38-40°C, while the winter is mild and often with no snow.
     The town of Zlatograd is magic from the past and present. The town is the best combination between beauty and harmony. Zlatograd ethnic and cultural aerial has been inhabited for millenniums. The town itself boasts many centuries of history. Numerous archeological finds and cultural monuments are here to support this: pagan sanctuaries, acropolis, tombs, Christian and Muslim places of cult - all these wrapped in the romantic spell of folklore sagas and traditions.
     Zlatograd has preserved about 60 old houses from the Revival period. The traditional houses impress not only with their whiteness (probably this why in medieval times the town's name was Belovidivo i.e. "white-faced") and round chimneys, but with the genuine combination of architectural elements. Along with Rhodope-typical elements, one can distinguish Mediterranean styles (Xanti) and features of Old Plovdiv architecture. This specificity is traceable both in house planning and constriction, and in the general arrangement of yards and outdoor spaces.
     In 1834 the first church in the Rhodope Mountains "Uspenie na Presveta Bogoroditsa" was built in Zlatograd (just for 40 days, as the legend says). It is dug about one and a half meters into the inclined terrain, with three naves, one abscised, four sloped, slightly stretched. There are valuable icons, one of which is Zachary Zograph`s, on the iconostasis. The icon-painters are unknown, but most probably, they are from the Samokov and Tryavna iconography school.
     In the old part of Zlatograd is situated the largest preserved and restored compact architectural complex in the Rhodopes. It includes tailor, saddler, cutler, piping, and a goldsmith's workshops, where visitors can feel the spirit of past times and can find unknown objects and machines that are not just a tourist attraction. They are functioning and are used effectively even today.
     The goldsmith's shop, where the visitors can order antique-styled jewelry, displays specimens beautiful as if taken from a fairy tale.
     The tailor keeps at his shop exceptional curiosities and tools, which are hardly to be seen elsewhere - sewing machines dating at least 120 years ago, a collection of antique irons and archive photos.
     At the piping shop, the visitor's attention is arrested by the two pipe-knitting machines. These are a source of pride, being a creation of Bulgarian technical ingenuity in the first decades of XIX century.
     At the woodworking/carving shop visitors will be delighted to see an impressive collection of tools and carved products (using a variety of techniques). A special vitrine displays a most representative collection of carved artworks applied in various cultural monuments across Smolyan District.
     The cutler's shop traces in detail the historical development and variety of blank weapons (especially during the past two decades). Here the visitors can eyewitness the skills of a real cutler whose products are available off-shelf or can be crafted to your order.
     There are three water-driven facilities - whirlpool, fulling mill and flour mill. These are connected to a common water drive and are housed in a single building known as Vunzova Vodencica. This is the most attractive place in the whole complex!
     The whirlpool is a traditional "washing machine" - cost-effective and efficient, it enjoys plenty of clientele and continues to work at full capacity even today.
     The fulling mill is key equipment in the manufacture of russet and baize fabrics for traditional male and female garments. The huge wooden hammers are an unforgettable experience.
     The flour mill continues to work just like in the old days. Its maize flour goes to Zlatograd bakeries for their unmatched maize breads.
     Besides the old-time workshops, the Zlatograd traditional cafes and inns lend particular charm to the complex. "The Old Town" cafeteria offers a unique experience with its architecture, furniture and emotional atmosphere. Nowhere else can one taste the famed Zlatograd coffee - boiled on hot sand and blended to a recipe, which is still a family secret.
     Zlatograd is the birhplace of the famous national hero Deljo haidutin, for whom is written the song performed by Valja Balkanska. Now the song flies with the space station "Voyager" and glorifies Bulgaria and the spirit of the Rhodopes.
     Very interesting is and the location of the chapels "St. Atanas", "St. Nedelia", "St. Ilia" and St. Konstantin and Elena" - they are located on the fourth hills of the town and many local people believe that they protect the town.
     You easily can feel the atmosphere of the 18th century after looking the monastery school. It marked the beginning of the bright spirits and the aspiration of the local people for Enlightment.
     In the surrounding areas is settled the historical reserve "St. Nedelia". The peace, the fresh air, the legends is Zlatograd. If the weather is clear you can see and the White sea. Other picturesque recreation sights are revealed at the banks of Varbitsa River and "Zlatograd" dam, which is 3, 5 km. west of the town.
     Zlatograd - a fairytale combined with reality, which makes you come back again and again.