The town of Yakoruda is situated 26km to the west of Velingrad and is one of the most beautiful settlements down the river of Mesta. It has expanded mostly on the left bank of the river at the height of 900m above sea level.
The present-day town has a long history. It is mentioned in a sultan’s decree (“ferman”) as early as 1508. Yakoruda’s biggest sights are its spacious church and old mosque. Similarly to other towns in the Rhodopi region, mineral water springs can be found close to Yakoruda, too. These are just 2km downstream, in an area named Banite (The Baths) where spa facilities, a public bath and an open-air pool welcome visitors. In 1998, a new church was constructed and opened just next to the complex.
Traditionally, Yakoruda’s citizens have lived on timbering and wood processing. Yet in the last few years, Yakoruda has started to develop into a tourist destination, too. The town is a starting point for hikes in the Rila mountain and the western ridge of the Rhodopi mountain, particularly the region around the village of Babyak. The village is an old settlement mentioned in a Turkish name of the 16th century. To the east of the town, one can get to the village of Ortsevo, wherefrom the Rhodopi peak of Veliitsa (1,712m.) can be climbed for about an hour.
