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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Dambali tepe

Dambali tepe

Letovnik, Bulgaria

RELIGIONS Islam, Orthodox, Paganism

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE

DESCRIPTION
Dambali tepe is a mouth located between the villages Gruevo and Letovnik at about 8lm distance from the nearest town of Momchilgrad. Each year, thousands of Muslims and Christians come from all over the country on the night of 6 May. It is the dual celebration of Hıdırellez and St. George's Day. It is believed that in this night the water of the spring coming down from Dambali becomes curative and is able to treat every kind of illness - paralysis, eczema, insomnia, wounds, eye diseases, migraine, etc. The cult area is accessible by a marked dirt road through the villages of Gruevo and Letovnik, and the road to Dambali is marked with many signs from the fork to Momchilgrad. The sacred spring is easily accessible on a gravel road that starts immediately at the end of the village of Letovnik, Rahilovtsi neighborhood
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE
Dambali tepe is part of the crater of a huge volcano that has erupted four million years ago. The area of Skalna Glava (Kaya Bashi) has been populated since pre-historical times. During the stone age, trapezoidal niches have been carved in the rocks. Archaeologists have discovered nearby the ruins of a Thracian sanctuary and a large medieval Christian site - a church or a monastery. The local population is mainly Alevi, one of the sects in Shia Islam. They consider themselves to be migrants from the eastern part of Anatolia and ancient Persia, trace their roots to the ancient city of Khorasan, the birthplace of their spiritual leader Hadj Bektashi Veli. Near the spring is the tomb of Yaran Baba, patron saint and heavenly protector of the local population. The legend is that the water of the healing spring flowed from the fist of Yaran Baba. He stroked the rock to provide drinks for the congregation of saints at the mountaintop.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE
People believe that water gains miraculous healing power once a year in the first hours of May 6. This is happening at midnight, when a mysterious sound resonates in the oak forest. People from all over the land come to drink from the holy water, parents bathe their children into the small pool near the two-storey fountain.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
Hundreds of people with health problems come here in the hope of finding a cure, immersing themselves in the icy waters of the mountain spring. Whole families from across the country, from Greece and Turkey visit Dambali tepe on 6 may. It is the date of a dual religious feast, when Muslims celebrate Hıdırellez and Christians commemorate Saint George. People pour water from the fountain or straight out of the rock. On leaving, they tie some of their clothes on the trees - so that the disease stays there. On the following day, there is a religious service, offerings are made and a feast is held.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS
- Direct visit
- Classroom activity: Examine the shared values and syncretic spiritual practices of diverse religious communities as a basis for tolerance and interfaith dialogue.

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.