Connected artistic / architectonic / historical heritage
the town of Tran; rock chapel “St. Petka”; natural phenomena, stone bread, stone footprints.
The legend tells that for several years in the cave lived Sveta Petka - cruelly persecuted for her Christian faith. It is believed that St. Petka was born in Epiphani, today's Turkey, but grew up in a Bulgarian wealthy family. As a woman reaches the age of majority, the merciful woman donates all her property and begins to travel and preach. Pursued and forced to live for 40 years in the Asian desert, Petka decides to return to her hometown, where she begins to heal, but once again persecuted, seeks refuge in Thrace. He reached Tran and settled in the cave, but the troops managed to reach her in this high and secluded place.
St. Paraskeva (Petka) is a particularly beloved and respected saint in many local churches. There are also many temples devoted to it. From 1238 until her fall under Ottoman rule her holy relics were resting in the church of St. Petka Turnovska in Veliko Tarnovo. After centuries of wanderings in 1641, they were laid in the cathedral in Iasi (northern Romania) and are now the place of pilgrims from all over the world.
Local traditions or historical connections
The stone bread also looks like a solar symbol and can be considered as a part of the megalithic temple of the Great mother goddess, where in her womb (the insides of the cave) her son is born – the god of sun. A rock arch facing northeast and situated next to the cave is considered as a symbol of the new birth.
Ailing people go to the arch and pray facing to the east. They go through the arch for good health.
Today, the locals say that if a person wishes something and touches the petrified bread, the footprint of St. Petka's footstep or palm, the desire will come true.