Rhodope

Rhodope, the ancient name of a mountain-chain (7474 feet) extending along the borders of Macedonia and Thrace. The Turks call it Dospad Yailasi, the Bulgarians Despoto Dagh, both titles having reference to the numerous (Greek) monasteries that stud its sides. Of these the most famous is the vast fortress-monastery of Rilo, in the north-west of the range, standing on its southern side in the midst of magnificent pine forests. Rilo has for generations been the focus of the national Bulgarian church and the mainstay of Bulgarian nationality. See Fortnightly Review (April 1891).