Shiroka Laka is a village - museum (an architecture and ethnographic reserve) well known not only throughout Bulgaria, but abroad as well, for its original Rhodope architectural style, musical traditions and history. It is located on the two banks of Shiroka Luka River and is 12 km away from Pamporovo Resort and 24 km from the town of Smolyan. It is the centre of a region of 5 villages (Stoikite, Gela, Stickal and Solishta) populated by Christians and Muslems. It was founded after the most massive forceful conversion of the population of the Rodope mountain into the Islam during the Turkish domination (17th century).
The residents of the village built the Holy Virgin Church in 1834 in 38 days only. The brothers Zachary and Dimitur Zograf painted the frescos and a school was opened in it only one year later. In those difficult years the village was a place where Bulgarian spirit and traditions were retained.
The natural conditions, the uncertainty prevailing in the centuries of the Ottoman rule, the national identity of the people and their economic prosperity were reflected in the architectural style of the houses that belong to the type of a “large Rhodope house”. They are two-storied, with bay windows and high stone chimneys, thick walls, small windows, forged doors, internal wooden staircase and a small cellar with a hiding place. The rooms have cupboards hidden in the walls, closets, etc. The yards are small, stone paved, with an outdoor drinking-fountain. All this is built with exquisite taste in harmony with the environment. Most prominent among these houses are Kalaidzhiiska, Uchikovs', Grigorovs’, Bogdanov’ houses, Zgurov Inn, etc.
The arched bridges above Shiroka Luka River and some of its tributaries add romanticism to the village. The songs of the village are unique, melodious and very lyrical. They are sung to the accompaniment of kaba-bagpipe, flute and rebeck. The legendary Captain Petko Voivoda (The Commander) has visited the village many times. One of the two secondary music schools in Bulgaria is located here. Tourists would find especially fascinating the festival “Pes Ponedelnik” which takes place every first Sunday of March.