The Stone Dolls of Kuklica

Once upon a time, long, long ago, a village girl was anxiously awaiting her wedding, scheduled for that same afternoon. Having prepared everything well in advance, she wasn’t sure how to fill the morning hours. Having heard about another wedding in the neighboring village, she decided to walk over and see the happy couple who would be sharing her special day…

Imagine her surprise upon discovering her groom-to-be, marrying another woman! Furious, she crashed the wedding, while her betrothed tried to explain his despicable behavior. “I love you both,” he sputtered. “You for your beauty, she for her money.” In the end, he’d chosen wealth. The betrayed beauty spat out a horrible curse, instantly turning everyone at the wedding into stone: the groom, his new wife, the priest, the guests, and even herself.

That’s the legend, anyway. The real story behind the Stone Dolls of Kuklica has to do with erosion and the slow passage of millennia. But facts are booorrr-ing! The towering stones, reaching at least ten meters in height, really do resemble people at a wedding, and it’s much more fun to simply believe the myth. In the center, you can see the groom and bride, flanked by their best man and maid of honor. In front stands the priest, and seated in the gallery are dozens of guests.

A couple paths will bring you around and above the formations, and provide a view over this striking area. Just off the road to Kratovo, it’s easy to find and doesn’t require more than a half hour to visit.

Location on our Map

–A Visit To The Valley Of The Moon In Bolivia