The first inhabitants of the village roamed for a long time until finally finding and settling on this sunny slope in Rhodope Mountain. Rhodope architecture of the 19th century, influenced by the mountain landscape, differs markedly from that in other places. For dozens of years, many of the locals worked as builders in the Aegean during winters. Due to lack of space, the houses grew in height. The ground floors serve as pedestals of the protruding facades. The southern walls of the second and third floors are frame-structured. The inner courtyard contains the farm premises and storerooms. The central part of the house is occupied by the gallery around which the rest of the rooms are arranged. There are a fireplace and pantry in one of them. The small home clocks are very interesting. Kalaidjiiska, Karovska, Bagrinska and Grigorovska houses are typical examples of Rhodope architecture. Zgourov Town Hall, the residence of the local Turkish administrator, is also quite remarkable.

     The inhabitants of Shiroka Laka guard their old traditions. Their hospitality is proverbial, their colorful rugs are unrivaled, and the emotional Rhodope songs have been sent journeying into space aboard the Voyager space ship.