BULGARIAN NATURAL

ATTRACTIONSBY GABRIELA RUSKOVA, 10 YEARS

OLD

BELOGRADCHIK ROCKS

BELOGRADCHIK ROCKSThe Belogradchik Rocks (Belogradchishki skali) is one of the most famous and most impressive nature phenomenon in Bulgaria. They are a group of bizarre sandstone and limestone rock formations with different and amazing shapes, reaching up to 200 m in height. They form a strip, which is 30 km long and up to 3 km wide, and are located north of the western slopes of Stara Planina, near the town of Belogradchik in Bulgaria. The formations are a product of erosion. The name of the Rocks comes from the name of the town of Belogradchik.

GOD'S BRIDGE

GOD'S BRIDGE

It was declared a natural monument in 1964.

The God`s bridge is situated in the Chiren-Lilyache Karst region, north of the town of Vratza, which is one of the most interesting and most important Karst regions in Bulgaria, and includes many water caves, Karst springs, surface and underground water streams and rivers.

WATERFALL “RAISKOTO PRASKALO”

WATERFALL “RAISKOTO PRASKALO”

From the Paradise rocks in the Central Stara planina descends the highest waterfall in Bulgaria – Raiskoto praskalo. It is located under the Bulgarian natural reserves – Djendema. Among the inaccessible precipices, rock ridges, and marvelous nature is located this Bulgarian beloved beauty. Raiskoto praskalo waterfall is the highest waterfall not only in Bulgaria, but also on the whole Balkan Peninsula. It gives the beginning of a small tributary of Byala River. Byala River flows through the high-mountain pastures and the Dzhendema reserve – the kingdom of the inaccessible precipices, rock teeth and ribs, of floral and faunal diversity.

THE STONE MUSHROOMS

THE STONE MUSHROOMS

The Stone Mushrooms are located in a secure aria in the southern Rodophe mountain. The mushrooms have pink stumps and greenish hoods which reach 2,5 m in diameter. They form a fantastic composition over a territory of 3ha.

LEDENIKA CAVE

LEDENIKA CAVELedenika Cave is situated at a distance of 16 km from the town of Vratsa, in the territory of Vrachanski Balkan Natural Park. The cave is situated 830 m above the sea level in the north-west Stresherski section of the Vratsa mountain.Ledenika was opened to visitors in 1961, and in 2005 its infrastructure was entirely renovated. 53 species live inside it, among which is the insect Light-hater, which has adapted so well to the darkness, that if it goes out in the light, it dies.

Its name, Ledenika, comes from the icy stalagmites, stalactites and columns, which are formed during the winter at the beginning of the cave near the entrance. There is a small, shallow sinter lake, which according to a belief fulfills the desire of everyone who puts their hand in it.

THE STONE FOREST

THE STONE FORESTThese columns are found in Varna, Bulgaria. They're hollowed out and filled with sand, almost perfectly round, and grouped together. And they're 100 percent natural formations. Sometimes even prehistory is in on the conspiracy to make us believe that we've discovered evidence of alien visitors. These columns are no minor outcroppings. They can reach about ten meters tall, and stretch up to six meters wide. Some are hollowed out and filled with sand, while others are solid stone. They're called Pobiti Kamani, and they can stretch for miles.

POPINOLASHKI WATERFALL

POPINOLASHKI WATERFALL

The Popinolashki waterfall is a waterfall in the Bulgaria's Pirin mountain. It is located at an altitude of 1,230 m on the current of the Bashliitsa river. Its height is estimated at 12 m. There are woodlands in the vicinity.

On 11 October 1965 the waterfall was designated a natural landmark.

SAEVA DUPKA CAVE

SAEVA DUPKA CAVESaeva dupka is a cave in Northern Bulgaria near the village of Brestnitsa, Lovech Province.Its five halls and 400 metres of corridors offer some of the most beautiful cave formations in the country. Besides that the cave has hosted many Choral music performances, thanks to the excellent acoustic conditions. Saeva dupka was named after two brothers Seyu and Sae who used it as a hiding place during the Ottoman occupation of Bulgaria. Recent excavations have showed the cave was inhabited since Roman times. Currently Saeva dupka is one of the 100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria.

THE STOB PYRAMIDS

THE STOB PYRAMIDS The sandstone pyramids of Stob are among the most popular natural attractions for tourists in Bulgaria. They are near the village of Stob, in the region of the southwestern Rila mountain range. They were recognized as a natural landmark on 5 February 1964, along with the surrounding 7.4 hectares. The pyramids are 30-40 meters thick and 6-10 meters high, reaching a height of 12 meters in some places. Some of the pyramids are pointed and needle-like, while others are round and topped with sandstone “hats” having dimensions of 120/80 cm. and resembling giant mushrooms. Their bases are wide and often joined to neighboring formations. Most of the pyramids are on the south slope. They range from bright yellow to dark brown and red.

THE WONDERFUL BRIDGES

THE WONDERFUL BRIDGES

Chudnite Mostove (The Wonderful Bridges) is a rock phenomenon. It is situated in the karst valley of the river Erkyupriya in the West Rhodope mountain on 1450 above the sea level, at the foot of Golyam Persenk peak (2091). The bridges were declared a natural landmark by Decree of 18.07.1949. In the past the bridges had been one entire cave, formed under the destructive activity of the river waters. Parts of it were collapsing with time, forming majestic marble bridges.