Rock phenomenon "God's bridge"
The rock phenomenon "God's bridge", also known as Zhabokrek, is located in Chiren-Lilyache karst region in North-western Bulgaria, separating the areas of the villages of Lilyache and Chiren, Vratsa Region.
It is located at about 15 km north of Vratsa, 32 km east of Montana and about 123 kilometers north-east of the capital Sofia city.
The bridge consists of huge stone arches and thick and strong columns, forming vast halls with lots of sunlight. It is 20 m high and 25 m wide. Just below it you can find a real maze of small caves, whose total length is 100 m. It was formed over the small creek Lilyache that springs from the dungeons, and whose inhabitants are many frogs (this is from how it received its other name - Zhabokrek).
In summer the river turns into several small ponds that never dry up, as the temperature under the bridge is low enough to keep the water supplies.
The God's bridge has reachet to its present form after thousands of years of formation. It is assumed that once this place there was a huge cave, part of the walls of which were destroyed by a devastating natural disaster. Due to the wind and water erosion, the stones became smooth and the space under the canopy became detailed. In the caves you can find lots of smaller caves, as well as a bunch of side branches at a higher level, which can be reached either by climbing or via a specially installed wooden staircase.
THE LEGEND
Legend has it that the only "work", which endured the water power, is the unshakable "Bridge of God". Its name is associated with the divine powers that are given to the phenomenon and with the legend which says that "the gods had to go over the bridge in order not to walk in the river."
Another version is that once King Constantine and Queen Helen lived in the majestic cave halls under the God's bridge, amazed by the perfect forms and natural beauty of the area.
The bridge was declared a natural landmark in 1964.
TRANSPORT
The "God's bridge" is suitable for visitataions all year round. Iit can be reached in two ways. The first is through the village of Chiren, but the easier one is through the village of Lilyache / from Vratsa by car on highway E79, as you turn near the village of Beli izvor/. There are signs on the way .
The place is visited by eco lovers and foreign tourists. There are trails with camping sites, the dangerous sites are secured and the numerous bridges and benches reveal a magnificent panoramic view. If they want to see where Queen Helen used to meet the dawn, the visitors can visit the high alluvial terrace with romantic name "The balcony"
ACCOMMODATION
Visitors can take advantage of several hotels within the regional center Vratsa as well as from the wonderful conditions of a guest house in the village of Kravoder / 17 km southwest of God's bridge /.
Sources: http://relax.rozali.com, http://zabelejitelnosti.info, http://bghotelite.com
Photos: http://bghotelite.com, http://relax.rozali.com, http://www.razhodka.bg
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