Pirin National Park
Pirin National Park occupies the bigger part of Pirin Mountain, which is set in South-western Bulgaria. The park borders with seven municipalities at Blagoevgrad region - Gotse Delchev, Bansko, Razlog, Simitli, Kresna, Strumyani and Sandanski.
Pirin National Park was created in 1962. It occupies more than 42 000 ha century-old forests, amazing peaks-giants, emerald lakes, beautiful edelweisses and limpid rivers representing the natural landscape of the mountain and the home for many animals such as wild goats, roes, bears, wild cats, wolfs, etc.
Pirin National Park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.
The park is divided into three zones with different regime. The zones area:
Territories with strict regime - these territories are occupied by reserves which are more than 15 % of the park's area.
'Bayuvi dupki - Dzhindzhiritsa' Reserve is one of the oldest reserves in Bulgaria. It was declared a reserve in 1934. Its aim is to protect the forests of pinus peuce and Bosnian pine and the rich variety of flora and fauna. In 1977 it was listed as a biosphere reserve in the UNESCO program 'Human and biosphere'.
'Yulen' Reserve was declared in 1994. It hides the variety of forests, alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems and the beauty of all shapes of the alpine relief.
Territories with temporary statute of protection. They are about 3 % of the park's area.
Human interference is allowed in the other territories which are about 82 % of the whole area. They are territories with tourist and protection functions divided into several park regions: Vihren, Bezbog, Bayuvi dupki, Kamenitsa, Sinanitsa and Trite reki.
'Vihren' is the park region with the most developed tourist net. It is near the attractive Bansko ski resort, which is very famous in the country and abroad. The main tourist destinations are Demyanitsa and Banderitsa Rivers, Vasilashki, Tipitski, Dalgoto and Ribnoto Lakes, and different rock gates.
One of the most significant sightseeing's in the park is located in the region. It is Baykushevata pine (spices of the Bosnian pine) which is one of the oldest trees in Bulgaria. It is more than 1300 years old.
The highest peak in the mountain Vihren (2915 m) rises here. It attracts many tourist and mountaineers.
'Bezbog park' region includes part of 'Yulen' Reserve. The information centre of the park region is situated in village of Dobrinishte. Significant tourist sites are the church of St St Petar and Pavel (1835) and the mineral springs of Dobrinishte.
'Bezbog' mountain hostel could be reached by a chair-lift from village of Dobrinishte.
On the area of 'Trite reki' park region is located one of the most visited and most beautiful mountain hostels - 'Pirin'. Another good place offering excellent conditions for the visitors is 'Gorski rai' recreation area.
'Kamenitsa' park region characterizes with the highest ridges rising above 2500 m. Above all of them rises Kamenitsa peak (2822 m). Here could be seen the beautiful lakes - Spanopolski, Bashliyki, Chairski, Mozgovishki, Tevno, Kuklensko.
Pirin National Park comprises 13 tourist routes, 8 mountain hostels, 4 huts and 1 camping. The park is a wonderful place for recreation, mountain walks and practicing winter sports.
Internet sources: http://pirin.bg/ http://bg.wikipedia.org
Pictures: http://bg.wikipedia.org, Internet
Chuprene Biosphere Reserve
The reserve is one of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria. It is established in 1973 to preserve the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria. In 1977 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves under the program "Man and Biosphere".
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Water Holes Cave
Water Holes Cave is located in Apriltsi Municipality, within the Central Balkan National Park on the northern slope of the massif of Botev Mount.
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Albotin rock monastery
Albotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.
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Uzana - the geographic center of Bulgaria
Uzana - the heart of the Balkans. In its embrace, the mountains has kept this extraordinary place where you can fully take charge with power and hours to enjoy its grandeur and beauty of nature.Far from the urban vanity you will find abundance of colors and shades, serenity and peace of mind. Here the warbling of the birds and the whisper of wild grasslands will put a spell on you forever.
Chervenitsa - geological phenomena over the village of Kunino
The natural phenomenon Chervenitsa is a molded boulder, rising more than 150 m above the terrace of the river Iskar in village of Kunino. It is located about 46 km east of Vratsa and approximately 120 km northeast of Sofia.
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The museum of salt
A unique museum in the whole Eastern Europe dedicated to the production of salt by solar evaporation of sea water, Pomorie
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Lopushanski monastery "Sv. Yoan Predtecha"
The Lopushanski monastery is located in the Balkan Mountain in the valley of Dalgodelska Ogosta river. It is operational and consists of a church, residential and farm buildings and a white stone fountain, all surrounded by a stone wall.
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Taukliman Reserve
Natural Reserve Taukliman typical landslide with length of about 4 km, formed between the edge of the Dobrudzhansko plateau and the coast.
Basilica Sveta Sofia - Sofia city
The Early Christian basilica Sveta Sofia is an active Orthodox church in the center of Sofia city. The church was probably built in the early VI century on the ruins of early Christian tombs from II - IV century and the ruins of two earlier churches from IV-V century. It is located among the necropolis of the ancient Serdica.
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Medieval fortress "Monyak"
"Monyak" fortress is one of the largest and high located fortresses in the Rhodopes near the village of Shiroko pole, Kardzhali Region
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Vakarelski monastery "St Petka"
Vakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.
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"The Womb" cave
A unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region
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Thracian sanctuary "Gluhite kamani"
The megalithic complex "Gluhite kamani" is one of the largest Thracian sanctuaries since BC, whose strength continues to act today to anyone who visits it.
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Krivus Fortress
A medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region
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"St. Konstantin and Elena" monastery near Ladzha quarter, Ivaylovgrad
The monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is situated close to Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad
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Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa
Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa was was found in X-XI century and during the Middle Ages was an important literary and cultural center in Bdin area.
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Roman tomb - town of Hisarya
The Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.
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Elenska basilica
Elenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop
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"St. Theodor Tyron and Theodor Stratilat" church
A unique monument of culture with extremely precious frescoes and icons included in UNESCO's list with the World Cultural Heritage, village of Dobarsko, Blagoevgrad Region
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Ovech Fortress
One of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya
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