The Natural park Vratchanski Balkan occupies the biggest area of the Vrachanska mountain and the massive of the Lakatnishkite skali. Its territory includes the town of Vratsa, situated only at the distance of 116 km. from Sofia, at 370m above the sea level at the foot of Vrachanska mountain.
The Vrachanska mountain is interstitial place between fore- Balkan and the main chain of Stara planina mountain. It rises to the south of Vratsa and the Vrachansko pole with grand rock slopes. To the south there is the gorge of the Iskar River. The west border is Drujevska sedlovina. The direction of the mountain is northwest- southeast. It is long about 30 km. and wide about 10- 15 km. From this mountain spring the rivers Leva, Cherna and Zlatitsa, and they divide the mountain into three parts- Belglichki (the southwestern), Stresherski (the northwestern) and Bazovski ( the eastern). The vastest one is the southwestern part with the highest peak- Beglichka mogila (1481,7m).
Unique in their beauty caves and chasms can be seen in the park. Their total number is above 500 and special interest attract Ledenika, Temnata dupka (Dark hole), Zmejova dupka (Dragon hole), Haidushka propast (haidushka chasm), Gardujuva dupka, Kalnata propast (Muddy chasm), Nevestina propast (Bride’s chasm) and Sokolova dupka (Eagle hole).
The favourable geographic and climate conditions of the Vrachanska planina and the valleys in the region attracted the people to settle here. On the territory of the Natural park “Vrachanski Balkan” there are a lot of cultural monuments and evidences telling of local people’s life. The objects are very different - historical, architectural, archeological, artistic: Ethnographic museum, The tower of meshchiite, The karpashovata tower,Cherepishki Monastery.
The geographic location, the rich flora and fauna and the unique relief, the regular transport are reason for the development of the tourism on the territory of the National Park “Vrachanski Balkan”. In the region of the nature landmark Vratsata is located a beautiful massive, called Dolomitite- a place for national and international alpine competitions. One of the attractive places in the park is the new-build Vratsa- eco path. It is the sixth eco path of that kind in Bulgaria and it is unique with its combination of attractive elements of the nature. It offers unforgettable feelings to the tourists and to the fans of nature.
The picturesque villages of Pavolche and Zgogigrad dispose of lovely furnished rural houses for development to the rural tourism. Here not only the Bulgarians, but also the foreign guests can feel the traditional hospitability, to enjoy the great nature, to taste delicious eco products, to taste excellent local wines. The villas and the hotels in the Natural park Vrachanski Balkan, offer perfect conditions for winter and summer children camps with educational programs.
On the territory of the park have been registered about 950 species of high plants, of which more than 80 are rare species. From scientific and preservation point of view the most interesting species are the groups living in the caves (vertebrates and bats) and the day birds of prey. There are 214 registered species of vertebrates in the park.
Within the limits of the park lies the reserve Vrchanski karst. It covers an area of 1453,1 ha, situated along the northern stone cliff slopes of Varchanska Mountain. The territory of the reserve is inhabited by the rare and endangered species of Egyptian vulture, peregrine falcon, short-toed eagle, long-legged buzzard, 8 species of bats etc.
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".
See on the mapWater Holes Cave is located in Apriltsi Municipality, within the Central Balkan National Park on the northern slope of the massif of Botev Mount.
See on the mapAlbotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.
See on the mapUzana - 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.
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.
See on the mapThe 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.
See on the mapA unique museum in the whole Eastern Europe dedicated to the production of salt by solar evaporation of sea water, Pomorie
See on the mapNatural Reserve Taukliman typical landslide with length of about 4 km, formed between the edge of the Dobrudzhansko plateau and the coast.
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.
See on the map"Monyak" fortress is one of the largest and high located fortresses in the Rhodopes near the village of Shiroko pole, Kardzhali Region
See on the mapVakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.
See on the mapA unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region
See on the mapThe megalithic complex "Gluhite kamani" is one of the largest Thracian sanctuaries since BC, whose strength continues to act today to anyone who visits it.
See on the mapA medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region
See on the mapThe monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is situated close to Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad
See on the mapRakovitsa 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.
See on the mapThe Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.
See on the mapElenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop
See on the mapA 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
See on the mapOne of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya
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