View of the natural wonder Belogradchik Rocks
Hello guys,
I like to travel and see the miracles of nature with my own eyes. That always reminds me of how insignificant our human problems are compared to the scale of the power of nature. And I definitely need a reminder to wake me up and take me away for a while from my daily tasks. So, I visited one particular place which amazed me for that reason. That being said, I'm devoting this blog to the natural phenomenon of Belogradchik Rocks.
It's funny that I always lived in a close distance to this place (not more than 100 km away), but I managed to visit just recently. I heard many of my colleagues and friends talking about those rocks, admiring and recommending them, and I never really paid attention to what they were saying. Until one day, I decided that it's about time to go and enjoy a full day in the area.
The Location
Belogradchik Rocks are a complex of natural rock formations close to the small city of Belogradchik. As they are named after the closest city, Belogradchik became well-developed over the years. The rocks are situated in Northwest Bulgaria and are a widely known tourist attraction. The place is actually outside of the city, in the countryside, next to the villages Rabisha and Belotintsi.
Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress
They are situated in a mountain area, part of the Balkan Mountains. I've been many times on this mountain, it's the longest mountain spreading across Bulgaria, but it was my first time to go so farther to the west. The Balkans are the oldest mountain in my country, and it's separated into different sections named after the closest area or a city. Even though Balkans is a geographical region, we actually adopted this word and use it as a synonym of "mountain".
I would say, the Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress are the biggest attraction in the region, as the Northwest is not very popular for its tourist opportunities. So, this wonder is actually helping the progress of the entire Northwest region. Well, according to me, there is always something to see in an area, as I heard about many other interesting caves, trails, rocks and natural bridges in a close distance to the rocks. The city Belogradchik itself has museums and other tourist sites. But, for most tourists, Belogradchik Rocks are the top destination.
video source: www.youtube.com
The Rocks
According to most travel guides, the area of the main complex spreads on around 90 square kilometers, and the highest rocks reach up to 200 m. Besides the rocks, there is a fortress surrounding them, which goes around the whole complex. The starting point is a huge gate and once you enter that, a new world of unique figures reveals its magnificence. Many of the formations have their own names, depending on the shape they create. Some of them look similar to a person or an animal, others are just gorgeous due to their size. Just as an example, there is a bear, a lion, twins, etc.
The first group of cliffs are situated near the city of Belogradchik. The most famous of these are called The Rider, Madonna, The Dervish, Adam and Eve, The Mushrooms, The Lion, The Monks, The Bear, The Castle, and The Shepherd Boy.
The color of most of the rocks is red varying to maroon and brown. The reason for these colors are the iron compounds contained in the soil. This phenomenon was formed millions of years ago through natural processes. Erosion, rainwater, and the wind shaped the structures through time to make them look like the way we see it today. And after many years they will change even more. I can see some of them are holding on a tiny base and it's surprising for me how they survived without falling apart. I guess nature knows its job so well that no human is capable of creating something even slightly similar.
Rock formations part of the complex
There are smaller formations outside of the biggest complex with the fortress. On the way to the rocks I saw many similar structures, but the most impressive ones are situated inside the main attraction. So it's not just one particular area, but nature created many formations around it, as well. They share a similar color to the biggest one, but it goes more to the brown tints.
Smaller formations part of the Belogradchik Rocks
The Climbing
Outside of Belogradchik Rocks, there is a parking and after 20 m is the first gate for entering the complex. Mountain paths are available across the area, so there is a bit climbing to reach the higher rocks. But it is not too hard, basically, almost any tourist can climb those paths and rocks. At every step, a new figure and a new angle of the rocks is presented. I noticed that a certain rock can look completely different when you watch it from the side or the front/back. Although most rocks have their particular names, defined by people a long time ago, the fact is that different people see different shapes and objects created by the rocks. It all depends on your imagination and mood.
View of the villages from the top terrace
Once you climb the highest rocks, a view of the villages can be seen from the top terrace. And since the altitude is higher, the air is very clear and refreshing. There are also some natural wells, like big holes created by erosion with smooth edges and perfectly round. They are different sizes - from 20 cm up to 1 m diameter. When it's raining they are filled with rainwater. I'm not exactly sure what those are used for or they are just a part of the landscape, but some of them were covered probably to prevent somebody step inside by mistake.
Natural well in the area
On the top of some of the rocks, plants are growing, which I find really strange, considering that the soil and the water shouldn't be enough for them to survive. Around the entire complex, one can find steps, paths, a few terraces for safety reasons and observation, because once you go too high the rocks become really steep. This destination is also a starting and an end point for several mountain routes for biking or hiking.
View of the rocks with the terraces
The Fortress
The walls of the Belogradchik Fortress
Those rocks being an old structure, have an amazing history. When it comes to the past, I think, many of the facts can't be absolutely confirmed, but there is information which is widely known. The fortress that was built around the highest rocks served various functions through centuries. Multiple legends exist for the people who lived there in the past years. The place is fully isolated by the mountain rocks, so with the fence around it, it is hard to be overtaken. This turned it into a protected shelter, and it was used as a defense and observation point. The fortress was reconstructed a few years ago to the way it looks today, but even before its reconstruction it was well preserved.
A part of the complex Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress
The Events
The complex is maintained by Belogradchik Municipality, which takes care of preserving this national heritage. Belogradchik Rocks are part of the list Top 100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria, which is used as a guide for the tourists. This month, there was an idea to use the complex to host a stage for an opera. The acoustics in the open air next to the rocks must have been an exciting experience. I feel a bit envious that I couldn't go to this event, in a nice way, of course. That was the first event of this type made inside the fortress, and I suspect that the plan is to organize more - operas or concerts. I agree it's a fantastic idea, and just hoping that will not affect the rocks in a negative way.
One interesting fact is that in 2009 the attraction took part in the competition for the New7Wonders of Nature. Although they didn't manage to win that year, this participation is pretty indicative for their uniqueness. Many other events are organized in the area, sports are practiced, climbing, jogging, etc.
video source: www.youtube.com
The Area
Since the rocks are outside of the city, the closest area is covered by pine woods and tiny paths are scattered around the forests. They offer plenty of picnic spots for a nice relaxing afternoon when the weather allows it. Collectors have the option to buy souvenirs or coins with the image of the attraction engraved on the metal. The fortress and the Belogradchik Rocks are open for visitors during the warm seasons - from the end of spring until the beginning of autumn. Unlike many other sites, this attraction has lots of signboards with detailed information about the fortress and the rocks, which help to get you into the atmosphere. I saw plenty of maps not only of the city Belogradchik, and all routes around the area but also guides about all tourist attractions in the entire Northwest region.
A path in the pine forest close to Belogradchik Rocks
When I was there it started raining heavily so part of my trip was hiding under the gate and waiting for the rain to stop. But I'm not complaining, as this way I extended my vacation and the view from underneath the arch of the gate was fantastic.
Overall, this is a top destination in Bulgaria, and I definitely recommend it to all tourists traveling to that region. The entire walk through the rocks shouldn't take more than three - four hours, so this is a time well spent.
Thanks for reading!
- NinaB
