The Belogradchik Rocks are a group of bizarre sandstone and limestone rock formations, 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, which vary in color from red through yellow to grey, are a product of erosion and every distinct rock is named after an object it is believed to resemble.

The only site nominated in Bulgaria for the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World is the Belogradchik Rocks. The Belogradchik Rocks is competing against 261 natural phenomenon in 222 countries. Voting will take place until 07.07.2009. The final 21 sites will be announce on 21.07.2009. Another round of voting will take place until 2011, when at that time the 7 finalists will be named the New 7 Wonders of the Natural World.

Show your support for the Belogradchik Rocks by voting at the New 7 Wonders website at:
http://www.new7wonders.com.

For information about the Belogradchik Rocks in English visit the website:
http://www.resortsguidebg.com/bulgaria/the-belogradchik-rocks-belogradchishki-skali

How to Travel to Belogradchik?

The city of Bourgas came into existence almost 2000 years ago. At first it served as a trade and military settlement of the town of Apollonia (Sozopol).

Most of the residents were military veterans. The town had various military and fishermen towers, which led to its name being “Pyrgos,” meaning ‘tower.’ Slight changes lead to the nowadays name of the city.

Bourgas, the current name, is connected to the writings of Ottoman historians, who mention it for the first time in 17th century.

Until the end of the 19th century Bourgas remained small and lacked any major role. The first school and church of the settlement were built in 1868. After the end of the Ottoman rule, Bourgas developed into a modern, European city. A conflagration in XIX century destroyed almost the entire city, which had to be rebuilt afterwards. This event contributed to the modern look of the city.

The port of Bourgas was built in 1903 and its trade high school appeared in 1905. The high school prepared young experts to deal with the expanding trade relations with foreign cities. The state mechanical and technical school opened doors in 1925. The high institute of chemistry and technology appeared in 1963.

Today the port of Bourgas is the largest cargo port on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The airport in the city is one of the busiest in Bulgaria, especially during the summer tourism season.

Contemporary Bourgas features as the largest southeast Bulgarian city and the fourth largest in the country. In terms of trade, it plays a key role. Bourgas is also strategic energy centre because of the presence of Neftochim Bourgas, the largest refinery in the country.

During the summer hundreds of tourists visit the city. Various foreigners are among them. Bourgas offers excellent vacation conditions. It combines beautiful nature and beaches with the commodities available in a bigger city.

Restaurants, caf?s and hotels offer various types of services for the different tourist groups. The marine garden is a quite place giving visitors the chance to take a quite walk and get acquainted with the work of artists and musicians.

Bourgas hosts cultural events, apart from being a tourist center. Its international folklore festival already has 35 years of history and attracts the lovers of Balkan folk music. The national flowers exhibition brings together people enchanted by colors and aroma. Bourgas and the Sea, a national music competition has become important event for Bulgarian musicians.

The romantic proximity to the seashore probably affected Bourgas and made it the birthplace of many famous poets, painters and musicians. All of them contributed significantly to the development of Bulgarian art and culture.

Bourgas Lake, also called Vaia, is one of the three lakes that surround the coastal city of Bourgas as a ring.

The lake is an open coastal firth, situated west of Bourgas. It is the biggest natural lake in Bulgaria. The surface area is 28 sq km and the length and width reach respectively 9.6 and 4.5 km. Vaia is quite shallow and its depth is 1.3 m. Because of that shallowness, the lake is sometimes called a swamp. A channel connects Vaia to the Black Sea. The saltiness of the lake’s water varies from four to 11 percent.

Aitoska, Sunder Dere and Choukarska rivers provide the lake with water. During the summer, sea water enters it. Clay deposits cover its bottom.
Several small swamps are situated north of the lake. Breeding pools were constructed in the northwestern part. The eastern part of the lake neighbors industrial and residential Bourgas areas.

Vaia’s shores feature numerous plants among which reed and rush. Marshlands and agriculture territories surround the water.

One of the biggest bird migration routes, Via Pontica, passes over Vaia. In 2003, the lake was named an area of international importance.

Parts of the lake were named a protected area, aiming to preserve a large number of bird species nesting there.

More than 20 types of fish and 254 types of birds can be observed in the region. Apart from nesting birds, tourists can observe some species that rest there during their migration period. As a result, Vaia was named an ornithological spot of European importance.

In 2001, the channel connecting the lake to the sea was cleaned, allowing sea fish to enter Vaia. This provided suitable fishing conditions. Yet, the fish that is most often caught there is carp.

Over the past few years, students gather in the region during August and work on the creation of pelican nesting platforms. They have also set up shelters for bird watching.

Vaia features other opportunities for nature preservation or pleasant leisure time. Tourists can benefit from boat walks, allowing them to observe and photograph bird species. Observing all the pelicans and herons is truly one unforgettable experience. Opportunities for eco tourism in the region are constantly created.

The proximity to Bourgas provides additional spots for rest, accommodation and entertainment.

Hidden between the capes of St. Anastasia and Atia lies St. Anastasia island. The biggest island on Bulgarian territory is situated only 6.5 km away from the coastal city of Bourgas. Its area is 8.5 decares and the height is 12 m. St. Anastasia appeared as a result of a volcanic eruption.

The island has intriguing history. Numerous legends have been told about it.

Objects from the 5th and 4th centuries AD found there show that human activity on the island started long time ago.

A monastery functions there, as well. According to historians, the monastery was set up as far back in time as 1553.

Apart from travelers, St. Anastasia attracted pirates. Legends of hidden treasures still tickle the curiosity of visitors today.

In 1924, the island was turned into a prison and the thick monastery walls started hosting a detention center for political prisoners. In 1944, the prison was closed down and the building became a museum. St. Anastasia changed its name to Bolshevik island and some elderly Bourgas residents still call it that way. When democratic changes took place in 1990, the island gained back its old name.

Today, the monastery functions as a hotel. The only ‘luxuries’ to be enjoyed include electricity and running water.

The old lighthouse of St. Anastasia appeared in 1889. The lighthouse was installed on a metal pillar, rising 40 m above the water level. During fair weather, its light could be seen from a distance of 10 miles. In 1912, the construction of a new lighthouse began in the northern part of the island. It still functions.

Since 2001, St. Anastasia has been recognized as a nature and archaeological preserve. If its landmarks are preserved and developed, the island has the potential to turn into one unusual tourist destination.

If you want to visit St. Anastasia, you need to find a boat or ship owner willing to take you there. Such trips are organized in Bourgas, Nessebar, Pomorie and Sozopol.