And the Next Major Destination is… Strandzha Mountain in Bulgaria and Turkey
Balkan Travellers
Situated in Bulgaria’s south-east and continuing deep in the European part of Turkey, Stradzha is considered by ecologists to be one of the most precious European nature reserves. In Bulgaria, the protected zone spreads over 1,161 square kilometres and reaches the Black Sea coast at Ahtopol and Sinemorets.
Its flora, ecologists say, is a fascinating mixture of European, Black Sea and Caucasian species, varying between coastal forests and vegetation, typical for swamps and sand dunes, to evergreen plants and higher mountains vegetation, to Mediterranean plants, mingling with deciduous trees. At least three species of the plants found there are thought to be endemic to Bulgaria, and seven – to the Balkans.
Apart from the natural resources of the park, it boasts vast areas of unexplored historical heritage from ancient and medieval times. A temple of Apollo stands in the border zone with Turkey, a large zone of Thracian and Roman tombs lays near Mishkova niva and wild forests cover a number of Byzantine and medieval Bulgarian ruins.
The preserved contemporary culture also adds to the attraction. The mystic nestinari ritual, involving people who walk on burning coals, is still alive in the area.
Strandzha Mountain is even more interesting and unexplored on the Turkish side, where most of its territory is situated. Routes, touring both sides of the border are still not offered, but make a brilliant option for adventurers, willing to organise their trips individually.
Read more about Bulgaria and Turkey on BalkanTravellers.com
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Photogalleries
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A Perfect Shot
Koprivshtitsa Fair, Bulgara. Photographs by Neva Micheva
In Homo Urbanus Europeanus, exhibited May 9-24 in front of the National Theatre in Sofia, Jean-Marc Caracci presents his photographs of people in the urban environment of European capitals.
RED&WHITE SOFIA. On the 1st of March Bulgarians say goodbye to the winter. They buy each other red&white threads to carry around until they see a stork and spring can begin. Photography by Lode Desmet
BULGARIA D'OR: The Bulgarian countryside, patinated with the noble golden dust of the autumn. Photographs by Lode Desmet
360 degrees Bulgaria, an exhibition by photographer Alexandar Ivanov, is on display at the Sea Garden in Varna until August 28. It will be shown at Plovdiv’s Central Square from Sept 5.
The exhibition Photographs of a Trip Through Bulgaria by Hungarian photographer András Balla can be seen in Sofia's Hungarian Cultural Institute, at Aksakov 16 Street, until August 22
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Photographs by Albena Shkodrova
excellent smugs
