Strandzha today – rare plants and wild nature

The Ice Age covered vast parts of Europe, including Bulgaria. But Strandzha seems to have escaped it. The mountain still hosts dozens of archaic plant species – remnants of a lost world. Walking through Strandzha’s oak and fir forests, you can find plants that grow nowhere else on Earth. Visiting Strandzha gives a sense of what Europe looked like before the last Ice Age.

Strandzha draws adventurers. Here, you escape standard vacations and the chaos of modern life. Wild, beautiful, mystical – Strandzha waits for everyone who seeks something different.

Discover the most mystical corners of Strandzha. Wander through its forests, hidden paths, and ancient ruins. Subtitles available in English.

Stranzha mountain is full of mysticism

What we know best is the Black Sea coastline of this mountain. Settlements like Sinemorets, Varvara, Tsarevo and Lozenets welcome throngs of tourists in summer. However, few decide to take to the inner parts of the mountain. Those that do may come across surprising finds, such as megaliths, enshrouded by times gone by, or mysterious sanctuaries. Some of them now serve as tourist attractions. Most, however, still wait for travelers to discover them, crossing dense forests and vast sun-scorched meadows.

A steep path rambles across the mountain, past the remains of the Rusokastro Roman fortress.  It takes us straight to the Ruskina Dupka cave.  Back in the 5th century BC it have been a Thracian sanctuary. Locals talk of the miraculous properties of the spring inside.

The recently overhauled  Sveti Georgi Pobedonosets (St. George the Victor) church rises nearby.  And there one can take time to light a candle and pray. In Strandja, it is so easy to forget civilization and find yourself in another dimension. Unsolved mysteries from the past await visitors all over this mountain.

Beglik Tash sanctuary

The megalithic Thracian sanctuary of Beglik Tash is a good spot for meditation at sunrise, a place to get in touch with the past. And it is only 5 – 10 km away from the seaside hotels area. The gigantic construction of stone blocks is the work of ancient masters, who have cut circles, vats, stairs into the rock with astounding precision…

Someone has somehow managed to move and arrange these rocks, weighing dozens of tons, into strange configurations. The throne of the head priest is located in front of the entrance to the sanctuary and there most tourists hurry to take photos. Experts say that the temple was used in the course of 2,000 years but its activities were most likely put an end to in the 5th century with the spreading of Christianity across these lands.

Cult complex Mishkova niva

There is one more fantastic megalithic structure in Strandzha’s wilderness that is accessible only by an off road vehicle, or on foot and not without help from an experienced guide. Hundreds of tourists visit the locality called Mishkova Niva each year, even though it is so remote. There is an impressive cult complex there – the tomb of a high-ranking priest, later used as a sanctuary of Phoebus, or god Apollo. It is thought to have been the mausoleum of a notable Thracian ruler in the period 5th – 3rd century BC.

According to researchers, the complex was used from the middle of the 2nd millennium BC until late Antiquity. However, what attracts mystery fans most are the archaeological excavations at the foot of Gradishte peak. Rumors and legends have it that this could be the mysterious tomb of the Egyptian goddess Bastet, who cast her spell and even sent death to some of the members of the 1981 archaeological expedition that had dared disturb her peace…

Along Veleka and Ropotamo Rivers

But Strandzha is more than mysticism and history. It takes your breath away with the fragrance of wild herbs, the twitter of birds and its century-old forests, where small and big rivers flow.

Veleka and Ropotamo are the rivers that attract tourists most – sailing along them one can see turtles, dragonflies and numerous riverside creatures, as well as liana-like vegetation, so untypical of our latitudes. In autumn it is a good idea to visit the Poda environmental centre near Burgas, where more than 250 bird species stop by to take a rest and to pose for the tourists’ cameras.

Welcome to Poda center near Burgas

“Over 300,000 migrating storks pass through each season – nearly the entire European population of white storks!” explains Yana Gocheva from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds. “We also have many pelicans and birds of prey. In April and again in autumn, the sky here turns black with birds. This lake complex near Burgas acts as an oasis along their migration route, which is why authorities protect it as part of the Natura 2000 European network.”

Besides for birds and animals, Strandzha and its ancient sanctuaries and shady forests is also a heaven for everyone in search of peace and harmony. The mountain invites you to discover more of its wild beauty, enshrouded in secrets and mysticism…

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Travelers can distinguish figures of humans, towers, rock needles and even pyramids there. The region is an irresistible enticement for the seekers of strong emotions. Those tourists do not feel tired to climb the astonishing sharp cliffs, hang over the bottomless abysses and go deep in some unexplored caves.

The village of Lakatnik is situated not far from the capital Sofia. We recommend travelers to take a train form the Central Railway Station in Sofia which will take them to this place in 1.5 hours. The train moves slowly and stops at every small village or town. However, this provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy completely the beauty of the Iskar Gorge. Once you arrive at Lakatnik railway station, you will see in front of yourself a wonderful view of the local rock formations. The Lakatnik rocks are very well-shaped. Over 100 caves and abysses formed in the limestone layers there.

Welcome in the Dark Hole cave !

It is the third longest cave in Bulgaria which has been an object of long explorations which continue even at present. It is situated at about 27 meters above the Iskar river bed. Special staircase leads to this phenomenal cave. In fact, this is the only Bulgarian cave visible from the railway line. Sometimes the travelers become witnesses of incredible scene-the foamy waters start to flow from its entrance after periods of heavy rainfalls and the snow melting. There is no electricity in the cave, so everyone who intends to go there should wear a torch. In fact, the name Dark Hole stems from the fact that there is no light there.

The walk inside the cave could last for nearly half an hour as the inside ground is quite muddy. An underground river which drains away through the nearby Zhitiliub karst spring also crosses the cave. Those who do not like to explore caves or do not have the proper equipment to go deep in its dark galleries can sit near the bubbling spring and relax with the joyful sounds of the water there, or even drink a pint of beer in the nearby pub. Other interesting caves in this region are Kozarska, Zidanka, Razhishka, Svinska, etc. In fact, the caves in this Bulgarian region are still virgin and only well-equipped people can explore them at present.

Enjoy the amazing landscape

The Lakatnik rocks are a center of attraction for climbers addicted to high adrenaline. No wonder these rocks made of red sand and limestone are the cradle of the Bulgarian alpinism! The rocky formations were conquered for the first time by three brave Bulgarians back in the remote 1931. Three years later volunteers started to use climbing hooks at the inaccessible pinnacles hanging over Iskar River.

In fact a small hut, built underneath one of the local peaks, reminds of the alpine past and present of Lakatnik. This is the Eagle’s Nest Shelter built in 1938 and renovated by a group of enthusiasts in the beginning of 2000. You can only reach it by rope. Some fans of strong emotions even sleep there. Those who search higher security would better lay their tents on a meadow in the foot of the rock giants or use the multiple cave niches for shelter.

There are over 350 routes of various degree of difficulty in this locality

Those who manage to climb the high cliffs can enjoy the magnificent view of the Iskar Gorge. The rough and deep river resembles a twisted line from this altitude. The railway lines swing like snakes and the train engines often whistle there. One should always bring water when visiting the region. The reason is there are barely any springs where people can get drinking water. However, there are many wonderful meadows where people can put a blanket and do nothing all day. In the meantime enjoy the magnificent rock formations which soar up in the skies.

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