Bulgarka Nature Park
Encyclopedia
The Bulgarka Natural Park (Bulgarian
, Парк Българка) is a Bulgarian
nature park located on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains
(Stara Planina), occupying 22,000 hectares of territory in the central and Eastern part of the mountains between the cities of Gabrovo
and Kazanluk.
Located between the steep topography of the Central Balkan and the significantly lower and sloping Eastern part of Stara Planina, the region is characterized by significant diversity in terrain. This also supports a rich diversity in flora and fauna. Further, due to the area's position in a section of the Balkans that served as a crossroads for the region for centuries, the park is also home to many historical sites.
The area’s historical and biological significance lead to the establishment of the Bulgarka Natural Park on August 9, 2002.
Many wild animals, such as the Eurasian wolf
, fox, the golden jackal
, Eurasian brown bear
, wild boar, red deer
, roe deer, hare, eastern hedgehog, squirrel, badger, mink and others inhabit the forested lands of the Bulgarka Park. Birds in the park include the golden eagle
, the common kestrel
, rock dove, great spotted woodpecker, black woodpecker, green woodpecker, cuckoo, common buzzard
, owl, white wagtail, turtledove, jay, magpie, raven, hooded crow, blackbird, thrush, starling, lark, finch, nightingale, domestic sparrow, oriole, great tit and others.
Reptiles native to the park lands include three species of snakes as well as lizards and others. Amphibians include several frogs, salamander and invertebrates include snails, tritons and many kinds of insects. Fish in the waterways include trout, black fish, and others.
constitute the largest portion of the forest, at 65%. Other verities of deciduous trees include oaks, water locust, birch hornbeam, linden, elm, acacia, aspen, maple, ash, wild cherry, holly, rowan, birch and others. Coniferous trees found in the park include white and black pine, spruce, fir, white fir and others. Gymnosperm
plants covers about 0.6 ha.
This botanical uniqueness, which occurs only in this part of Bulgaria and has includes special combinations of beech, yew, and laurel, makes the park a significant conservation habitat. Within Bulgarka Park designated areas are established to promote greater habitat conservation.
Nearly 70% of the officially recognized medicinal plants in Bulgaria may be found within the Bulgarka Park.
At least 360 plant species including, 31 species listed as threatened or endangered, may be found in the park. This includes; yew, wild ticket silivryak gesneriaceae
, mountain maple, Bulgarian types of orchids, medicinal tweeter, mountain onion cytisus
, mountain vetch astragalus
, among other. However, as one of the youngest nature parks in Bulgaria, a full classification of all the types of flora and fauna available is yet to come.
, the location of the Battle of Shipka Pass
which was pivotal in gaining Bulgarian independence from the Ottoman Empire
. The Shipka Memorial commemorates the battle. Also in the park are the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex
, the Sokolski Monastery
and Dryanovo Monastery
.
The park is also home to the Uzana
area, a large mountain meadow high in the Balkans which is a popular winter resort. Uzana has been home to winter sports since the 1930s and is home to 15 hotels, which provide recreational opportunities year-round.
Bulgarian language
Bulgarian is an Indo-European language, a member of the Slavic linguistic group.Bulgarian, along with the closely related Macedonian language, demonstrates several linguistic characteristics that set it apart from all other Slavic languages such as the elimination of case declension, the...
, Парк Българка) is a Bulgarian
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
nature park located on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains
Balkan Mountains
The Balkan mountain range is a mountain range in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The Balkan range runs 560 km from the Vrashka Chuka Peak on the border between Bulgaria and eastern Serbia eastward through central Bulgaria to Cape Emine on the Black Sea...
(Stara Planina), occupying 22,000 hectares of territory in the central and Eastern part of the mountains between the cities of Gabrovo
Gabrovo
Gabrovo is a city in central northern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Gabrovo Province. It is situated at the foot of the central Balkan Mountains, in the valley of the Yantra River, and is known as an international capital of humour and satire , as well as noted for its Bulgarian National...
and Kazanluk.
Located between the steep topography of the Central Balkan and the significantly lower and sloping Eastern part of Stara Planina, the region is characterized by significant diversity in terrain. This also supports a rich diversity in flora and fauna. Further, due to the area's position in a section of the Balkans that served as a crossroads for the region for centuries, the park is also home to many historical sites.
The area’s historical and biological significance lead to the establishment of the Bulgarka Natural Park on August 9, 2002.
Fauna
In terms of zoology, the park is located the Balkan region of European fauna.Many wild animals, such as the Eurasian wolf
Eurasian Wolf
The Eurasian Wolf , also known as the, European, Common or Forest Wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf which has the largest range among wolf subspecies and is the most common in Europe and Asia, ranging through Mongolia, China, Russia, Scandinavia, Western Europe and the Himalayan Mountains...
, fox, the golden jackal
Golden Jackal
The golden jackal , also known as the common jackal, Asiatic jackal, thos or gold-wolf is a Canid of the genus Canis indigenous to north and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe , Asia Minor, the Middle East and southeast Asia...
, Eurasian brown bear
Eurasian Brown Bear
The Eurasian brown bear is a subspecies of brown bear, found across northern Eurasia. The Eurasian brown bear is also known as the common brown bear, European brown bear and colloquially by many other names....
, wild boar, red deer
Red Deer
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. Depending on taxonomy, the red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being...
, roe deer, hare, eastern hedgehog, squirrel, badger, mink and others inhabit the forested lands of the Bulgarka Park. Birds in the park include the golden eagle
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
, the common kestrel
Common Kestrel
The Common Kestrel is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel. In Britain, where no other brown falcon occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".This species...
, rock dove, great spotted woodpecker, black woodpecker, green woodpecker, cuckoo, common buzzard
Common Buzzard
The Common Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.-Description:...
, owl, white wagtail, turtledove, jay, magpie, raven, hooded crow, blackbird, thrush, starling, lark, finch, nightingale, domestic sparrow, oriole, great tit and others.
Reptiles native to the park lands include three species of snakes as well as lizards and others. Amphibians include several frogs, salamander and invertebrates include snails, tritons and many kinds of insects. Fish in the waterways include trout, black fish, and others.
Flora
Forests cover about 80.2% of the park area, or 17,461 hectares. Various types of beechBeech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
constitute the largest portion of the forest, at 65%. Other verities of deciduous trees include oaks, water locust, birch hornbeam, linden, elm, acacia, aspen, maple, ash, wild cherry, holly, rowan, birch and others. Coniferous trees found in the park include white and black pine, spruce, fir, white fir and others. Gymnosperm
Gymnosperm
The gymnosperms are a group of seed-bearing plants that includes conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and Gnetales. The term "gymnosperm" comes from the Greek word gymnospermos , meaning "naked seeds", after the unenclosed condition of their seeds...
plants covers about 0.6 ha.
This botanical uniqueness, which occurs only in this part of Bulgaria and has includes special combinations of beech, yew, and laurel, makes the park a significant conservation habitat. Within Bulgarka Park designated areas are established to promote greater habitat conservation.
Nearly 70% of the officially recognized medicinal plants in Bulgaria may be found within the Bulgarka Park.
At least 360 plant species including, 31 species listed as threatened or endangered, may be found in the park. This includes; yew, wild ticket silivryak gesneriaceae
Gesneriaceae
Gesneriaceae is a family of flowering plants consisting of ca. 150 genera and ca. 3,200 species in the Old World and New World tropics and subtropics, with a very small number extending to temperate areas. Many species have colorful and showy flowers and are cultivated as ornamental plants.Most...
, mountain maple, Bulgarian types of orchids, medicinal tweeter, mountain onion cytisus
Cytisus
Cytisus is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae.-Selected species:* Cytisus arboreus DC.* Cytisus ardoini E.Fourn.* Cytisus baeticus Steud....
, mountain vetch astragalus
Astragalus
Astragalus is a large genus of about 3,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
, among other. However, as one of the youngest nature parks in Bulgaria, a full classification of all the types of flora and fauna available is yet to come.
Bulgarian Cultural Heritage
Sites of cultural heritage inside Bulgarka Park include the Shipka PassShipka Pass
Shipka Pass is a scenic mountain pass through the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria. It marks the border between Stara Zagora province and Gabrovo province. The pass connects Gabrovo and Kazanlak. The pass is part of the Bulgarka Nature Park.The pass is 13 km by road north of the small town of...
, the location of the Battle of Shipka Pass
Battle of Shipka Pass
Four battles were fought between the Russian Empire, aided by Bulgarian volunteers known as Opalchentsi, and the Ottoman Empire for control over the vital Shipka Pass during the Russo-Turkish War...
which was pivotal in gaining Bulgarian independence from the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. The Shipka Memorial commemorates the battle. Also in the park are the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex
Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex
The Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex is an open-air museum and a neighbourhood of Gabrovo in northern Bulgaria. It is located on the northern edge of the Bulgarka Nature Park, between the park and the city of Gabrovo....
, the Sokolski Monastery
Sokolski Monastery
The Sokolski Monastery is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery founded in 1833 and named after its founder Yosif Sokolski. It is located 15 km southwest of Gabrovo on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains in the Bulgarka Nature Park and is close to the Sokolovo cave.Originally, a small wooden...
and Dryanovo Monastery
Dryanovo Monastery
The Dryanovo Monastery is a functioning Bulgarian Orthodox monastery situated in the Andaka River Valley, in Bulgarka Nature Park in the central part of Bulgaria five kilometers away from the town of Dryanovo. It was founded in the 12th century, during the Second Bulgarian Empire, and is dedicated...
.
The park is also home to the Uzana
Uzana
This article is about the ski resort. For the Burmese monarchs, please see Uzana .The winter resort Uzana in Bulgaria is located at the foot of Ispolin peak near the Bulgarka Nature Park and the Central Balkan National Park in the Starina Planina. It consists of large meadows surrounded by...
area, a large mountain meadow high in the Balkans which is a popular winter resort. Uzana has been home to winter sports since the 1930s and is home to 15 hotels, which provide recreational opportunities year-round.
See also
- Dryanovo MonasteryDryanovo MonasteryThe Dryanovo Monastery is a functioning Bulgarian Orthodox monastery situated in the Andaka River Valley, in Bulgarka Nature Park in the central part of Bulgaria five kilometers away from the town of Dryanovo. It was founded in the 12th century, during the Second Bulgarian Empire, and is dedicated...
- Etar Architectural-Ethnographic ComplexEtar Architectural-Ethnographic ComplexThe Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex is an open-air museum and a neighbourhood of Gabrovo in northern Bulgaria. It is located on the northern edge of the Bulgarka Nature Park, between the park and the city of Gabrovo....
- GabrovoGabrovoGabrovo is a city in central northern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Gabrovo Province. It is situated at the foot of the central Balkan Mountains, in the valley of the Yantra River, and is known as an international capital of humour and satire , as well as noted for its Bulgarian National...
City - Gabrovo ProvinceGabrovo ProvinceGabrovo Province , former name Gabrovo okrug) is a small province lying at the geographical centre of Bulgaria. It is named after its main town - Gabrovo. In 2009 the total population of the area is 130,001.-Municipalities:...
- Sokolski MonasterySokolski MonasteryThe Sokolski Monastery is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery founded in 1833 and named after its founder Yosif Sokolski. It is located 15 km southwest of Gabrovo on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains in the Bulgarka Nature Park and is close to the Sokolovo cave.Originally, a small wooden...
- TryavnaTryavnaTryavna is a town in central Bulgaria, situated in the north slopes of the Balkan range, on the Tryavna river valley, near Gabrovo. It is famous for its textile industry and typical National Revival architecture, featuring 140 cultural monuments, museums and expositions...
- UzanaUzanaThis article is about the ski resort. For the Burmese monarchs, please see Uzana .The winter resort Uzana in Bulgaria is located at the foot of Ispolin peak near the Bulgarka Nature Park and the Central Balkan National Park in the Starina Planina. It consists of large meadows surrounded by...
External links
- Nature Park Bulgarka at WikiTravel
- Парк Българка Park Site in Bulgarian
- Bulgarka Park Park Site in English
- Odessy Travel Site
- Discover Bulgaria
- Uzana entry at Bulgaria Ski