NORTHERN BULGARIA
Top places to visit:
Belogradchik Rocks
Are formed from red stone and conglomerate – one of the natural wonders of Bulgaria. A fairy-tale stone world surrounds Belogradchik from west, south and southeast. The central group rises immediately above the town. One can see about 100m high lonely rocks named Adam and Eve. The French traveler Germon Blanky wrote the following about The Belogradchik Rocks in 1841: “Neither the famous passes of Ailihul in Provence, neither the Pancarbo Gorge in Spain, neither the Alps, neither the Pyrenees, nor the most eminent tyrol mountains in Switzerland have anything, which can be compared with what I saw in Bulgaria in the town Belogradchik. ”
The Magoura Cave
was formed about 3 – 4 million years ago in the Magoura Hill, 463 m high. Inside one can see unique halls and formations as Triumphalnata Zala /The hall of Triumphs/, Harmana, etc. The exit of the cave is through Vratach on the bank of Rabisha lake. Primitive men lived there. The wall drawings made by bat excrements are the only ones in the caves at the Balkan Peninsula. These masterpieces of late prehistoric art date back from the beginning of the Bronze Age. Magourata is electrified, the length of its galleries are 2500m. They have been nominated by UNESCO for one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Vidin
The town of Vidin is situated on the bank of the Danube, is the most northwest corner of Bulgaria. The past of this town dated 23 centuries ago. As early as 3rd century BC the Celts build a settlement here. The Romans put into final shape the fortress with the purpose to guard the border road along the the Danube. The town reached the greatest flourishing at the end of 14th century, when it became a capital of Bdin Kingdom of Ivan Strashimir (1360). The rise of the town ceased in 1296 when the Turks invaded it. Since then Bulgaria started counting the 482 years of Ottoman domination.
Baba Vida Fortress Museum
is named after an old legend – it is the biggest historical sight of Vidin and the best preserved medieval Bulgarian fortress in the country. It has been built in different historical periods from 3rd century to the 19th. A museum exhibition is arranged in the fortress. There is a theatrical scene and dramatic performances with historical plots are played among the unique scenery.