Silistar Protected Area

Silistar Protected Area

Silistar is the southernmost protected area on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It is located between the villages of Sinemorets and Rezovo. It stretches to the south of the mouth of the small river Potamyata, which flows into the sea at the beach southern beach of Sinemorets - Botamyata and reaches almost to the village of Rezovo.

Protected Area Mouth of Veleka River

Protected Area Mouth of Veleka River

It is located within natural park Strandja very close to Sinemorets One of the most picturesque and beautiful places on the south Black Sea coast. It encompasses an area of 1511.2 ha around the mouth of Veleka River and the lower part of its catchment basin. It protects the valley of Veleka River, the nearly 500 m long sand split between the river mouth and the Black Sea coast. The split is several dozens of meters wide, which changes according to season and weather conditions. Often during winter and spring it is covered in flood waters from Veleka River. Interesting communities of rare plant species such as cottonweed, woundwort, sea carrot, coastal umbrell, etc. can be found here. On the river you can see the endangered species yellow water-rose (Burduche).

Reserve Velyov Vir (Water lilies)

Reserve Velyov Vir (Water lilies)

It is located in close proximity to Ropotamo reserve and is a part of Ropotamo natural complex.

The reserve is better known with its old name – The Water Lilies. It was declared a reserve in 1962 to protect the large natural community of white water lilies, yellow water lilies, spring snowflakes and the typical for the area dense forest of ash trees. The area of the supported reserve is 13.6 hectares and it includes a part of the old riverbed of Ropotamo River. The road to Velyov Vir marsh passes under a shady tunnel of trees and climbing plants. You can go into the marsh along a purpose built wooden bridge. The trail is a deviation off the main road Burgas - Primorsko, just after the bridge over Ropotamo River.

Ropotamo reserve

Ropotamo reserve

Ropotamo Reserve is located about 50 km south of Bourgas, on the border between the two municipalities – Sozopol and Primorsko. The main road E87 divides the reserve into two parts.
Located on an area of just over 1000.7 ha the reserve is a rare combination of beautiful scenery, spectacular landforms, a wide variety of coastal, forest and aquatic habitats of many rare and endangered plant and animal species and communities. On this small area there is a combination of the sea, a river, a marsh, deciduous and dense forest vegetation, various types of rock formations, beautiful beaches, as well as sand dunes, and all these natural resources are combined with many historical and archaeological findings.

Alepu marsh and sand dunes

Alepu marsh and sand dunes

They are located on Black Sea coast, 7 km south of Sozopol, near the old road to Primorsko, immediately after Holiday Village Dunes (1 km).

The place is popular with the name “drivers’ beach”, because of the proximity of the asphalt road to the beach. Alepu marsh is located at the foot of the Bakarlaka hills and Kukuv Bair to the north and Andrea Bair to the south, opposite the bay enclosed by Agalina cape to the north and Humata cape to the south.

Arkutino swamp

Arkutino swamp

Arkutino swamp is part of Ropotamo Reserve, which, mostly is covered with dense aquatic and marsh vegetation. There you can see different species of duckweed, summer snowflake, cock’s-foot and pondweed. Here it is one of the richest deposits of white and yellow water-lily. The coastal areas are covered by reeds. Arkutino swamp is the main stopover of birds’ migratory route Via Pontica and many rare species of birds nest here.

Thracian sanctuary Beglik Tash

Thracian sanctuary Beglik Tash

The Megalith Thracian sanctuary Beglik Tash is located 5 kilometers north of Primorsko. According to the findings so far, it is considered that the monument was built in the XIV century BC. From Primorsko it can be reached either by car, or by bicycle. On foot the route takes about an hour and a half. There are several trails through the woods leading to the sanctuary. The shadow of the broad-leaved forest and the high probability of meeting a deer or a doe on the way, make the choice of the pedestrian version much more pleasant and interesting. To get directions by car is easy – there are signs at all intersections along the way.

Rock phenomenon Lavskata Glava (Lion’s Head)

Rock phenomenon Lavskata Glava (Lion’s Head)

The rock phenomenon Lavskata Glava (Lion's Head) is of volcanic origin and was formed in Syenite of the palaeovolcano Rosenski 65-70 million years ago.

It is assumed that on the hill, where the Lion's Head is, was located the ancient town of Ranuli. The remains of the castle wall surround an area of about 30,000 square kilometers, making the town one of the largest fortified in this region. It is believed that first it was built by the Thracians and later rebuilt by the Romans, Byzantines and Bulgarians.

Sguriite site

In the vicinity of Resovo there are significant traces of mining activity. At 5 km west of the village, in Sguriite site, is recorded the largest deposit of copper slag in Bulgaria (over 100,000 tons). In the same site Byzantine coins are also found. Interestingly, in the area there aren’t any such large mines found to comply with the accumulated a huge amount of slag. It is assumed that the smelted ore was conveyed here from other distant places. Mining places are discovered also in Selski dol site, at about 3-4 km west of Rezovo, in Kabite site, 6 km west of the village, and in Staro Rezovo site, 5 km to the west. In Djebkovtsi site, 7 km to the west an old mine is found.

Natural landmark caves and springs near Mladejka river

Natural landmark caves and springs near Mladejka river

This is one of the most picturesque areas of Strandja, located nearIt is located near one of the smallest villages in Strandja – Mladezhko, which is 7 km west of the main road Bourgas – Malko Turnovo, 50 km from Burgas and 32 km from the town of Malko Turnovo. The natural landmark is also located on the land of the village of Bliznak.

It has an area of 24.35 hectares and comprises a very rugged karst area with several caves and karst springs in Kaleto area.