Bulgarian natural park Sinite Kamani near city of Sliven

In the Balkans, above the town of Sliven, over an area of 7094.1 hectares is situated the marvelous Nature Park Sinite kamani (Blue Stones) – bluish-grey to violet rock cliffs mounting to more than 1000 meters above the sea level – the peaks Big and Small Chitalka, Kutelka, Bulgarka (the highest peak in the East Balkans – 1181 m) covered with beech forests, the lake in Karandila, the rock phenomena Kuminite (Chimneys), Kuklite (Dolls), Rakavichkata (Glove) – marvels which only the nature can create.

The Nature Park Sinite Kamani is famous for its nature landmarks. “Halkata” (the Ring) – the arc-shaped stone garland, possessing, according to the legends, magic force – is one of the symbols of the town of Sliven. The forms that the nature has sculptured in the cave Zmeevi dupki (Dragon’s holes) – Zmejat (the Dragon), Orelat (the Eagle) and Vladishkija tron (the Bishop’s throne) are amazing. The ancient beech forest in the vicinity of the Kushbunar spring in the region of Karandila is quite picturesque.

The specific climate and lay conditions of the nature park determine the great diversity of flora and fauna. The plant species are more than 1000, about 900 of which are representative of high species. 27 of the high species are registered in the Red Book of Bulgaria, the endemic species are 48 and the tertiary relict species are 2. The invertebrate animals are represented by 235 species – eight species of fish, nine species of amphibians, nineteen species of reptiles, 165 species of birds and 34 species of mammals. The lay is of typical mountain type – steep and ravine slopes and at sea level between 290 and 1181 meters above the sea level. The north and northwest winds, the wind called “bora”, famous also as “the wind of the town of Sliven” and the night breeze are typical for the region. Through the park flow many rivers and their beds form numerous shoots, pools and waterfalls.