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Bulgarka Nature Park
Bulgarka Nature Park
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
	Bulgarka Nature Park
Location	Gabrovo Province, Stara Zagora Province, Bulgaria
Nearest city	Gabrovo
Coordinates	42°49′N 25°20′E / 42.82°N 25.34°E
Area	22,000 hectares
Established	August 9, 2002
Governing body	Bulgarka Natural Park

The Bulgarka Natural Park (Bulgarian: Природен парк ″Българка″) is a Bulgarian nature park 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.^[1]

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 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 home to many historic sites.^[2]

The area's historical and biological significance lead to the establishment of the Bulgarka Natural Park on August 9, 2002.^[1]

Fauna

In terms of zoology, the park is in the Balkan region of European fauna.^[2]

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 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, starling, nightingale, oriole, great tit and others.^[2]

Reptiles native to the park lands include three species of snakes as well as lizards and others. Amphibians include several frogs, salamander; invertebrates include snails, tritons and many kinds of insects. Fish include trout, black fish, and others.^[2]

Flora

Forest fruits (Daphne mezereum) in Bulgarka Nature Park

Forests cover about 80.2% of the park area, or 17,461 hectares. Varieties of beech constitute the largest portion of the forest, at 65%. Other 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. In Bulgarka Park, designated areas are established to promote greater habitat conservation.^[2]^[3]

Nearly 70% of the officially recognized medicinal plants in Bulgaria may be found in Bulgarka Park.^[2]

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 is yet to come.^[3]

Cultural heritage

Sites of cultural heritage inside Bulgarka Park include the Shipka Pass, 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.^[4]^[5]^[1]

The park is 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 has 15 hotels, which provide recreational opportunities year-round.^[6]

Gallery

Bulgarka Nature Park - view from peak Bulgarka
Forest in Bulgarka Nature Park
The "Shouting rock" in Bulgarka Nature Park
Forest spring in Bulgarka Nature Park
Mushroom in Bulgarka Nature Park
Forest flower in Bulgarka Nature Park
Forest fruits (Daphne mezereum) in Bulgarka Nature Park
Centuries-old tree (beech-tree (Fagus)) in Bulgarka Nature Park
The roots of the centuries-old beech tree in Bulgarka Nature Park
Ruscus hypoglossum L., plant under conservation and regulated use of nature in a forest near Gabrovo.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Odyssei Travel Community on Bulgarka Nature Park". Odyssei Travel. 2008-04-23. Archived from the original on 2009-03-29. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Discover Bulgaria on Bulgarka Nature Park". Discover Bulgaria. 2008-04-23. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
^ ^a ^b "Парковете в България". Парковете в България. 2008-04-23. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
^ "Gabi Tours Sites of Bulgaria". Gabi Tours. 2008-04-23. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
^ "Welcome to Bulgaria". Welcome to Bulgaria. 2008-04-23. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
^ "Bulgaria Ski". Bulgaria Ski. 2008-04-23. Retrieved 16 August 2010.