Slavianka Mountain
Author: -Title: "The unique natural beauty of the southern mountain"
Source: InfoTourism
Date: 10.05.2006
Do You know a natural open air botanic garden, with over 1000 flowers and over 200 species of colourful butterflies? This divine nook - the small area of Slavianka is raising solitary in the south- western part of Bulgaria, on the Greek border. In the past it was also known as Kitka mountain, because of the numerous herbs blooming on the northern slopes, situated in the Bulgarian territory.
The 2280 m high mountain, part of Rilo- Rodope mountain range is considered to be the northern border of the Mediterranean influence, which is reaching Bulgaria along the Mesta river valley.
The Bulgarian part of Slavianka mountain is home of 1700 higher class species, which makes this nook unique not only for the Balkans, but also for Europe.
It is not a coincidence that the natural reserve “Ali Botush” is situated in the site. In 1977 it was included in the UNESCO's list for biosphere reserves in the “human and biosphere” program as a territory for the preservation of the world's natural heritage. The natural reserve is spreading over 1628 hectares and it hosts the biggest fir habitat on the Balkans. The Pinus nigra also has wide habitat in the borders of the natural reserve.
The lower parts of the mountain are home of oak and hornbeam forests. This belt is followed by chestnut and beech forests over 1000 meters above the sea level. The third belt is represented by fir forests- pine, spruce, fir and white fir threes.
Their shadow is home of rich fauna world. Together with the typical for Bulgaria species as deer, wild- boars, hares and foxes, the forests are also home of jackals, two kinds of turtles, the Macedonian lizard (Lacerda erhardi) and the extremely rare Telescopus fallax. Mediterranean invertebrates species are among the brightest inhibitors of the natural park. Over 200 of them are butterflies. Some of them are new to the science.
The trade mark of Slavianka mountain is the incredible diversity of herbs. The northern slopes of the mountain are even more charming, because of the contrast between the white karst rocks and the bright colours of flowers and butterflies. “Ali botush” reserve hosts 20 Bulgarian endemics, 4 Balkan endemics and many other protected species.
This small mountain is so well preserved as during the 1944- 1989 period it was a closed border zone between Bulgaria and Greece. Today the mountain is welcoming the discoverers of its primary beauty.
The lower parts of the mountain are home of oak and hornbeam forests. This belt is followed by chestnut and beech forests over 1000 meters above the sea level. The third belt is represented by fir forests- pine, spruce, fir and white fir threes.
Their shadow is home of rich fauna world. Together with the typical for Bulgaria species as deer, wild- boars, hares and foxes, the forests are also home of jackals, two kinds of turtles, the Macedonian lizard (Lacerda erhardi) and the extremely rare Telescopus fallax. Mediterranean invertebrates species are among the brightest inhibitors of the natural park. Over 200 of them are butterflies. Some of them are new to the science.
The trade mark of Slavianka mountain is the incredible diversity of herbs. The northern slopes of the mountain are even more charming, because of the contrast between the white karst rocks and the bright colours of flowers and butterflies. “Ali botush” reserve hosts 20 Bulgarian endemics, 4 Balkan endemics and many other protected species.
This small mountain is so well preserved as during the 1944- 1989 period it was a closed border zone between Bulgaria and Greece. Today the mountain is welcoming the discoverers of its primary beauty.
