Varna is one of the most famous places to visit in Bulgaria because of its Black Sea beaches & the party atmosphere, which goes on till early hours of the morning. About 20 kms. from Varna is a remarkable natural area called Pobiti Kamani or the Stone Forest.
A bus no. 43 is supposed to go to a village called Slunchevo and from there, it is a 2 km walk to this place. I could not find any bus no. 43 from the central bus station and everyone at the station asked me to take a taxi (€30-35 for a round trip). But, I was lucky to get a shuttle taxi for €15 from Varna Tourist Information center (minimum 3 people required).
At first glance, it looks like the ruins of an ancient temple, but the broken stone pillars are all natural.
It is believed that 50 million years ago, there was a vast sea whose waves reached the foothills of Alps. When the waters receded, the deposits were exposed to erosion. The rains washed away the loose earth and the solid parts remained upright in this desert, shaped by winds over thousands of years. However, some scientists say that millions of years ago, it was a real forest and these giant-size species remain unknown.
Whatever one believes, the area is of such stunning beauty that the mystery only adds to the drama of this place. There are some stunning formations, which have been named as per their features.
The stone columns are distributed in small groups across 8 kms. The most curious thing about these pillars is that they are mostly hollow and filled with sand. They don’t have a solid foundation and are loosely stuck into the surrounding sand as if some one had hammered them into the earth.
Sunset is a good time to see these formations in a different color or else, one should visit at mid-day (around 1pm) to see a heart shaped shadow from a particular rock. It takes around an hour or so to take a look around the whole place.
From elevated ground, the place looks surreal. I wish there was proof of human settlement here, as it will definitely add more intrigue to this place. The stone circle is the only human arrangement - it is believed to be a source of positive energy.
Once my tour was finished, I visited the Aladzha monastery which is located around 40 kms. from the Stone Forest. It is situated in a beautiful area - in the centre of Zlatni Pyasatsi Nature Park (Golden Sands Nature Park).
Aladzha Monastery is one of the few cave monasteries in Bulgaria. It is carved and arranged on two levels in a 40m high rock. The church, the cells, a dining room, the kitchen, a small cemetery, the crypt and the farm premises are all situated on the first level.
The second level is a natural rock recess which includes the monastery chapel. A group of caves known as the Catacombs is located close to the monastery. I explored the caves and then roamed amidst the trees for a while before returning to Varna.
These two places are a welcome change from the beach and party lifestyle of Varna and if you are staying in Varna for a few days, it is a good idea to venture outside the city and explore such places for a few hours.
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