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Bulgaria, Pazardzhik region, Thracian - Rhodope region

Rhodope Mountains on the border with spring – Part Two

posted by Dario
Apr 11, 2017 1159 0 0
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Rhodope Mountains on the border with spring – Part Two

  • Pliocene panorama
  • Pliocene park in village of Dorkovo
  • Fortress Tsepina

Pliocene panorama

 

The adventures in the Rhodopes continue in full force. This mountain is a place that hides all kinds of treasures in the form of historic buildings, natural phenomena and others. The combination of old-growth forests and neat villages hidden on its territory contribute to the feeling of lightness and harmony. All this is accompanied by the scent of the coming spring, which not only gives us freshness, but also introduces us to the diversity of landscapes. Therefore Rhodopes are amazing and when we surrender to the magic of this place, we become part of it.

Pliocene park in village of Dorkovo

The treasure I visited this time has one of the most interesting museums in Bulgaria. It’s the village of Dorkovo and the Pliocene park.

This place housed overnski mastodon like Anancus arvernensis, who is a relative of today’s elephant. The species inhabited this area 5 million years ago during the Late Pliocene. The museum features artifacts from the Pliocene found in the paleontological field in the “Elin well” around Dorkovo.

The deposit is the largest known to paleontologists, which is a cluster of bones from more than 30 species of animals in one place, more than 600 bones have been found.
Inside the building will see a sculpture of overnski mastodon with a height of 3.90 meters. Beside him is a sculpture of fossil ape-dolihopitek.

And next to them is a giant tusk of a mastodon borsonov found in sand quarry in the village of General Inzovo, Yambol.

Presented are reproductions of scientific excavations with real bones that are found in this place, showcases fossils – a fragment of the palate with molars and tusks of overnski mastodon, canine tooth of doplihopitek and parts of the shoulder bones of Pliocene Balkan duck and Rhodope capercaillie.

Also presented with the surrounding natural habitat. Dorkovo during the Pliocene by 10-foot landscape diorama “The fauna and nature near Dorkovo and the Balkans before five million years.” It presents the types of animals that were located here such as fossil ape Dolihopitek, rannopliotsenska bear Rhodope capercaillie, rhododendron, fossil deer, fossil tapir, bicorn Pliocene rhinoceros, magnolia, mastodon of species Mammut borsoni, fossil ape Mezopitek, herd hipparions and overnski herd of mastodons. There is sound technique in place which reproduces the sounds of the animals whose remains were found in the paleontological field.

Useful information:
The Pliocene park in Dorkovo is open to visitors, with the following working hours:
From 10.00 to 19.00 hours (May-October)
And from 10.00 to 17.00 hours (October to February) every day;
The entrance fee applies to both sites – “Pliocene park” -Dorkovo and “Tourist Information Center ” and 5lv. for Adults;  3lv. for children and free for children under 3.
Monday admission is free;
To get to the village of Dorkovo you have to take the highway towards Plovdiv and to turn to September and Velingrad. The distance is 135 km. In the village there are well-marked signs that will lead you to the museum;
The museum is unique in its kind and is the richest found of the Balkans and the second most important in Europe;
The place is very interesting and educational;

Fortress Tsepina

Our next stop and final day of the adventure in the Rhodopes is the medieval fortress Tsepina. It is located northwest of the village Dorkovo, at the northeastern end of this valley, high and rocky cone peak at an altitude of 1136 meters.

As nowadays you can see part of the outer walls, which cover an area of ​​25 acres, and the highest part was a medieval castle built on an area of ​​1.5 acres. Its walls are preserved to a height of 2.5 meters.

The place is impressive and you can feel the history in the ruins of the castle, but I think the thing that blow minds every visitor here is the panorama and the view that is provided to the Rila-Rhodope massif.

We were lucky enough to witness the sunset from here and I can confidently say that this was one of the most beautiful moments that I have experienced (proof in the photos).

The silence, the fiery colors that hide among the mountain peaks and the slight breeze that made us humbly company made the moment even more special. Just then, I felt like part of the magic of this mountain.

Useful information:
The fortress itself can be visited at any time, and the museum, which is located before climbing to the castle is open every day from 10 am. to 19 pm. Note that as indicated above for the Pliocene park in Dorkovo, the ticket is valid here at the price of 5 leva;
The fortress is located 6 km from the village Dorkovo;
The site provides an extensive and rich panorama that really deserves to be seen;

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Rhodope Mountains on the border with spring - Part One

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Adventure: Elena Peteva in Lyon

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Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
As a last post I want to put under the spotlight t As a last post I want to put under the spotlight the amazing people from Staro Jelezare village and the artist – Vencislav Piriankov. 

That together as a community they released this project to show that the village can be much more than just an ordinary Bulgarian village. It can be an amazing and unique tourist destination that can attract not only Bulgarians but also foreigners.

Bonus:  In the village you can also find the museum of traditions.

(3/3)

#graffiti #bulgaria #village
Being at 180 km distance from Sofia, the village S Being at 180 km distance from Sofia, the village Staro Jelezare is the perfect spot for a one-day trip. 

There are not many sights in the village, but at least one day is needed for all the graffiti to be seen. 

Behind every corner you will see different graffiti of prominent politicians, singers, actors, all kinds of celebrities and all this mixed with the portraits of grandparents from the village.

PS: in this trip we found the diplomatic skills of Yuki-Doro, the first picture is the proof.

(2/3)

#graffiti #bulgaria #village
Here an art crime was committed... That was the s Here an art crime was committed...

That was the sign that welcomed us in the unforgettable village of Staro Jelezare, an unique place that we can call the only open art museum in Bulgaria!

It is not a secret that I am crazy about urban art, especially graffitis. At first on our minds pops the big city where we can see this type of art. But this is not the case right here. This village represents in a funny and very artistic way the modern art on the walls of the houses here. 

You can observe different absurd scenarios with popular people from around the world mixed with the traditional and the ordinary Bulgarian people. 

The place it is totally worth the visit, more pictures and info in the upcoming posts.

(1/3)

#graffiti #bulgaria #village
February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake ag February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake again. 

Yuki-Doro is challenging me who is the better poser. 🧐

#dog #hike # winter
I guess I am starting this year with a true challe I guess I am starting this year with a true challenge - hiking during winter under -15 degrees.

That was the case with the Boyana waterfall. Last year I visited them during the late summer and decided that I want to visit this place during the winter because, to be honest, I have never seen in person a big and full waterfall to be completely frozen.

So, let’s say it was something as a target for me to see it sooner or later. 

But as you can see it was really pleasant conquering this adventure because I had with me the best assistant ever - Mr. little adventurer Yuki-Doro. 

And yes, I won’t lie, I almost lost my hands and one of my legs from the extremely low temperature.

#dog #hike #winter
Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty o Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty of Yuki-Doro and I don’t blame them, to be honest. 

But as it is said - the devilish creations are the sweetest. Well, I can confirm this through my dog. 

SWIPE to the next picture and witness yourself that I have a true monster as a pet, he is twisted and scary, like a loooooot.

#dog #hiking #winter
Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain • So, let us Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain •

So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
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