Biology portfolio

Vrachanski Balkan national

park

TOWN AS THE MOUNTAIN –ANCIENT AND YOUNG

Vratsa is the place where the mountain starts from the main square. This unique combination of urban and mountain areas makes the town a perfect tourist spot. One of its greatest advantages is the opportunity to visit so many natural, cultural and historical sights in such a small region

Vratsa is located in the foot of the Balkan range in the embrace of its amazing white rocks formations, where the river Leva has formed a picturesque gorge Vratsata .It gives the name of the town “Doorway”.

LEVA RIVER

• River Leva takes its source from Vrachanski Balkan which is a protected area since 1989 and since March 1997 it was declared as protected area of international importance . More than 700 vascular plant species are established on the territory of the park.Some of them included in the Red Data book of Bulgaria are of special interest:

Centrantus kellereri

Juniperus Sabina-Savin Juniper

Leucojum aestivum Summer snowflower

Have you heard about the NIVALIN ? It is made of the summer snowflower and it is very important for the medicine .Bulgarian scientists first discovered the medical importance of this plant and its usage for the treatment of Poliomyelitis.

In the early spring you can find some interesting plants such as:

wild garlic

fern

wild geranium

The river Leva is not big but it is beautiful and its water is crystal clean.You can easily see a little silver fish -

Perch

or mountain barbel

The green frog goes out of the river to get sunshine but never leaves faraway from the water .

The following amphibian and reptile species (rare and protected) are found on the territory of the park and near the river:

Salamandra salamandra Triturus cristatus -Great crested Newt

Vipera ammodytes.Elaphe longissima

Testudo hermanni

• The territory of the reserve is inhabited by the rare and endangered species of: Egyptian vulture

peregrine falcon

Short toed eagle

The view from here is breath-taking, isn’t it ?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !!!