| Bulgarka Nature Park | |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Bulgarka Nature Park |
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| Location | Gabrovo Province, Stara Zagora Province, Veliko Tarnovo Province, Bulgaria |
| Nearest city | Gabrovo |
| Area | 22,000 hectares |
| Established | August 9, 2002 |
| Governing body | Bulgarka Natural Park |
The Bulgarka Natural Park (Bulgarian, Парк Българка) is a Bulgarian nature park located 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 also 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 also home to many historical sites.[2]
The area’s historical and biological significance lead to the establishment of the Bulgarka Natural Park on August 9, 2002.[3]
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In terms of zoology, the park is located the Balkan region of European fauna.[4][5]
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 in the park 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, thrush, starling, lark, finch, nightingale, domestic sparrow, oriole, great tit and others.[6][7][8]
Reptiles native to the park lands include three species of snakes as well as lizards and others. Amphibians include several frogs, salamander and invertebrates include snails, tritons and many kinds of insects. Fish in the waterways include trout, black fish, and others.[9][10]
Forests cover about 80.2% of the park area, or 17,461 hectares. Various types of beech constitute the largest portion of the forest, at 65%. Other verities of 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. Within Bulgarka Park designated areas are established to promote greater habitat conservation.[11][12][13]
Nearly 70% of the officially recognized medicinal plants in Bulgaria may be found within the Bulgarka Park.[14][15]
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 available is yet to come.[16][17][18]
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.[19][20][21]
The park is also 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 is home to 15 hotels, which provide recreational opportunities year-round.[22]