The city of Belogradchik is located in the northwestern part of Bulgaria. It is picturesquely spread over the western part of the Stara Planina Mountain, in the southwestern foot of the Belogradchik garland, at 545m above sea level. Well laid out, and welcoming, Belogradchik is one of the most attractive national tourism sites of Bulgaria. The unique nature and rich history inheritance are defined as one of the most interesting and wanted tourism attractions. Belogradchik is 182 km northwest from Sofia, 68 km to the northwest to Montana, 52 km southwest from Vidin and 12 km southwest from the Oreshets railway station.

     History

     This is an old settlement, originated as early as 1st century when the Romans built a fortress among the rocks. After that the fortress and the settlement were ruined many times and built again by Byzantines, Bulgarians, Turks. A register from 1454 testifies about the Bulgarian town here. In 1837 during the reign of the Sultan Mahmud II the fortress was finished in its present-day outlook and the non-paid work of the Bulgarian population. In the period of Ottoman Rule Belogradchik was a small agrarian-craftsman town. A peasant uprising began here in 1850, but it was cruelly crushed and the last defenders of the fortress slaughtered. The name of the town comes from "belija gradezh" (the white building) of the fortress - a natural combination of human and natural work. After the Liberation (1878) Belogradchik gradually becomes a tourist centre above all, which attracts thousands of visitors from the country and abroad.

     The most attractive landamrks in belogadchik district are:

     Belogradchik Rocks (formed from red sandstone and conglomerate) are one of the natural wonders of Bulgaria! A fairy-tale stone world surrounds Belogradchik from west, south and southeast. If you come from Sofia by car you will see at first the Falkov-Borovets group of rocks with Momina Skala (Maiden's Rock), Pchelin kamak, Torlaka, Borovishki Kamak etc. Lipenitsa group is to the east of the town among which biggest interest evoke the Dinosaur and the Latin Kale (a strategic fortress surrounded by a fortified wall). It is worth seeing the Lepenishka Cave in which charred wheat and vessels dating 2000 years ago were found, and the Izvozki oak - more than 1200 years old. Among the Zbegovska group of rocks to the west of the town a great impression make the Twins, the rocks in the area called Magaza, Small and Big Zbeg, which were used as fortresses, the lonely obelisk Borich and the Belogradchik stone bridge. The central group rises immediately above the town. One can see about 100 m high lonely rocks named Adam and Eve, the delicate Madonna, Konika (The Rider), Uchenichkata (The Female Student), Mechkata (The Bear), the Dervish (Muslim clergyman), the impressive Borov Kamak, Mo-na-site (The Monks), the fantastic kale with ancient fortress walls, above which the most magic rock wonders rise.

     The legend of the Belogradchik Rocks

     Centuries ago, men and women monasteries existed up there surrounded by the Belogradchik rocks. Early every morning, the monastic bells would call for prayer, the devoted to God nuns. The youngest amongst them, the obedient Valentina, was unable to hide her beauty, even under her cassock.
     Just one measly time a year, on "Petrov Den", the people were allowed to visit the monastery. On this festive day, fate met the young nun, with the proud roman patrician, Antonio. Days of happy pensiveness were coming along. While one night, Antonio climbed a rope and stepped over into Valentina's cell. The sin was committed...
     Quiet and calm nights followed, filled with love and voluptuous embraces. Love is a wonderful spell. It has its own laws. Though human intelligence, however strong it may be, steps aside. But soon, her illicit love was uncovered. Behind the thick monastery walls, everything could be hidden, but not that childish cry...
     Valentina was made to face trial before the court of the monks and nuns. It took a long time for them to think of a heavy punishment for Valentina. She listened compromisingly, snuggling her baby in a warm embrace. Finally, they came to a steady verdict. They decided to anathematize and throw her out of the monastery. To wander everywhere, insulted and cursed, like a symbol of treachery, ascribed honour and virtue of a woman.
     The monks proceeded to their monastery. Accursed and banished, Valentina stood outside the gates, holding her child in her arms. At this time, from the hill, Antonio appeared, riding his white horse, dubious of the revelation, and of the callous sentence.
     And then a miracle happened...God sent a storm, thunder and an earthquake - and the monastery buckled. Everything around had turned to stone. Valentina turned into a stone Madonna, holding baby in arms. All of them exist even today - the Madonna with the child, the Horseman, and the Monks, who were on their way to the monastery.
     The Belogradchik rocks, these striking stone structures are molded by nature in continuance to 200 million years.
     "This can not be expressed by words, but only by witnessing!" Konstantin Irechek
     "In comparison to the fantastic visions of the Belogradchik rocks, the human fantasy is raided, absolutely raided, along with all its caprices." Anton Strashimirov
     Over 230 million years ago the built-up reddish sandstones and conglomerates were laying sown the bed of a huge sea. Later on, the folding of Stara Planina began. In the course of the centuries, the persisting exoteric processes all bring the formation of a gallery of gigantic rocks, a string of formations, obelisks and castles.
     Before the astonishing look of the visitor, standing upright, are the figures of the colossal lion, the pompous eagle, the hurried schoolgirl, the strict monks, Haidut Velko...

     The Belogradchik fortress - a historical and architectural monument

     Another famous tourist site near Belogradchik is the Belogradchik Fortress. The Bulgarian architects Diakovich and Dobrouzki made the first hypothesis for the ancient building at the end of the 19th century. In the period between 100 - 300 AD, there was an ancient fortification built on the highest point of the rock massif. It used to guard the Roman road stretching north from Ratsiaria (on the Danube), passing through the Balkan Mountains and continuing south to Nis, Skopje and Rome. The road was used mainly for military purposes. Communication was established with smoke signals during the day, using giant fires by night and, when there was fog, by pounding giant drums. 150 meter deep pits surrounded the fortification and the only access to it at that time was a 25-meter ladder cut directly into the rock.

     Magura Cave - the "Pearl in the Crown"

     The so called "Pearl in the Crown" is the Magura Cave. It is near the village of Rabisha, 25km northwest of the town of Belogradchik. The cave is hollowed out in the Rabisha hill (461m above sea level). It is a small monocline, which is part of the Belogradchik anticline. The cave formation started 15 million years ago. The Torton River hollowed out in the limestone strata impressive halls and galleries.The total length of the galleries, discovered up to now, exceeds 2,000 m. There is a good asphalt road to the Magura Cave. It is one of the first well laid out caves in Bulgaria -with lighting, paths, and safeguard fittings. The cave and its surrounding area have been declared a National Tourist Sight.

     The Rabisha Lake

     Next to the Magura Cave is the Rabisha Lake - the largest inland lake in Bulgaria. It is up to 35-40m deep. The Rabisha Lake is of tectonic origin. It offers perfect conditions for surfing and swimming. The lake is also an attractive place for hunting and fishing. Lake birds, carp and sheet-fish can be found in it.

     Transport

     There is regular bus transport to Sofia, Montana, Vidin and other smaller settlements in the region. There is a bus connection with the Oreshets railway station (12 km to the northeast) of the Mezdra - Vidin railway line which connects Belogradchik to the national railway system.