Stories in pictures
Prohodna is one of the most famous caves in Bulgaria, located near the village of Karlukovo (0.5 km), an emblem of the Karlukovo karst region. The geological phenomenon is located at 250 meters above sea level. The cave is easily accessible and passable in all seasons of the year. The road connecting Karlukovo with Karlukovo station, the National Cave House "Petar Tranteev", the road infrastructure of the first Bulgarian geopark "Iskar - Panega" and the town of Lukovit pass right above it. There is a completely repaired road in the direction of Karlukovo, starting from the village of Rumyantsevo, as well as from the neighboring villages of Petrevene and Belentsi.
The Blue Ostrich Farm was founded in 2001 in the village of Brestnitsa, Yablanitsa municipality. The farm is located next to the cave "Saeva Dupka", which is one of the most visited tourist sites in the country.
The main activity of the farm is breeding rare and special species of animals such as ostriches, deer, ornamental rabbits and others. The farm offers an opportunity to get acquainted with the life of these animals. The main ones are ostriches and their way of life in closed breeding. Also on the farm you will get acquainted with the products obtained from these birds: feathers, eggs, skins, meat and more. Of particular interest is the small "museum" of the ostrich, where you will find a great variety and interesting ideas for the application of various products shaped as souvenirs.
Iskar-Panega Geopark is located just an hour from Sofia, just before the entrance to the town of Lukovit. The park is built along the Zlatna Panega River, and numerous bridges, gazebos and wooden platforms make the walk even more exciting. The geopark includes two regions - Karlukovo Karst Complex and Panega Landscape Park. As I understand it, this is the first geopark on the territory of Bulgaria, which includes many sites of geological, geomorphological and paleontological nature, and one of the main goals is to promote the national geotourism potential. The trail passes entirely along the Zlatna Panega River, which originates from one of the largest karst springs - Glava Panega, located about 19 km south of the town of Lukovit.
Rock Monastery "St. Nicholas - Gligora" is located about 5-6 km from the village of Karlukovo. It is located in a natural rock niche in the sheer cliffs of the picturesque Iskar Gorge.
About 100 steps are climbed to reach the monastery. A number of beautiful frescoes and an altar have been made. Adjacent to the church are a living room from the south and an outbuilding from the north. All buildings are two-storey because they are built on a natural stone threshold in the niche. The space that forms in front of the altar in the church was used as a crypt, where the monks kept the bones of their deceased brethren.
The rock monastery "St. Marina" is located near the cave "Prohodna". It can be reached from the cave house, where the tourist center is. The path is not long, but it is steep and although seemingly safe it is quite dangerous. Signs are placed. The trail is quite extreme in places, but the view from it is worth it. The rock monastery consists of a small church and a courtyard. A candle can also be lit. The rock church "St. Marina" was built in the XIV century and according to the brief historical reference, located at its entrance, is considered a unique monument of the Bulgarian Middle Ages. It was inhabited by hesychastic monks.
The rock phenomenon "Provertenika" is located on the left bank of the river Iskar in the beautiful Iskar gorge, near the village of Karlukovo. The rock is reached on the way to the hospital, and after the hospital you go on the gravel road to the rock monastery of St. George the Wonderworker. This road leads to the base of the rock, but the phenomenon is best observed from the Provertenika hut or from the surrounding heights.
The vortex is a rock plumb line with a hole with a regular shape at the top and many rock towers around. It is believed that this is an ancient observatory, because in the days of the solstice, the sun's rays pass through the opening.
