Stone Forest

The remarkable stone columns, well known as Pobitite kamani, are unique geological phenomenon.
They are 18 km in west of Varna, on the land of the villages of Slanchevo, Banovo, Strashimirovo, Beloslav
and Povelyanovo. In the semi desert region are located, in big and small groups, enormous stone columns which
form a belt with direction north-south and longitude of 8 km.They have different sizes with height
ranging from 0,7 to 5,9 m and diameter from 0,7 to 2,6 m.

The most visited group is well known as Central or Dikilitashka. It numbers around 300 large and small columns,
forming an 810 m long and 115 m wide strip. Some of the columns are hollow in the middle, others are thick.
Some of them have fascinating shapes because of the weathering.

There are many theories for the origin of Pobitite kamani. Scientists reckon that 50 million years ago it was
a sea bottom, later the region gradually dried up, and erosion processes began. Under the influence of the earth
processes the limestone cracked, the precipitations fallen on the superficies of the rocks, saturated
with carbonic acid, and gradually digested the limestone.

According to other scientists, it has an organic origin and is formed by coral reefs. In the year 1963 was given
the opinion that they are fossil forests, or biogenic seaweed formations (bioherms).However the most recent theory
proves their formation round gas sources and there are many places with the same origin all over the world
on dry land and also on aqua Tories of the World Ocean. The landscape of Pobitite kamani sends us mentally to desert
places but here the sands are not lifeless. An extender observation will find a great variety of fauna.
Interesting are some insects such as the sand wasp, grasshoppers, etc. Little ash-colored lizards run over
the rocky sides. More rarely you can see the green lizard with blue colored head .It is not poisonous and attracts
the visitors. It is not next to it the big striped lizard with light longitudinal strips on his back.
As a main representative of the snakes appears the harmless Archer. Rarely appears the poisonous viper.
You can also see slowly turtles and hedgehogs. There is a great variety of bird species -owlet, titmouse,
magpie, goldfinch and others nest there.

Its closeness to Varna, makes the area an attractive and interesting place.

Source: visit.bg