Information
Landmark: Pobiti KamaniCity: Varna
Country: Bulgaria
Continent: Europe
Pobiti Kamani, Varna, Bulgaria, Europe
Overview
About 18 kilometers west of Varna, Bulgaria, the Stone Forest-called Pobiti Kamani in Bulgarian-rises from the ground in strange, weathered pillars of rock.At this remarkable site, towering stone columns thrust up from the earth, their sheer size and shadowy grooves forming a dreamlike landscape that’s drawn curious visitors for hundreds of years.The Stone Forest boasts more than 300 towering stone columns, some stretching as high as 7 meters-about the height of a two-story house.These columns range in size-some so thick they could pass for tree trunks, rough and solid under your hand.Experts think the formation dates back about 50 million years, shaped during the Miocene epoch when warm seas covered much of the land.How the Stone Forest came to be is still debated, with several theories-from volcanic ash hardening to centuries of wind carving the rock-competing for the truth.Most experts believe the columns formed naturally, as calcite and other minerals settled out of ancient seas that once covered the land, leaving behind pale, stone-like ribs in the earth.Some theories suggest they’re the petrified remains of ancient trees, their grain still faintly visible, yet the geological record offers little solid proof.Biodiversity thrives in the Stone Forest, where you’ll find rare plants clinging to jagged limestone and a surprising mix of wildlife tucked among the rocks.This one-of-a-kind landscape shelters songbirds in the branches and small animals in the underbrush, giving it real importance as an ecological haven.For centuries, the Stone Forest has captivated visitors, its towering limestone pillars wrapped in local legends and folklore-stories of spirits whispering in the wind between the rocks.Some say the towering columns are the remains of ancient giants, a legend that lends the place a faint, otherworldly chill.Local communities have gathered here for rituals and ceremonies for centuries, sometimes lighting fires that flickered against the stone walls.Pobiti Kamani draws crowds of nature lovers, curious photographers, and geology buffs, all eager to see its stone pillars rising stark against the sky.It’s just a quick drive from Varna, so you can be there before your coffee cools-perfect for a day trip.Visitors can wander past ancient stone formations, follow winding marked trails, and take in the crisp scent of pine drifting through the air.Visitors will find parking and clear, well-made panels that explain the Stone Forest’s geological and ecological importance, from ancient seabeds to wind-carved pillars.The Stone Forest (Pobiti Kamani) is a striking natural wonder that opens a window into Bulgaria’s deep geological past.With its striking rock formations and sweeping views, it’s a place every traveler in the Varna region should see for themselves.Whether you’re drawn to geology, fascinated by wild landscapes, or just chasing a breathtaking day outside, the Stone Forest offers a spellbinding scene-towering limestone pillars rising like frozen waves-that captures the beauty and mystery of nature.
