630 SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp636–8 and pp639–41
Ruins of the 4th-century BC fortress at KaliakraKaliakra r
Калиакра520 km (323 miles) E of Sofia.
@ from Varna. # 10am–7pm daily.
& 0 - =Meaning “fine nose” in Greek,
Kaliakra is a rocky promontory
that extends 2 km (1 mile) into
the sea. Locals attribute the
reddish colour of its limestone
cliffs to the blood of the many
people who died in battles for
control of this strategic point.
Kaliakra is now an extensive
archaeological site, occupied
by the ruins of a grand for-
tress dating back to the 4th
century BC. It was successively
held by Greeks, Romans,
Bulgarians and Ottomans.
According to legend, 40 maid-
ens tied their hair together
and jumped into the sea here
to escape a worse fate at the
hands of invading Ottoman
soldiers. The spot affords
stunning views of the impos-
ing cliffs around the coast.Massive tree-like pillars of the
50-million-year-old Stone Forest
Stone Forest w
Побитите камъни
420 km (260 miles) E of Sofia. @
As the name suggests, the
famous Stone Forest (Pobiti
kamûni) is a cluster of tree-
like stone columns. Spread
over a barren land scape,
they stand together in 7
groups of more than 300
each. Some of them are 6 m
(20 ft) high and up to 9 m
(30 ft) in cir cumference.
The stones are believed to
be 50 million years old and
their origins have long been
the subject of scientific specu-
lation. Among the numerous
theories advanced by experts,
it is generally agreed that they
were formed when separate
layers of chalk merged through
a layer of sand. Some scien-
tists, however, still support the
theory that they are fossilized
remnants of an ancient forest.
the beach feature well-tended
gardens, outdoor pools and
sports facilities for children.
The resort has a wide range of
restaurants and bars and offers
a variety of water sports.Environs
About 7 km (4 miles) inland
from Golden Sands is the
Aladzha Monastery. The her-
mits who settled here in the
6th century cut dozens of cells
and chambers into the lime-
stone cliff, and evidence of
Stone Age dwellers has also
been discovered. The caves
are now linked by sturdy metal
steps, but the monks accessed
them by scrambling up and
down perilous ledges, using
footholds that are still visible
in the cliff face. A museum
at the entrance displays earlier
models of the monastery,
along side ancient relics,
includ ing artifacts dating from
around 5000 BC discovered
in a Chalcolithic necropolis
on the outskirts of Varna.Beach at Golden Sands, one of Bulgaria’s most popular resortsGolden Sands e
Златни пясъци
455 km (283 miles) E of Sofia.
@ from Varna.
http://www.goldensands.bg
Bulgaria’s second largest
coastal resort after Sunny
Beach, Golden Sands (Zlatni
pyasâtsi) certainly lives up to
its name. Wooded hills, which
are part of the Golden Sands
Nature Park, slope down
towards the sea, rimmed by an
almost continuous line of
newly built hotels. The beach
itself is an unbroken 3.5-km
(2-miles) long stretch of fine
white sand. The areas behind