A desert near Varna, Bulgaria in Europe?
It was a lazy Saturday morning when one of our family friends decided to go on a quick outing close to Varna. I needed to rest from the hectic week before and do something different. As usual I was on a look out for a travel destination near Varna. When I heard the words petrified forest I was all game. I picked up my camera bag and got ready to go with my family.
For people who want to have a little bit of action and see the only desert in Bulgaria, this is an excellent small outing just 20 kms from the center of Varna.
How to get there?
A car is the most ideal way, for travelers coming to Varna, would suggest renting a car since that would make it really easy to reach the place. Get on the E70 and drive out of the city till you see a signboard which points towards the village of Slanchevo. Get off the highway and just follow directions (which are ample under the name Pobiti Kamani) till you reach the petrified forest. Roughly a 20 km drive which should take around 20 mins to reach there.
What to wear?
Good pair of walking shoes and depending on the season you go in either a hat (summers) or a windcheater/light jacket ( during autumn, spring). I went around mid October and it was quite windy and nippy. Carry some water for sure if you are going to climb up and down in the surrounding areas to get a better view of the place.
The best part is, the place is actually like a desert and its full of soft sand. Taking off your shoes and walking in the warm sand is an experience by itself.
Open timing
The place is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. Hours – 9am to 6 pm. The fee is 3 Leva for adults and 2 leva for kids (if they are toddlers I think you pay nothing)
What is the Petrified forest/Pobiti Kamani?
It is an area of roughly 13 sq.km near Varna which is the only naturally formed desert in eastern Europe. It is divided into clusters across the region but the most prominent one is known as the center-south. What’s amazing is the fact that it supports desert vegetation like cactuses and reptiles and animals which are known to thrive in a desert environment.
The name “Pobiti Kamani” could be translated into “stones beaten into ground”. And that’s exactly what it looks like. Pillars and structures standing in the middle of soft sand, some of them as tall as 10 m. What is intriguing is that the pillars are actually hollow and don’t seem to have a foundation. There are smallish sand dunes, forming the undulating ups and downs which are fun to walk on.
These amazing structures are not man made for sure but there are a couple of theories which are debated upon. One says it is the natural phenomenon of sea waves, wind and sun along with other natural elements at work for over thousands of years. While the other one talks of more complex phenomenon’s like precipitation of carbonates from groundwater, coral complexes, bioherms etc. One local legend even says that they are the bodies of petrified giants. Whatever it might be one cannot deny the fact that it’s a beautiful place.
The Circle of wishes
This is the only man made structure in the entire stone forest. It marks a couple of pillars which are supposed to be the place where the energy associated with the forest is at its strongest. It’s a tradition to walk within the circle around the pillars and make a wish. You will see a lot of people touching the pillar with closed eyes and meditating while making a wish.
All in all its an amazing experience and a natural wonder. The sand is extremely clean (unlike the beaches) and awakens your senses when walking barefoot. You can combine this with a nice lunch at Devnya Springs, The Magical springs complex for some excellent food.
Coming up next – The magical springs
