Radoslav Nakov, Todor Todorov The Belogradchik Rocks – The Natural symbol of Bulgaria

1. International Conference “The Earth and Human Potentials” ,
October 31st – November 2nd , 2012, Astana
The Geopark Idea in Bulgaria. Present
Stay and Future Potential
Radoslav Nakov, Todor Todorov
The Belogradchik Rocks – The Natural symbol of Bulgaria

2. Tectonic Position of Bulgaria in the Balkan - Eastern Mediterranean Tectonic
Belts – resulting from collision in Alpine time (from ~ 250 m.y. to present)
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Alps
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Pannonian Basin
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Black Sea
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Platform
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Balkanides
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Pont
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el
le
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Aegean Sea
Eastern Mediterranean

3. Neotectonic setting of the Southern Balkans and Bulgaria
The Alpine Orogen of
Southeast Europe
splits in two on the
Balkans. The Northern
Branch consists of the
Carpathian and the
Balkanide Fold-thrust
Belts. The Southern
Branch consists of the
Dinarides-Albanides-
Hellenides Belt.
Bulgaria belongs to the
Northern Branch of the
orogen.

4. Although small (110 000
Rock geology of Bulgaria km2) Bulgaria encloses the
remains of various
Phanerozoic and older
rock complexes and
terraines . The Paleozoic
terraines are mainly of
Peri-Gondwana origin and
were docked to Europe,
before the latest
Carboniferous. They were
heavily reworked in Alpine
time. The Mesozoic
evolution is marked by the
opening and closing of
several marginal Peri-
Thetys basins.

5. Geomorphology and Miocene - Quaternary and
neotectonic features active structures are
extensively developed
throughout Bulgaria and the
Southern Balkan. Undergoing
active extension is forming a
system of horsts and
grabens, similar to well-
known extensional systems,
like the Western United
States.
Much of the present-day
morphology is the immediate
result of neotectonic events.
In many places the
topography is the direct result
of expression of very young
and active extensional
structures

6. Active faults and relief building
The Iskur gorge – 1500 m entrenched
into the Balkan Range
The active Predela Fault
2915 m Vihren Peak
Rila Mountain 2925 m
Fault
Vitosha Mountain 2290
m
Sofia Graben 550 m

7. Protected geosites in Bulgaria
The richness of
different various rocks,
rock sequences,
structural events and
intensive present-day
relief building has led
to the occurrence of
different in type
geosites of both
special scientific and
aesthetic interests.
They are split all over
the country

8. Nature and Geoconservation in Bulgaria – a
historical review
In 1927 an Union of Native Nature Protection
was created.
The first two reserves were declared in 1933
In 1936 was proclaimed the first Bulgarian
National Park, which is one of the first on the
Balkans.

9. Present-day legislation; List of protected geosites
• In 1998 a new legislation related only to the preserved territories
was adopted. According to it the preserved territories were divided
into 6 categories: Reserves, National parks, Natural beauty spots,
Supported reserves, Natural parks, and, Preserved sites. Four
categories are of significance for the geosites. However, the
geosites have little place in the text of the law. Nothing is
mentioned about geoparks.
• The first list of geological heritage in Bulgaria was published in
1964 and 55 geological sites were included in it. Ten years later, in
1974, they became 224 and now stands at over 360.

10. List of the protected geosites
• Caves 107 • single rocks of specific
• water- falls73 feature 65
• ground “pyramids” 6 • lakes, marshes and limans
• 20
rock “pyramides” 44
• dunes 17
• upright rocks 4
• fossil site 12
• rock “mushrooms” 4
• karst springs 9
• karst valleys and canyons 12
• upright rock columns 4
• rock bridges 18
• other (moraines, palaeo -
volcanoes; mineral
occurrences, etc.) 3
The different groups of geosites are quite irregularly represented. With
few exceptions, these are mainly sites with geomorphological
features. Only 5% are geosites of Special Scientific Importance

11. Belogradchik 1998 – announcement of
UNESCO Geopark Program
During the ProGEO annual meeting the concept of UNESCO GEOPARK
Program was firstly advertised and the idea for the creation of geoparks
was adopted by the Bulgarian geologists. Potential geoparks are under
active consideration, based mainly on the national Framework list.

12. The UNESCO Geopark Concept:
• A UNESCO Geoparks is a territory with well-defined
limits and comprises a number of geological heritage
sites of special scientific importance, rarity or beauty
• It may not be solely of geological significance but also of
archaeological, ecological, historical or cultural value
• The sites are linked to one another in a formally
managed park-type situation
• The Geopark is run by designated authority which
adopts its own territorial policy for sustainable regional
socio-economic development

13. European and Global Network of Geoparks
As a result of further
development in 2000th was
created the European Network of
Geoparks. Since 2001st it is under
the auspices of UNESCO.
Presently 52 Geoparks from
18 European countries are
included in this Network. This
? very impressive Geopark
concept found further
development and the Global
Network of Geoparks was
launched in 2004th.
Unfortunately, up to date no European geoparks have been
created in Bulgaria.
However, potential geoparks are under active consideration. ?

14. Research projects in Bulgaria as a base for
geopark creation
A first project on geconservation “The Geological Heritage of
Bulgaria: sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSI)”, was accomplished
during 1996-2000
During 2001-2003 was accomplished the project “Register and
Cadastre of the Bulgarian geological phenomena”. More than 200
geological sites have been described in details and registered in a
data base form, using a unified registration form for evaluation.
In 2005 was published a framework list of the Bulgarian geosites
Since 2010 started the project “Scientific ground for the creation of
Belogradchik Geopark”
All these project as well as numerous publications provide a significant
scientific base for the creation of geoparks.
Unfortunately all projects aiming the creation of a European
Geopark were not supported by the responsible state institutions

15. Geopark Iskar-Zlatna Panega ?
Does it exist really??
In 2002 a project with the financial
support of PHARE created some
geotrails in a spectacular carstic area,
declaring it as the first Bulgarian
geopark. However, this territory has
neither administrative, neither legal
bases and is difficult to be considered
as a geopark or even as a protected
territory.

16. Presently, only this old inscription reminds for this “Geopark”

17. Potential Geopark: The Iskur Gorge – an over 1500 m
entrenched river with spectacular geology and landscape
General view The rock pinnacle “Djuglata”
Triassic section
n Carboniferous flora

18. Potential Geopark: Melnik Rock Pinnacles of southeast Bulgaria,
erosional landscape formed in continental Neogene sediments.
Photo Dr. Milovanovich

19. Potential Geopark: Pobitite Kamani (Dikili tash)
(the upright stone columns) - a spectacular natural and
geological phenomena subject of severe scientific
discussions and surrounded by a unique landscape,
built up in Paleogene sediments.

20. Banevo Palaeovolcano
Potential geopark:
The southern Bulgarian Black
Sea coast, with spectacular
geosites showing the evolution
of the Late Cretaceous
subduction-related arc-system
with an initial back-arc rifting.
Bulgarovo pillow-lavas complexe –
Over 4000 m thick

21. Potential Geopark: The Belogradchik Rocks with the
Magura cave
Erosional
Landscape in
Lower Triassic red
beds
The 3.5 km long
Magura cave with
unique Neolithic
paintings

22. Some years ago Belogradchik area was proposed to become part of the
European Network of Geoparks, but it was rejected, as one of the basic
requirement to have a designated authority was not met. In 2011 a new
campaign to turn the area into a Geopark started again, but so far is not
successful, due to the existing legislation. However, Belogradchik won the
recognition as “Natural Symbol of Bulgaria” in a national investigation

23. The general overview of all discussed areas is completed
by the required numerous historical, archeological, cultural
and biological sites.
The Madara Horseman –
a UNESCO Monument

24. Multi valuable protected natural site
National Park Pirin a UNESCO site
Some of the Bulgarian geosites represent a combination of sites of
geological and biological interest (like some lakes on the Black Sea cost,
National Parks Rila and Pirin,etc.), however they are under protection
mainly for their significance for the biodiversity.

25. Ivanovo rock churches – a UNESCO World monument
Some other sites having mainly historical value are include in the
UNESCO World Heritage List, but they have also a value as geological
sites in a broad sense.

26. Varna Necropolis
The oldest gold artifacts of the world –
5000 B.C.
A discovery on the black Sea coast –
is it related to the flooding of the Black
Sea?

27. Final Notes:
General conclusions:
The creation of geoparks not only enlarges the opportunities for tourism in
new areas as well as in such with already established touristic interest, but
also contributes to the sustainable development. The experience from the last
decade shows the economic and cultural profit from their existence.
In difference to other protected areas, the Geoparks do not impose
significant restrictions on the environment and for this reason may easily be
accepted by the local people (farmers, wood industry, mining industry, etc.)
Bulgaria:
Bulgaria has a divers and rich geological heritage.
The creation of national geoparks is considered by the geological
community as a very important goal and several prospective areas
are regarded as potential geoparks.
Unfortunately, the main obstacle for the creation of national
Geoparks is the lack of understanding from the state authorities and
the national legislation.
However, we believe Bulgaria will have its geoparks soon!

28. Thank you for your attention!
Спасибо за Ваше внимание и
гостепреимство !
Todor Todorov – ProGEO Past President
Cultural tourism and wine-tasting in support to geoparks