Chudnite mostove
Chudnite mostove (Wonderful bridges) are rock phenomenon also known by the name of Skalni mostove (Rock bridges) are among the hundred tourist site of the Bulgarian Tourist Union.
Situated in a karst valley of the river Erkyupria in the Western Rhodopes at 1450 m altitude in the foothills of Mount Large Persenk.
One of the most beautiful natural sites in Bulgaria is about 70 km from Plovdiv and Smolyan.
In 1961 the Wonderful bridges have been declared a natural landmark.
From immemorial time on the Wonderful Bridges a pedestrian way is passing from village Orehovo to village Zaburdo.
There is an interesting legend about the emergence of bridges. Many years ago in the village Zaburdo there were many pastors. No one knows where from appeared a dragon, which began ravaging their flocks. For many years the shepherds suffered from attacks of the dragon. Finally they got together and figured out how to outsmart the dragon. A donkey loaded with powder, lit it and send it against the dragon.
The dragon swallowed the donkey with the powder that slowly but surely burned. Frantic dragon desperately was trying to escape, finally found a small hole in the ground. His enormous body opened up a gap ... After years when the dragon bones decayed, there were arched bridges left.
In fact, bridges are formed due to erosion activity in the past deep river that had transformed the cracks in the marble in a deep water cave which ceiling over time tapered and collapses. It is assumed that the debris from the collapse were washed subsequently by the river water.
As a result, remained two known marble bridge.The large is around 15 m wide in the wider parts, almost 100 meters long. It consists of three arches, the largest has a height 45 and width 40 m. The little bridge is 200 meters along the great river - impassable, 60 meters long, with a total height of 50 meters, but the arch - 30 m.
After it has very little third bridge, which is a cave in which waters Erkyupria disappeared to appear again on the surface after 3 km.
The area around the two bridges is occupied by old coniferous forests consisting mainly of spruce trees.
Both bridges are safe and suitable for tourist purposes. The passing is allowed and on and under them.
An interesting tradition has arisen after the announcement of the bridges for a tourist site - every tourist passing beneath the great bridge, recorded himself with charcoal on the wall.
Close to the phenomenon are many caves, but most of them are not fit for visitors because they are lit and secure. Nearby are the chalets "Wonderful Bridges" and "Rock bridges".
Source and photos: www.bg.wikipedia.org, www.bulgariainside.com
