Natural Park 'Rusenski Lom'
Natural Park 'Rusenski Lom' is one of the ten natural parks in Bulgaria. It is set about 20 km in southern direction from town of Ruse, on the canyon typed valley of Rusenski Lom River (which is the last right tributary of Danube River).
The region is announced as a protected territory in the year of 1970. The whole land is about 3 408 000 sq. m big. The park is named on Rusenski Lom River.
The waters of Rusenski Lom River had been shaping the silhouette of the region for many long years. They made beneficial conditions for the development of various plant and animal species.
The natural park is an interesting mixture of caves and rock formations, historical monuments and zones with rich variety of species.
The diversity of the natural world in the park is due to the specific climate of the area. Winter characterizes with relatively low temperatures. Spring usually comes later in this part of the country. Summer is very hot and the autumn is warmer than the spring.
Many archeologist findings were made in this land. Remains from the antiquity and the Thracian times were found as well.
According to the archeologists the lands of the natural part became part of the Roman Empire during the I-st century B.C. Roman and Byzantine armies used to construct fortresses which were meant to protect the north-eastern borders of the empire. Remains of three fortresses were found from this period.
When the proto-Bulgarians won the territories of the nowadays natural park, they made fortification against the attacks of Byzantium.
The natural park is separated in three main and functional zones:
1. Vacation zone - it spreads all over the valley of Malki Rom River and the adjoining forest massifs. This region offers many recreational conditions. The beauty of the nature and the suitable climate conditions make the place perfect for nice and unforgettable moments. There are routes for pedestrian tourism, bicycle cross, eco-educational paths and places for bird and wild mammals' surveillance. For those who seek extreme experiences the park offers canoeing, marches with horses and bicycles, rock climbing, etc. Guides for groups of spelunkers are provided. New routes for extreme bicycling, ski running and rock climbing are in progress of developing.
2. Historical zone - as part of this zone are the Ivanovski rock churches and the medieval fortress of Cherven.
Fortress of Cherven was constructed in the VI-th century by Justinian the Byzantine emperor. Soon after that the fortress was taken possession of the new-comers Bulgarians. During the next centuries the fortress became a town. Today the remains are well-kept and are attractive tourist destination.
Ivanovski rock churches - this is an archeologist reserve located in the borders of the park. The churches in the complex are hollowed out at different height in the rock and are combined by a system of steps.
The park comprises more than 30 churches.
The only operational rock monastery is St Dimitar Basarbovski, which is also part of the park.
3. Reserve zone - it was especially made for the preserving of the topography of rare plant and animal species.
Internet sources: www.bulgariainside.com, www.bgglobe.net
Pictures: Internet
