Uzana - the geographic center of Bulgaria

People say that home is where the heart is. The heart of many Bulgarians and foreigners belongs to a dream Uzana - the Heart of the Balkan, indulged in luscious sunshine in the summer and in snow-white reverie in the winter. Once you set a foot on its ends, you can not help falling into her enchantment. The mighty embrace of the mountain has preserved this unique place where one can recharge with energy from its grandeur and beauty. 

Uzana is located in the municipality of Gabrovo, on the transition between high and crude Central Balkan, along the soft and rounded Eastern Balkan Mountains. And more precisely - in the skirts of peak of Ispolin (1,524 m) (old name is Mount Korudzha), in the western part of the Shipka share of Central Balkan Mountains, in the very heart of Bulgaria.

Uzana is strategically located in the geographical center of Bulgaria, and like Rome, all roads lead to it. The area is popular with many opportunities available for summer vacations and weekend outings, combined with walks, gathering mushrooms, berries and herbs. The meadow is surrounded by beech forests, cut by numerous eco trails and old roads filled with caves and wonderful world of plants and animals.

The nearest start point to the alpine meadow is the town of Gabrovo, which is located only 22 km away, asphalt road. Since 2009 the area has the status of a resort. Here is the geographical center of Bulgaria, which was measured in 1991, the same year is a sign that marks the center of the territory of our country and is a stylized form of a pyramid, painted in the colors of the national flag. Since 2008, the site was included in the national tourism movement "100 Tourist Sites" under № 19 along with architectural and ethnographic complex "Ethur", National Museum of Education and Museum "House of Humour and Satire" in the town of Gabrovo. Proximity to the city allows to be visited and other cultural and historical sites unless specified - Sokolski Monastery and Architectural Reserve "Bozhentsi".

The area traditionally associated with opportunities for rest and relaxation in nature. This is the largest meadow ridge of Stara Planina Mountain and is surrounded by beech forests. Its altitude varies from 1220 to 1350 m, the highest point is Mount Markov stol (1352 m). The area is a starting point for the territory of two parks: the west - National park "Central Balkan" and east - Natural Park "Bulgarka". Area and the region are suitable for rock climbing and caving, hiking, mountain biking.

Uzana is a popular winter resort. In the area there are eight tracks, the largest has a length of 1,300 m. All tracks are equipped with lifts. Snowy meadow is a good field for kite-boarding.

The resort function following lodging and accommodations:

• Huts "Usana", "Forest House", tourist dormitory "Favorit"
• Hotel "Prima S", guest house "Hlebna", "Impulse" hotel, "Geographic Center" hotel, hostel "Partisan song" vacation home "Edelweiss"

Nature in the area and the region has a high degree of preservation, having found rare flora and fauna in the Red Book. The area is included in the European and national ecological network Natura 2000.

The varied topography, soil and climatic conditions and high elevation (1100 m) determine the greatest biological diversity in the Natural Park Bulgarka and Uzana area. They are habitat for over 400 species of plants, as officially recognized by the Pharmacopoeia of Bulgarian medicinal plants here are found around 70% of them.

From the main tree species are distributed beech - 68%, various species of oak, hornbeam, acacia, lime, ash, maple, elm, ash.

Conifer occur: white and black pine, spruce, pine, fir, European larch, which for the most part are artificial plantations.
Natural Park Bulgarka Usana and are comfortable habitat for a large number of vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. Common representatives of small mammals: hedgehog, rabbit, hamster, and forest dormouse, zhaltogarla forest mouse, blind dog, forest and snow vole. Large mammals are represented by gray wolf, bear, wild boar, red deer and roe deer.

Usana attracts people with its fresh mountain air, tranquility and magnificent scenery. Through the international tourist route passes E-3, connecting the Adriatic to the Black Sea in Bulgaria is known as a tourist route "Kom - Emine." To the west it continues to hut "Mazalat" and Triglav Massif (2,276 m) to the east - to the Shipka Pass and Mt Hadji Dimitar (before - Buzludja).

Source: http://bg.wikipedia.org
Pictures: www.uzana-tourism