Radio Bulgaria

The Danubean Plain in Bulgaria is not so monotonous and boring as some may think. Just follow the course of the Rusenski Lom River and you will see that. The first heights and scattered woods start to emerge across the flat plain. And suddenly there is a surprise – deep canyons and caves emerge. Down there one sees the river of Rusenski Lom and the tributaries of Beli Lom, Cherni Lom, and Mali Lom. This landscape is situated along the course of the Rusenki Lom River and some call it “Mountain under the plain.”

Enormous biodiversity can be found in the region. That is why part of the territory along the course of the river became a national park in 1970. Today, 40 years later this park is still not affected by mass tourism, much to the joy of ornithologists. The Rusenski Lom National Park is one of the 5 places in Bulgaria with the greatest number of nesting birds. There are Black storks, Egyptian vultures, and small eagles. There are different kinds of owls in the region, while the caves are homes for more than 25 different kinds of bats. In the local forests, one can find 16 different kinds of orchids. This enormous biodiversity is a wonderful tourist attraction, Milko Berberov, head of the Rusenski Lom National Park says. However, mass tourism could cause damage to this region, Mr. Berberov says. It is a good thing that the park is away from tourist centers and the few people who often visit the place are ornithologists and biologists. The number of tourist has been on the rise.

“Ornithologists know the region very well, as it is a place of European significance,” Milko Berberov says. “However, the number of tourists who like birds and visit the park has been rising. We are trying to achieve sustainable tourism development in the park. Canoe ride on the Cherni Lom River is one of the tourist attractions. The route starts from the old medieval fortress of Cherven and after a series of beautiful sceneries, it ends near the Ivanovo Rock Monasteries. There is also a project for an extreme eco-trail near the village of Nisovo. It reaches the big Nisovo Rock Monastery. Tourists will have to climb on wood and rope ladders, in order to reach the rock monastery 40-50 m above.”

Rock niches in the region were used in the past by monks. During the 13th century they started to build monasteries and churches in the lime rocks. This way the region became one of the biggest cultural centers in Bulgaria. Later the caves were abandoned, but wonderful frescoes can still be seen there. That is why the monasteries are under UNESCO protection. However, many of the rock monasteries cannot be reached easily due to the lack of infrastructure. Climbers love that. One of the most beautiful villages of the region is Nisovo situated along the course of the Beli Lom River. We frequently welcome guests from abroad who like Nisovo so much that they don’t want to leave,” says Plamen Petkov, owner of a small family hotel. 

“Foreigners like this place. Germans come with their backpack and cameras to the park because they like nature and the birds here,” Mr. Petkov says. There are also historical landmarks and the natural park is home of a great number of wild animals.” 

English: Alexander Markov