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| Bulgaria > Sightseeing > Cape Kaliakra |
The legendary Cape Kaliakra |
The legendary Cape Kaliakra. One of the most beautiful places of the
Bulgarian Black Sea coastline. With its crystal-clear waters, flora and fauna,
underwater caves and mysterious historical past it is a unique place for diving.
Cape Kaliakra can be seen on the numerous ancient marine maps. An important trade
center was situated there. There were 3 ports on Cape Kaliakra. Many foreign ships
found shelter in them during the storms for which the Sea is known as the Black Sea.
Many of the ships that couldn't reach the shore were smashed against the cliffs by the
terrible waves which can be observed in that part of the Black Sea.
The legend is connected to Lizimahus - one of the generals of Alexander the Great.
After the death of Alexander in Babylon in 332 B.C., Lizimahus stole the whole treasury
of the new Empire and set sail to Cape Kaliakra. There he managed to hide it in the cave
labyrinth, which is under the Cape - but the almighty Gods decided to punish him and sent
a terrible storm that raged for several days. All of Lizimahus fleet sank in the depths
of the sea near Cape Kaliakra. The caves still keep this secret.
Nearly 20 centuries later in these waters the fleets of two great Empires met their end-
The fleet of The Great Ottoman Empire and that of the Russian Empire during the wars
started by Empress Catherine The Great.
Cape Kaliakra at present it is a reserve spreading
over 687.5 ha. It is situated 80 km north of the
town of Varna and is the only reserve in Bulgaria
covering seawater territory /8 km in length and
500 m in width/. It was created with the sole aim of
preserving the coastal sea ecosystems, the typical steppe vegetation
and animal world and last but not least, the rich ornithofauna.
Cape Kaliakra is an Important Bird Area and is on the migratory
flyway Via Pontica.
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Details
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Where to eat
What to see
Photo gallery
View more photos from Kaliakra here...
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Location
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- 12 km from/to Kavarna
- 30 km north from/to Balchik
- 72 km north from/to Varna
- 60-70m altitude
- can be accessed by car
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History
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This two-kilometer long promontory, with sheer cliffs that drop 70 meters to the sea below,
is arguably the single most spectacular natural sight of the entire coast.
It's also a history
and nature preserve of national significance. The name means "beautiful cape," due to the abundant
pink limestone. Legend has it that the color is from the blood of the defenders of the fortress,
which was built in the 4th century b.c. and later used by the Romans and Byzantine's. It was further
fortified by the boyar Balik who had shafts bored down through the rock so the stronghold could be
supplied from the sea.
During medieval times it served as a dervish monastery.
According to one well-known legend, after the fall of the fortress to the attacking Ottomans in
the 14th century all those inside were put to death. Rather than succumb to the invaders
(and perhaps suffer a fate "worse than death") forty maidens braided their hair together and
jumped to their deaths in the sea below. The limestone cliffs contain red stains said to be
the blood of the maidens. Today, an obelisk stands near an opening in the rock called "the
gate of the 40 maidens" which memorializes this apocryphal event (a virtually identical tale
exists about the Devin fortress in the Rhodope mountains; undoubtedly, there are other locales
with their own similar versions).
Another local legend tells of St Nikola, patron saint of sailors (as well as orphans and,
curiously enough, bankers). As he ran towards the sea to escape his Turkish pursuers, the
land kept stretching under Nikola's feet - but to no avail, as he was eventually caught and
killed. At the very tip of the cape is a small chapel, restored in 1993, to mark his symbolic
grave. The tiny sanctuary affords a stunning panorama view of the coastal cliffs and the sea
which shouldn't be missed.
The cape is also the locale of several historic sea battles. In 1791 Russian admiral Ushakov
defeated the Ottoman fleet. During the Balkan War of 1912, the Bulgarian torpedo boat Druzki
crippled the Turkish cruiser Hamidie in what would prove to be the Bulgarian navy's finest hour.
Today, the thin cape shares its limited space with a small naval installation and several tourist
sights, so sailors mingle in close quarters with camera-toting visitors. From the parking lot,
a narrow one-lane road winds through an arched gate of the remarkably well-restored fortress
walls. The unobstructed 360 degree views underline the strategic importance of this once heavily
fortified redoubt. Several hundred meters further the road ends in front of the naval installation.
A set of stairs leads down to a restaurant inside a large cave. The restaurant offers good food,
reasonable prices, and - from the adjoining terrace - gorgeous views. The cliffs of limestone and
sandstone stretch to the horizon, their reddish tone gradually giving way to white and the
beginning of the "silver" coast. More than 200 feet below in the bay, local fishermen check the
daily catch in their drift nets, the putt-putt of their boats faintly audible in the distance.
Next to the restaurant, a much smaller cave houses an archaeological museum (daily 10am-7pm).
The unique locale is complemented by the
attractive displays, with 4th-6th century earthenware jugs and amphorae cleverly arranged in sand.
A glass case features jewelery items from a medieval necropolis. Starlings dart to and fro from
their nests in the walls and ceiling above. Outside, a path continues down toward the St Nikola
chapel. In front of the tiny sanctuary (the interior and icons are viewed through an iron gate)
is a wall plaque bearing the legend - in Bulgarian only - of the forty maidens. A few steps away
is a small, partially enclosed vault-shaped area with seats carved out of rock. Should you be
lucky enough to be here on a non-crowded day, linger a while in this shaded, serene place and
contemplate the stunning views.
Something else to contemplate is what was said of the area by a Turkish traveler of several
centuries ago, one Evliya Effendi (as quoted by Konstantin Jirecek in his book Travels in
Bulgaria): "Below the fortress of Kiltra (Kaliakra) which Sultan Mussa took away from the
infidels,the Dervish Monastery stood and near it, one of the seven graves of the Muslim Saint
Sarasaltukede, seen in different parts of the world. This grave was in the cave in which the
saint was said to have slain a seven-headed dragon, thus freeing two royal princesses who were
imprisoned here: a feat which helped to spread Islam in this country. The Christians worshipped
this Islamic saint under the name of Patriarch Saint Nicholas."
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