The Belogradchik Hale or Kaleto Fortress has been standing ominously over the town of Belogradchik in the Balkan Mountains. Dating back to the Roman Empire, it is a natural fortress that uses the rock formations for two of its 230-foot walls. It is massive, at 100,000 square feet, originally just used as a lookout point over the area below.
You will want to add this fortress to your list of things to visit in the Belogradchik Rocks [link to other attraction]. The man-made walls on the other two sides are 6.5 feet thick at the bottom, and 36 feet high. It would have been a nearly impenetrable fortress until the Ottoman armies captured it. In the 14th century, the Bulgarian Tsar added fortified garrisons to make it one of the most significant strongholds in the area. It was last used in the 18th century as a place to behead rebels. Imagine standing in a place that has stood the test of centuries.
The United States has the Grand Canyon, but Bulgaria has the Belogradchik Rocks. These rocks are a set of sandstone rock formations in the Balkan Mountains near Belogradchik. The height of the rocks varies as much as the color. Some are as tall as 600 feet high. The rocks are the only place left where you’ll find the endangered Bulgarian daisy, a small yellow flower called the Hieracium Belogradcense.
Personalities are not usually associated with rocks, but the Belogradchik Rocks are named after the people and things they look like. The Madonna and Horseman are characters from a love story. The Madonna was a nun who forsook her nun’s vows when she fell in love with a knight. The monastery and nunnery were driven into the ground when she was tossed out, and she and her love were turned to stone. The Schoolgirl, Bear, and Dervish tell a jealous tale. The Vincent and remaining rocks are named for the town sorcerer, who protected his people from a foreign army.
What stories will you make up for the Belogradchik Rocks?
As the town is not very big, you can enjoy a walking tour, throughout Belogradchick. To walk from Belogradchik city center to Belogradchik Fortress (Kaleto) it will take 4 minutes. The distance is 397meters.
For hiring a taxi, you need to book it in advance. From city center to Kaleto, the fare will be 2 leva. It will take only a minute or two from the city center to reach Kaleto.
Summer:
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Winter:
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Waiting Time
No
Entrance Fee
Admission fee for adults is BGN 3.00
Admission fee for students and seniors is BGN 1.00
Family ticket costs BGN 5.00
Fee for Guided tours is BGN 5
For groups of 10 or more people:
Pupils, students, pensioners cost 3.00 BGN
Citizens / Bulgarians and Foreigners/costs 5.00 BGN
Admission on Monday is free of charge
Time you can spend
1 hour to 2 hours
Weather
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