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Archaeological Reserve Kaliakra

Archaeological Reserve Kaliakra


12 km southeast of Kavarna, Cape Kaliakra cuts into the waters of the Black Sea.

The Cape juts out about 2 km into the sea while its rocky slopes take a 60-70m. plunge right into the waters.

Those heady heights reveal breathtaking panoramic sea views. The sea has virtually chiseled striking caves and archways into the rocks, accessible only from the water. The cape is unique in terms of its natural beauty and was proclaimed a nature reserve for a reason - there are more than 400 plant and 300 bird species here.  Cape Kaliakra is part of a major migratory route along the Via Pontica Flyway (the Western Black Sea migration route) – the second largest bird migration route in Europe. Here at least 100 bird species require special protection measures as well. The Mediterranean shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii) inhabits the area and dolphin lovers can enjoy some playful encounters with the kind.

The Cape is a significant archaeological reserve. That was actually a Thracian achievement, since the area was first settled by Thracian tribes around 4000 BC.

They started the construction of a fortress wall, extended and reinforced by the next settlers at a later stage. There are remnants of the wall and other buildings as well - churches, baths, etc.  The Kaliakra fortress was part of The Principality of Karvuna (the so called “Despotate of Dobruja”) during the Second Bulgarian Empire and residence of Despot Dobrotitsa.

There’s a museum inside one of the caves where you could see finds from the various archaeological excavations in the reserve. The amazing place is part of the "100 National tourist sites of Bulgaria” initiative.


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