Bulgarian Stone Forest is older than the famous Stonehenge
The unique structure is located about 20 km from Varna and covers an area of about 50 sq. km. Among organized tourist tours to Bulgarian attractions, the Stone Forest is not on the list of must-visit sites. Meanwhile, the Pobiti Kamani (Driven Stones) is a unique geological phenomenon.
Many Russian tourists, as well as those who make a trip to Bulgaria for real estate for free, having heard about the strange "forest", get here on their own, or persuade their agent to visit Pobiti Kamani. There are especially many enthusiasts among fans of Carlos Castaneda's works and lovers of everything mysterious, since locals call the Stone Forest a "place of power".
There are incredibly many disputes about its origin. Some argue that it is an ancient observatory, others equally firmly claim that it is the oldest temple of the Sun, and still others loudly declare it to be a whimsical play of Mother Nature.
Be that as it may, the age of the stone columns is about 50 million years. This is the fact used by scientists – supporters of the natural origin of the intricate columns. According to their version, about 50 million years ago, the Lutetian Sea splashed on the territory of Bulgaria. Its bottom consisted of two thick geological layers: a limestone layer, and underneath it – a layer of quartz sand.
The Earth's crust, as is known, moves, and after millions of years the sea waters gave way to land. The limestone eroded, and rainwater seeping through it entered the layer of quartz sands, carrying dissolved limestone. Over time, concentric columns were "washed out" by water, some of which are hollow inside. When the limestone completely eroded and the sandy layer was scattered by winds, the mysterious columns were exposed.
Archaeologists, who discovered this unique site, claim that it is a man-made circular structure, and its age is over 8000 years.
Our compatriots who have purchased real estate in Bulgaria by the sea and have almost become locals, probably know even more fantastic versions of the origin of the Stone Forest. For example, some believe that once, at the dawn of the Earth's formation, there was an alien cosmodrome here, and the hollow columns served as a kind of beacons receiving space signals.
And romantic individuals appreciate a beautiful local legend, according to which in ancient times a young man lived here, to whom the Creator once, in a burst of revelation, revealed his name. In exchange for keeping the secret of his name, God granted the young man immortality. If the boy broke his oath, he would become mortal again.
But one day, while walking along the seashore, the young man met a girl of dazzling beauty and fell in love at first sight. The girl told him that she was to become the wife of the king of the sea titans. The boy, emboldened by love, went to the kingdom of the titans. He demanded that the sea lord give up the girl, to which he agreed, but on condition that the young man reveal to him the secret of the Lord's name.
The young man accepted the condition, but suggested that the sea titan bring his subjects ashore so that the name could be formed from their bodies without speaking it aloud.
God, watching everything from above, became angry at the titans' audacity, but was amazed at the young man's ingenuity. As soon as the first rays of the sun appeared on the horizon, the titans turned into stone blocks. And when the lovers met, a fountain sprang from under their feet, and wonderful flowers bloomed around...
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