Old Mountain
At the eastern side to the Balkan Peninsula, there is the Balkan mountain range commonly known as the ‘Old Mountain’. It runs 560 km through the Vrashka Chuka Peak located at the border from Bulgaria & eastern Serbia, then eastwards within central Bulgaria till Cape Emine at the Black Sea. Botev, the highest peak also exists there at Central Balkan National Park & it is this mountain which gave Balkan Peninsula its name. The main role in development of the history & the people of this place is that of Stara Planina (Old Mountain). Previously Balkans Mountains were used to be called Haemus Mons. Haemus is believed to be derived from the Tharacian’s unattested term saimon which means ‘mountain range’. Aemon, Balkan, Emus, Hem, Haemimons, Slavonic Matorni gori & also Turkish Kodzhabalkan are some of the other names used for the same range. Balkan, meaning rolling hills has Persian origin & brought here by the Turkic people from Central Asia. The term is still in use in Turkmenistan & areas of the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea. Flora & fauna are two highlights of Stara Planina & Edelweiss grows in Kozyata stena. With their highest waterfalls & lush vegetation there are some amazing landscapes located at Central Balkan National Park. A lot of natural reserves & Europe’s mammals inhabit this area like Kozyata stena, Chuprene, bear, boar, deer, wolf & chamois. Geography Stara Planina (Old Mountain) geologically is a recent addition to the Alp-Himalayans which extend across Europe & Asia & it is divided between two parts; one is Balkan Chain & the Pre-Balkans which also touch beside Danubian Plain. At the South region the mountains touch alongside Sub-Balkan valleys. This is a series having eleven valleys which stretch from Serbia at west side of Black Sea & then at the east side which divides Balkans Mountains with the mountains of Srednogorie & include Vitosha & Sredna Gora. There are 30 portions of the range called mountains & Stara Planina has three further parts: From Vrshka Chuka from border side of Serbia till the famous Pass of Arabakonak, with the length 190 km & Midzor (2,169m) being the highest peak is Western Stara Planina. Starting at Arabakonak ending at Vratnik Pass is the Central Stara Planina which measures 207 km & the highest is Botev Peak at 2,376 meters. With a length of 160 km is Eastern Stara Planina through Vratnik Pass till Cape Emine & Balgarka being tallest at 1181m & Stara Planina being the lowest. A water divde is formed between the flowing rivers by Stara Planina, to Danube at north side & till the Aegean Sea in South. Iskar, Bulgaria’s widest river crosses it& forms Iskar Gorge,Archar, Timok, Lom, Ogosta, Tsibritsa, Skat, Vit, Ogosta, Osam, Vit, Yantra & Rusenski Lom are the rivers which take their source from Stara Planina & flow to Danube. Kamchia which flows in the Black Sea takes its source from here too. There are several spas like Varshets, Shipkovo & Voneshta Voda even though it is not abundant in minerals. A number of waterfalls are also there including Raysko Praskalo being the heighest in the Balkan Peninsula, Borov Kamak, Etropole, Babsko Praskalo, Karlovsko Praskalo & Skaklya. History Stara Planina holds a significant position in Bulgaria’s history since 681 when it was founded. The Empire of Bulgaria used it as a fortress for centuries & it formed a perfect barrier for Moesia, place where medieval capitals located. A number of wars amongst Bulgarian & the Byzantine Empire took place at the Balkans Mountains. They included Battle of Rishki Pass (759), Battle of Varbitsa Pass (811), Battle of Tryavna (1190). Khan Krum defeated a mighter Byzantine army & killed Emperor Nikephoros I in the battle of Varbitsa Pass. The result was that the Byzantines were afraid of that mountain for many centuries & used to pull back when informed that they have reached Stara planina. Many haiduks were given refuge in Stara planina during the Ottoman rule. The birth place of Hristo is Kalofer which is close to the tallest peak, Botev Peak. Hristo was a poet & national hero passed away in western region Stara planina in 1876, struggling with the Ottoman Empire. Near the Botev Peak is the Shipka pass where four battles took place ending Turkish rule. At the village of Shipka there is Russian Orthodox Church exists in memory of Russian & Bulgarian bravery. Tourism The biggest mountain in the East Serbia is Stara planina which presents one of the most important natural beauties in the country. Even though it is still unrevealed, still it belongs to the group of the main tourist centre & destinations, one of the reasons being that it is at the top of the priority list of the tourist offer in Serbia. The mountain resort has potential for development of all season tourism. Stara planina’s climate is continental; the mountains are snow covered for five months of the year. There is exceptional potential for development & construction of world standard ski resorts. With its peak at an altitude of 1,758 m above sea level; Babin zub is one of Stara planina’s most beautiful landscapes. At Konjarnik & Suncana dolina’s locations ski runs & ski resorts are present. Babin zub’s ski resort in Serbia has a newly built chairlift. Konjjarnik has a magic carpet for loading skiers & has a capacity of 1,200 skiers per hour. It just does not end at the amazing ski resort in Serbia, Stara planina has the system which enables them to generate artificial snowing, so in case there is a lack of the natural snow, tourists will be able to still enjoy their winter sports. Soon Stara planina and Babin Zub will become one of the greatest & preferred ski resorts in Serbia especially after the chairlift & the ski runs system have been installed & as the accommodation capacities & other related infrastructure are installed keeping in mind the taste of the ski sports lovers. Along with this the added factor which will attract visitors is the unspoiled breath taking natural environment.