Belogradchik Fortress, Bulgaria

The Belogradchik Fortress (Bulgarian:Белоградчишка крепост, Belogradchishka krepost), also known as Kaleto (Калето, "the fortress" from Turkish kale), is an ancient fortress located on the north slopes of theBalkan Mountains, close to the northwesternBulgarian town of Belogradchik. 

The initial fortress was constructed during the time when the region was part of the Roman Empire. The rock formations in the area served as a natural protection, as fortified wallswere practically only built from the northwest and southeast, with the yard being surrounded by rocks up to 70 m (230 ft) high from the other sides. Bulgariantsar of Vidin Ivan Stratsimir extended the old fortress in the 14th century, building fortified garrisons before the existing rock massifs. Considerable changes to the fortress were made in the early 19th century. These changes were typical for the Ottoman castle architecture of the period, a full reorganization being carried out, as well as additional expansion. 

Picture Source: Collected from Internet

Tsarevets Fortress, Bulgaria

Tsarevets (Bulgarian: Царевец) is a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name in Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria. Tsarevets is 206 metres (676 ft) above sea level. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces, and is a popular tourist attraction. 

The earliest evidence of human presence on the hill dates from the2nd millennium BC. It was settled in the 4th century and a Byzantinecity, tentatively identified withZikideva, was constructed near the end of the 5th century, on the grounds of which the construction of the Bulgarian stronghold was begun in the 12th century. After the Vlach-Bulgarian Rebellion and the establishment of the Second Bulgarian Empire with its capital in Veliko Tarnovo, the fortress became the most important one in Bulgaria, often compared with Rome and Constantinoplein magnificence. In 1393, the stronghold was besieged by Ottoman forces for three months before finally being conquered and burnt down on 17 July, which marked the fall of the Bulgarian Empire. Source: Wikipedia

In winter

Tsarevets and Stara Planina as seen from the village of Arbanassi

Picture Source: Collected from Internet

Seven Rila Lakes, Bulgaria

The Seven Rila Lakes (Bulgarian:Седемте рилски езера, transliterated:Sedemte rilski ezera) are a group of lakes of glacialorigin (glacial lakes), situated in the northwestern Rila Mountains in Bulgaria. They are the most visited group of lakes in Bulgaria. The lakes are situated between 2,100 and 2,500 metres elevation above sea level.Each lake carries a name associated with its most characteristic feature. The name of the lakes are as follows:

• The Tear – the highest one.
• The Eye – the deepest one.
• The Kidney – perfect for a picnic.
• The Twin – the largest one.
• The Trefoil.
• The Fish Lake – the shallowest one.
• The Lower Lake – the lowest one.

Picture Source: Collected from Internet

Wonderful Ice Arches

Some of the wonderful pictures of  ice arches are collected from Internet. Due to global warming more and more of arches are created in the arctic seas. Stop global warming and save our beloved earth. Our reckless behavior will invite dooms day within a short period of time.

 

Picture Source: Collected from Internet

Blyde River Canyon in South Africa

The Blyde River Canyon is a significant natural feature of South Africa, located inMpumalanga, and forming the northern part of the Drakensberg escarpment. It is 25 kilometres (16 mi) in length and is, on average, around 750 metres (2,461 ft) deep. TheBlyderivierpoort Dam, when full, is at an altitude of 665 metres (2,182 ft). The canyon consists mostly of red sandstone. The highest point of the canyon, Mariepskop, is 1,944 metres (6,378 ft) above sea level, whilst its lowest point where the river leaves the canyon is slightly less than 561 metres (1,841 ft) above sea level. This means that by some measure the canyon is 1,383 metres (4,537 ft) deep. While it is difficult to compare canyons world-wide, Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons on Earth, and it may be the largest 'green canyon' due to its lush subtropical foliage. It has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet.

 

Picture Source: Collected from Internet

Sea Urchins - Wonderful Sea Creatures

Sea urchins or urchins (/ˈɜːrtʃɪnz/), archaically called sea hedgehogs, are small, spiny, globular animals that, with their close kin, such as sand dollars, constitute the class Echinoideaof the echinoderm phylum. About 950 species of echinoids inhabit all oceans from the intertidal to 5,000 metres (16,000 ft; 2,700 fathoms) deep. The shell, or "test", of sea urchins is round and spiny, typically from 3 to 10 cm (1.2 to 3.9 in) across. Common colors include black and dull shades of green, olive, brown, purple, blue, and red. Sea urchins move slowly, feeding primarily on algae. Sea otters, starfish, wolf eels,triggerfish, and other predators hunt and feed on sea urchins. Their roe is a delicacy in many cuisines. The name "urchin" is an old word for hedgehog, which sea urchins resemble.

 

Picture Source: Collected from Internet