Slavyanka

The Slavyanka mountain is a part of the Rila-Rhodope massif with cobble ridge and steep slopes. It is surrounded by mountains, and a part of the Bulgarian border with Greece passes along its ridge. Once people called the mountain Alibotush (Ali boots). The legend tells that using a trick the Turks finally captured the people’s defender Ali Strashnika (Ali the Terrible). Stricken by his worthy behaviour the Turks’ leader Selim Pasha put in front of Ali boots filled with boiling resin and told him he was going to be free if reaches the top of the mountain with the boots on. Ali did not hesitate, put the boots on and ran towards the top. He managed to get there, but there he died. Then the people named the mountain after him - Alibotush. In today’s Slavyanka Mountain the reserve with the same name is located. Slavyanka reserve has unique vegetation for Bulgaria - Mediterranean evergreen species among Middle-European species. 1400 kinds of grass have been found in the mountain, as 20 of them are endemic. Slavyanka’s fauna is as rich and variable - some 1200 species of insects inhabit the place, as well as turtles, lizards, snakes, fox, wild swine, and many more.