Parangalitza Biosphere Reserve

Parangalitza Biosphere Reserve is situated on the southwestern side of the Rila Mountain in the Blagoevgrad region of western Bulgaria. It was established in 1933. Its name comes from the Greek word “parangalos” which means “forbidden, hidden”. The reserve covers an area of 1509 hectares and includes about 400 hectares of the oldest conifers in Bulgaria (150-350 years old). It is officially acknowledged that it provides some of the most favourable conditions for the development of spruce in Europe. The flora in it is represented by more than 290 species of vascular plants, as well as a rich variety of animal species, protected by the law and listed in Bulgaria’s Red Book. In March 1977, the reserve was included in UNESCO’s list of biosphere reserves under the programme “Man and Biosphere”.