The Krushuna waterfalls – Maarata

The Krushuna waterfalls – Maarata have been declared a nature landmark in order to preserve the typical geomorphologic formations, animals and plants on an area of 5.7 hectares. It is situated 34 kilometers east from the town of Lovech and 8 kilometers away from the town of Letnica, at the North end of Devetashko plateau. The water of Maarata River forms a karst waterfall, 20 meters high, and the biggest Bulgarian travertine waterfall cascading through a wealth of quarries, water pools, freestone terraces, U-shaped rocks and peculiar flora. In this region is one of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria – Vodopada (The Waterfall), with its original galleries and a labyrinth, hard to orientate in, and barriers - accessible only 150 meters from the entrance and only by speleologists. The spring water from Vodopada cave falls from 20-meter rocks and forms the Krushuna waterfall. The region has rich history. The Thracian tribe Usdikenzhy enhabitet the area during 5-th century B.C. One of the most valuable treasures from that period was found here – the Letnishkoto treasure. Fortress ruins south of the village remind of the Roman period. During the Middle Ages the area was a philosophical center of the rock monks – Hesychasts.