Europe Explored » natural heritage

Srebarna Nature Reserve – home to hundreds of species of birds | Bulgaria

Claire — Tue, 17 May 2011 09:28:42 +0000

Srebarna is important freshwater lake and Bulgarian Nature Reserve listed on the UNESCO Heritage List since 1983. It is located in north-eastern part of Bulgaria, near the village Srebarna. It is home to hundreds of species of birds. Srebarna Nature Reserve is located on the major migration route between Europe and Africa. Most of the birds are very rare and endangered species. Among the most important you can see herons, Dalmatian pelican, glossy ibis, and others.

Srebarna lake is one of the most significant natural heritage in Bulgaria. The entire lake is surrounded by mosses, which reach a length of more than 1.5 km. The water covers an area of 638 hectares.

You will find here also many rare plants. This place is a paradise for nature lovers and ornithologists.

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Torrent de Pareis Gorge – Mallorca’s greatest natural wonder | Spain

Claire — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:36:23 +0000

Torrent de Pareis is one of the largest Mediterranean gorges / canyons. It is located on the west coast of the Spanish island of Mallorca, near the village of Sa Calobra.

Torrent de Pareis got its name from the stream Pareis that carved the canyon over millions of years. The most interesting entry into the canyon is by the sea from the village of Sa Calobra through two narrow tunnels in the rock. Tunnels lead to the coast where the stream Pareis flows into the sea.

In summer the stream dried on its way which allow tourist to bath on the beautiful pebble beach. It is also possible to enter the Torrent de Pareis from the upper village Escorca. The entire canyon is 7 km long. The total height from the sea to the highest point is 720 m.

The canyon is surrounded by the steep rocky walls. In the deepest places the walls reach a height of 400 m. At the bottom of the canyon you can see a small salt lake, created by the sea tide. In the walls you can find the caves that were dug by rain water. This also created a lot of water tunnels and deep lakes in the canyon.

During your trip to Torrent de Pareis you will see the huge rocky blocks. They are pieces of canyon walls, which over the years broke off due to erosion and fell to its ground. The whole area of Torrent de Pareis was announced a significant natural heritage for its geological and biological value.

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Dolomites mountain in Italy – one of the most popular ski regions in the Alps

Claire — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:20:01 +0000

Italian Dolomites fully meet expectations and current trends in tourism, and are one of the fastest growing regions in the Alpine areas. Simultaneously, the area of the Dolomites still fully preserve its historic character. Dolomites are very popular for both winter and summer tourists and become one of the most popular ski regions in the Alps. The whole area is known for its typical hospitality and the large number of sunny days per year.

One national park and many other regional parks are located in the Dolomites. In August 2009, the Dolomites were declared a natural heritage site by UNESCO.

The Dolomites are located at the north of Italy and forms the border with Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland. To the east they are surrounded by Julian Alps and to the west by Swiss Alps.

The main centres of Dolomites are Cortina d’Ampezzo, Brunico, San Martino and Canazei.

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Laurisilva forest on the island of Madeira | Portugal

Claire — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:59:09 +0000

Laurisilva forest on the island of Madeira is a rest of formerly widespread laurel forest. It contains the largest surviving relict of the defunct laurisilva forest that was once widespread across Europe. This forest is considered the center of plant diversity where you can find numerous rare, relict and endemic species, like bryophytes, ferns or flowering plants. Laurisilva forest also has a very rich fauna. Endemic species include the Madeiran long-toed pigeon and some 66 species of vascular plants.

Laurisilva forest was classified by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1999, and it is still the only natural UNESCO site in Portugal. Such a forest exists now only on the Atlantic Islands, forming the so called Biographical Region of Macaronesia – Madeira, Azores and Canaries Islands, however the most extensive laurisilva forests remain on the island of Madeira.

Close to the Laurisilva forest you can visit also Santana 12 km, Ponta Delgada 7 km, Machico 23 km, Pico Ruivo 5 km, Pico do Arieiro 8 km, Madeira 3.8 km, Fortaleza do Pico 15 km, Monte 14 km or Madeira Theme Park 11 km.

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Slovak Karst National Park – largest karstic area in Central Europe

Claire — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:27:42 +0000

The Slovak Karst National Park (Slovenský kras) lying in the south of Slovakia next to the frontier with Hungary. With 440km2 it is the largest karstic area in Central Europe with the densest concentration of underground forms. There is 1100 caves and abysses, which are inscribed in the UNESCO List of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Domica Cave, Slovakia by Jojo

Slovak Karst National Park is so far the second youngest National Park in Slovakia, established on 1 March 2002. This valuable territory with perfectly developed karst was a protected landscape area since 1973. Its significance is enhanced by the fact that it is included in the MaB (Man and Biosphere) network of biosphere reserves.

The caves and abysses in the Slovak karst and the area of the Aggteleki Karszt in neighbouring Hungary are inscribed in the UNESCO List of the Natural and Cultural Heritage. Stricter regime of conservation is applied to 10 Reserves, 16 National Natural Phenomena and 6 Natural Phenomena in the territory of the mountains Slovenský kras.

The most interesting places are the Zádielska tiesňava gorge and Domica cave – the biggest cave in Slovakia.

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Round trip through Slovak caves

Claire — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:21:27 +0000

There are as much as 44 caves and abysses in Slovakia designated the national nature monuments, which represent a part of the most significant natural heritage of the country. Only 12 of them are open to the public.

If you plan the trip to Slovakia, you should visit at least two of them – Domica – the biggest cave in Slovakia located in Slovak Karst and Dobšinská ice cave in Slovak paradise. If you plan to visit Hight Tatras, it is must to see Belianska cave in Tatranská kotlina.

The admission prices are from €4 – €7 (2010) for adults and half for the children between 6 and 15 years, or hadicapped people. The majority of caves are opened from April 1 to October 31 between 9:30 – 16:00. For further details check https://www.ssj.sk/

The list of Slovak caves that are opened to the public

Belianska Cave
Bystrianska Cave
Demänovská Cave of Liberty
Demänovská Ice Cave
Dobšinská Ice Cave
Domica
Driny
Gombasecká Cave
Harmanecká Cave
Jasovská Cave
Ochtinská Aragonite Cave
Važecká Cave

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