The Stone Mushrooms, Natural rock formations near Kardzhali, Bulgaria.
The Stone Mushrooms are rock formations near Kardzhali, Bulgaria, created by layers of sandstone and clay stacked on top of each other. The pillars developed as softer layers wore away faster than the harder caps, leaving behind their distinctive mushroom-like silhouettes.
These formations developed millions of years ago when the region sat beneath an ancient sea where volcanic activity deposited sediment. Over time, water and wind shaped the current forms through uneven erosion of different rock types.
A local tale narrates how four sisters turned into stone mushrooms while defending themselves against bandits, with their leader becoming the nearby black hill.
The site sits between Kardzhali and Haskovo with parking spaces available for visitors. Marked trails guide you through the surrounding forest, making it easy to walk around and see the formations from different angles.
The green tints on the mushroom caps come from mineral deposits, while the pink stems show a different mineral makeup. This mix of minerals makes each formation visually distinct from the others.
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