Dervisha, Managed nature reserve near Veliki Preslav, Bulgaria.
Dervisha is a managed nature reserve stretching along both banks of the Dervishka river gorge, encompassing different ecological zones with distinct plant communities. The protected area covers 11.21 hectares and features forests, rocky outcrops, and flowing water that shape the landscape.
The area became a protected reserve in 1948 as a response to conservation efforts aimed at preserving rare native plant species. This formal protection status emerged from recognition of the site's ecological importance for regional biodiversity.
The reserve functions as an educational platform where visitors learn about Bulgarian ecosystems and the importance of protecting native plant species.
Marked trails guide visitors through the reserve, with parking available near the main entrance area. Wear sturdy footwear as paths can be steep and uneven along the gorge sections.
The reserve protects the last natural population of Balkan horse chestnuts, a tree species found nowhere else in the world. This endemic plant thrives in the specific conditions of the gorge environment.
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