- Rupite
Rupite (Рупите, pronounced IPA| ['rupite] ) is a small mountainous
protected area in the southeastern partBlagoevgrad Province ,Bulgaria , 10-12 kilometres northeast ofPetrich , on the right bank of theStruma River . It is best known as the place where the Bulgarian supposed clairvoyantBaba Vanga lived and was buried. The area is in fact the crater of anextinct volcano , its appearance being shaped by the volcanic hill of Kozhuh, thethermal spring s and Pchelina Hill.Nature
The landscape of Rupite is dominated by the eminence of Kozhuh (Кожух, "fur coat", taking its name from its shape resembling a fur coat thrown on) situated to the west. Although it is only 281 m high, it rises like a high mountain in the low and flat Petrich Plain. The eminence, which is part of the outskirts of the extinct
volcano , consists of three small summits, of which the middle one is the highest.Volcanic rock s and rock pyramids can be observed at the foot of Kozhuh. Due to the eminence's interesting origin (often called "the only volcano in Bulgaria") and the abundance of rare species of the Bulgarianflora andfauna , Kozhuh is a proclaimed natural landmark since1962 . Remains of an ancient Thracian town called "Petra", founded in the last quarter of the4th century BC , were discovered at the southwestern food of Kozhuh.Apart from the eminence, Rupite is also known for the curative hot springs issuing in the area, with a temperature of 71-78°C and an average discharge of 35 l/sec. The climate in Rupite is very specific, transitional between continental and Mediterranean and featuring hot dry summers and mild winters, which is one of the reasons for the variety of rare plant species, 13 of which
endangered in Bulgaria. 201 bird species inhabit the area, including a number of species typical for the Mediterranean that are not present in other areas of the country. Almost all of thesnake species that can be observed in Bulgaria can be found in Rupite, as well as four species oftortoise s and other animals that prefer relatively high temperatures.Church
The Church of St Petka was constructed at a site chosen by Baba Vanga in
1992 and has since then become a place of worship for many people and a renowned tourist attraction. The icons were created by the noted artistSvetlin Rusev and were not generally approved by theHoly Synod of theBulgarian Orthodox Church for being too realistic and not conforming to the canons. The house of Vanga can be seen nearby and a new monastery is being built.Honour
Rupite Glacier on Smith Island,South Shetland Islands is named after Rupite.External links
* [http://www.pbase.com/ngruev/rupite Nikola Gruev's gallery of Rupite]
* [http://imagesfrombulgaria.com/v/Rupite/ Gallery of Rupite at Imagesofbulgaria.com]
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