Wonder Bridges
Wonder Bridges, rock bridges (obsolete .: Erkyupria) are rock phenomenon located in karst Valley Erkyupria in the Western Rhodopes 1450 m above sea level, at the foot of Big Persenk peak.
The bridges were formed as a result of erosion activity swollen river in the past that has transformed the cracks in marble in deep water cave, the ceiling over time thins places and collapsed. It is assumed that the debris from the collapse were subsequently assigned by the waters of the river.
As a result the remaining two known marble bridge. The large wide about 15 m in the wider parts, long almost 100 m. It consists of three arches, the largest has a height of 45 m and a width of 40 m. The small bridge is 200 m away from the large-river - impassable long 60 m, with a total height of 50 m, but the arch - of 30 m. Once it has a very small third bridge, which is a pot-hole cave in which waters Erkyupria disappear to appear again on the surface after 3 km.
The area around the two bridges is occupied by pine forests consisting mainly of spruce trees. Both bridges are safe and suitable for tourism purposes. The passage is allowed and on and beneath them.
The register of protected areas and protected areas in Bulgaria, Wonderful Bridges - EP Kyupria is a protected area category: Natural landmark.
There is a barbaric custom - arising after the announcement of bridges tourist site - every tourist that went under the big bridge, writes his name in charcoal on the wall. On the rock formations at the base of the big bridge they left a trail of low culture even celebrities. Under the law, scratching and placement of signs within the landmark is prohibited. The fine for this offense is from 500 to 5,000 lev. Nature cleaned inscriptions and impose fines, but this vandal tradition continues
Near the rock phenomenon are many caves, but most of them are not suitable for visits by tourists because they are not illuminated and secured. Nearby are the chalets "Wonderful bridges" and "Rock bridges", run by tourist company "Studenets" - Chepelare (possible places for tourism and overnight).
Wonderful bridges are among the hundred national tourist sites, the Bulgarian Tourist Union: number 85 - peak Golyam Perelik, nature landmark "Wonderful bridges", there is a seal.
