Stone Mushrooms
Natural phenomenon Stone Mushrooms (aka Mushroom Rock) is located about 1 km north of the village of Beli Plast to the road between Haskovo and Kardzhali. Local call Mantarkaya.
The rock formations in the shape of mushrooms are carved in rhyolite volcanic tuffs. The pink color is due to the mineral kloinoptilolit and blue and black spots are manganese nodules. Green color comes from minerals seladonit. The rocks are high to 2,5-3 m.
The area of 3 ha area, which hosts rock formations, has been declared a landmark on May 13, 1974 by order RD-552 of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. In the protected area can be observed interesting bird species: Short-toed Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Red-rumped Swallow, Spanish and usually wheatear.
According to legend charcoal Raduil had four daughters. One day they headed for water, but were chased by a horde of invaders. Girls frightened horse driver who fell to the ground and was torn from the girls.
The four were overtaken by a friend of the deceased - Omura. He swung a scimitar and beheaded the first of them, but once touched the ground, it became suddenly a stone sponge.
He swung and swished two other sisters, but repeated the same. Scared Omura, dismounted, but before you kill the last girl, her head herself turned to stone.
Terrified, he jumped on his horse and tried to escape, but the first step turned into a black rock. People today call the lonely rock near the mushrooms Karatepe (Black Hill) .
