BULGARIA - The Magoura cave with drawings from the bronze age

"The cave is located near the village of Rabisha, in the district of Vidin. The beginnings of the formation of the cave go back 15 million years ago on a hill which is 461 meters high. The cave has a number of accessible halls and galleries which were inhabited during the Bronze Age and which contain remnants of settlements and drawings on the walls. The remnants in the largest hall bear evidence to the existence of life from 3100 years to 900 years before our era - i.e. the early Iron Age. In one of the side galleries a large number of ritual drawings can be seen, which are among the masterpieces of late prehistoric art in Europe. In all probability, this gallery was a cult shrine of the cave prehistoric settlement. The Magoura Cave has been declared a monument of culture and a remarkable natural site. Provisions have been made for its preservation. The cave is open to visitors." -http://whc.unesco.org

 Great card with great stamp!

Thank you so much Lilia for sharing this with me! :)

BULGARIA - The town of Melnik and the Rozhen Monastery

"The town, the mediaeval fortress above it and the monastery (5 km from the town) are all located in an unusual surrounding of natural sand pyramids and a canyon of fantastically shaped eroded roc is a remarkable collection of architectural, artistic and archaeological monuments of major historical significance. Most important among them are the three-storey feudal castle, the mediaeval churches containing most valuable icons of the 13th to l9th century. The typical house architecture of the 18th and l9th centuries is notable indeed. Erected during the Middle Ages, the Rozhen Monastery has preserved its three portions added to it in the 16th, 17th, 18th and l9th centuries. The murals were painted from the 16th through the 18th centuries. Three unique wood-carved altars and over one hundred highly valued icons ha also been preserved. The monastery is a genuine masterpiece of art which was created in the course of several centuries." -http://whc.unesco.org

"Melnik is an architectural reserve and 96 of its buildings are cultural monuments.

With a population of 385, it is the smallest town in Bulgaria and retains its city status today for historical reasons only.

I have been there several times and it's really a wonderful place...", shares Nadezhda.

Thank you so much Nadezhda for this wonderful postcard! =)