Share

Text size

Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The Tisata Nature Reserve

Bulgaria has the largest natural juniper forest in Europe

published on 10/17/24 7:50 AM

Photo: pirin.bg

"Exactly 75 years ago, in 1949, the largest natural stand of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa) in Europe, the Tisata, at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, was declared a nature reserve.

Greek juniper is a southern protected relict species of Anatolian origin. It can reach a height of 10-15 metres, and in some places the trunks of old trees can reach a diameter of 1 metre. Another endangered species listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria in this area is the European yew. It is an evergreen, extremely slow-growing tree that can reach a height of 30 metres. Its needles contain the alkaloid taxine, which is poisonous to humans and some animals.

The area has a great ornithological diversity - 109 species of birds nest here, 30% of which belong to the southern (Mediterranean) complex - the Blue Rock Thrush, the Western Orphean Warbler, the Sardinian Warbler, the Eastern Subalpine Warbler.

"The area is characterised by its immense ornithological wealth - 109 bird species nest here, 30% of which belong to the southern (Mediterranean) complex, including the Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), the Orphean Warbler, the Lesser Grey Shrike and the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Sylvia hortensis, Sylvia melanocephala, Sylvia cantillans).

The Tisata is also famous for its rich herpetofauna. Of the 16 species of snakes found in Bulgaria, 11 live in this reserve.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News 75 years ago greek juniper nature reserve tisata

More from category

The United States and Bulgaria strengthen cooperation in combating crime

Representatives of the Diplomatic Security Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection visited Varna to meet with their Bulgarian counterparts to exchange..

published on 9/26/25 12:27 PM

Bulgaria’s National Assembly fails to secure the necessary quorum for the third consecutive day

For the third consecutive day, Bulgaria’s National Assembly failed to secure the necessary quorum of 121 MPs to hold a session. Only 111 out of a total of 240 MPs were present in the plenary hall. The same happened on the previous two days. On..

published on 9/26/25 10:47 AM

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov at the meeting with Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Meta

Meta is interested in investing in Bulgaria

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is interested in investing in Bulgaria, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced. "The discussion took place after the meeting with General Electric, during which we talked about small modular..

published on 9/26/25 10:35 AM

1
..
3
4
5
6
7
..
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Overcast, rain
Min: 9 | Max: 15

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

MOST VIEWED

Minister of Social Affairs is against raising taxes in 2026

I do not think that any taxes should be raised, Minister of Social Affairs Borislav Gutsanov has told BNT. “The situation of people..

published on 9/29/25 8:50 AM

Bulgaria to buy anti-drone system with EU loan

Bulgaria will have its own anti-drone systems. They will be purchased by the Ministry of Defence with a loan under the European SAFE..

published on 9/29/25 9:25 AM

Bulgaria can be gateway for American gas to Europe

Bulgaria and the EU's phase-out of Russian natural gas is linked to a very long process. This was what Minister of Energy Zhecho..

published on 9/29/25 10:27 AM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking