Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The Tisata Nature Reserve 

Bulgaria has the largest natural juniper forest in Europe

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!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Admiral Emil Eftimov

Bulgaria's Chief of Defense Emil Eftimov to present an analysis of the state of the Armed Forces

The annual conference of Bulgaria’s Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov will take place from February 25 to 26, 2025. Today, Admiral Eftimov will present the "Analysis of the state and preparedness of the Armed Forces in 2024." Defense Minister..

published on 2/25/25 7:10 AM

Goethe Institut Bulgaria hosts a discussion on the potential of culture to counter youth aggression

Goethe Institut Bulgaria and Ideas Factory Association are organizing a discussion on the role of culture as a means of countering violence and youth aggression. The event will take place from 16.0 pm to 18.00 pm at Goethe Institut Bulgaria. The open..

published on 2/25/25 6:00 AM

Temperatures are expected to rise on Tuesday

On Tuesday , the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be between minus 5 and 0°C, in the northeast - as low as minus 11°C. In Sofia, it will be around minus 3°C.  In the morning, fog is possible near the rivers. During the day, there will be light..

published on 2/24/25 7:25 PM