The Stone Forest, locally known as Pobiti Kamani (“stones planted in the ground”), is a striking natural monument located approximately 18 km west of Varna. It features a surreal landscape of limestone pillars—some reaching up to 6 m in height—scattered across sand formations that once comprised a seabed that has long since vanished Visit VarnaWikipedia.

Scientific theories about the origin of these formations range from geological processes like prismatic weathering and carbonate cementation to the intriguing concept of ancient methane seepage systems creating “bubbling reefs” UNESCO World Heritage CentreWikipedia. While the precise origin remains debated, all researchers agree on their natural genesis rather than human construction Visit VarnaUNESCO World Heritage Centre.

First designated as a protected area in 1938, the Stone Forest is now included in the Natura 2000 ecological network due to its unique sand habitats and diverse flora and fauna Visit Varnamuseumvarna.com. Archaeological studies have uncovered traces of Mesolithic human activity, marking it as one of Bulgaria’s earliest inhabited sites Visit Varnamuseumvarna.com.