The Belogradchik Rocks are towering natural sculptures in Bulgaria, with peaks reaching up to 200 meters high.

The Belogradchik Rocks are located in the Balkan Mountains of northwestern Bulgaria and cover an area of approximately 50 square kilometers. The geological process began during the Permian period, roughly 230 million years ago, when tectonic movements folded the Earth's crust. This activity created a vast basin that was eventually filled with sand, gravel, and clay, which compressed into thick layers of sandstone and conglomerate over millions of years.During the Triassic period, these layers were submerged under a shallow sea. The red tint seen today results from iron oxide minerals that oxidized when exposed to the atmosphere. As the sea receded and the region uplifted, the rocks underwent intense vertical fracturing. This created deep cracks that allowed water and wind to penetrate the stone and begin the long process of mechanical weathering.The unique shapes, such as 'The Madonna' and 'The Adam and Eve,' are the result of differential erosion. Softer layers of rock wore away faster than the harder, more resistant sections, leaving behind the tall, jagged pillars seen today. In 2009, the site gained international recognition when it was nominated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Today, it remains a primary geological site protected by the Bulgarian government for its scientific and historical value.