– Djindjiritsa Reserve
  
On October 24 the town of Razlog (Southwestern Bulgaria) celebrates its public holiday. Besides for the rich history, the region is known also for its breathtaking nature. The Bayuvi Dupki – Djindjiritsa is one of the Bulgaria’s oldest reserves (established in 1934). It is located close to the town of Razlog, in Pirin Mountain. The reserve was created to protect the two rare species of Macedonian pine and Bosnian Pine, as well as variety of animals. The reserve’s territory covers about 3000 hectares, and the altitude of Bayuvi Dupki – Djindjiritsa varies from 1200 to 2884 m. some 60 per cent of the area of the reserves is covered by woods. The legend tells that once the dense woods of Djindjiritsa were inhabited only by beasts, and the local men thought they were evil spirits, called genies. There were however wonderful meadows but the shepherds were afraid to take the sheep there. Finally one of the herdsmen ventured and let the herd on the meadow, and so the other men followed him. In a way to be sure they surrounded the meadow with chains (sindjir in Bulgarian), and it was called Sindjiritsa. Once wolves came and broke up the herd. A frightened shepherd ran down from the hill shouting “genie in Sindjiritsa”, and since then the district is called Djindjiritsa.

Text - "Business Industry Capital"

Picture - Cvetan Ostromsky  - Ceco