The Strandjan massif is located in the southeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, parallel with the Black Sea Coast between the city of Bourgas to the north and Istanbul to the south. It takes up a total area of approximately 10 000 sq. km. The shape of the mountain resembles an improper triangle, whose apex reaches the Bosphorus and whose base simultaneously touches the Bourgas Bay, the Mandrensko Lake and the Derventski heights.

Strandja is situated on the territory of two countries – Bulgaria and Turkey. The Bulgarian-Turkish border exists in its current appearance since 1913, after the Balkan War (1912-13) and the Inter allied War (1913), which resulted in the Liberation of Northern Strandja from Turkish yoke.

The highest Strandjan peak – Mahiada (1031 m above sea level) belongs to the Turkish part of the mountain. Two mountain ridges can be clearly outlined in the Bulgarian part of Strandja. These are the Rezovsko bilo ridge, which enters Bulgaria from Turkey, with its highest peak – Golyamo Gradishte (709 m above sea level southwest from the town of Malko Tarnovo) and also the Bosnensko bilo ridge with its dominant massif Golyamata Papia (501 m above sea level), which starts from the border Kervansarai peak and comes to an end south of the town of Tsarevo. Approximately 60 million years ago this massif has been an active volcano.

Observed from above, Strandja looks like a rough green sea, only without the pointed rocks and pinnacles, so characteristic of the Bulgarian alpine mountains. The small villages with their pastures, meadows and small cornfields are sparsely scattered on the afforested rounded slopes of the mountain.

Since ancient times Strandja attracts and charms with its beauty. The forests, rivers and coastal lowlands of the mountain give shelter to an exceptional variety of plants and animals. On the other hand the mountain treasures memories and evidence of dramatic historical events and the surviving archaic pagan folklore customs and traditions of the past, today still kindle the imagination and warm the soul.

The Strandja Natural Park was established in 1995. Its ultimate goal is to preserve the unique natural and cultural treasure of the mountain and the region. This largest protected Bulgarian territory is also one of the most valuable and exotic European protected territories. It is located on an area of 1 161 sq. km (1% of the total territory of the country). The Park encompasses the Central Bulgarian Strandja Mountain with an outlet on the Black Sea (between the towns Tsarevo and Rezovo). It includes 5 Reserves, which take up 1/20th of its territory. These are: the oldest Bulgarian Reserve – “Silkosiya” (established in 1933), the “Vitanovo” Reserve, the “Tisovitsa” Reserve, the “Sredoka” Reserve and the “Lopushna” Reserve, which is part of the UNESCO “Human and Biosphere” international network of biosphere reserves. All activities within the reserves are forbidden. That is why the guests here can visit a whole of 11 isolated protected places and 17 natural landmarks, where they can freely peep into the wild riches of the mountain.

The Veleka and the Rezovska Rivers form the main river system of the Park. They spring from the Turkish part of Strandja and make their way into Bulgaria through beautiful gorges. The Veleka River is 147 km long. Its most important tributaries are the rivers: Mladejka, Mechi dol, Dyavolski dol and Elenitsa.

The unique geographic location of Strandja and the proximity of the mountain to three seas – the Black the Marble and the Aegean Seas form its climate, making it milder and warmer compared to that of the other Bulgarian mountains, with higher air humidity, especially in the river valleys. Winter here is short and warm and the autumn-winter precipitations abundant.

Because of the bleakness of the mountain to the north and northeast the cold drafts from north and northwest are a common phenomenon here. They cause sudden spells of cold weather. At the same time the coastal parts of the Park, in the Ahtopol – Rezovo area, are the sunniest places in the country all year round.

From bioclimatic point of view the mountain disposes of significant resources for the development of climate based treatment. The remedial qualities of the climate in the coastal zone in combination with the beaches and the sea are the reason why Ahtopol was declared a Sea Resort of national significance and Sinemorets – of local significance. According to the thorough research, which was recently made, the climate in the region of the town of Malko Tarnovo is perfect for the treatment of allergies and pulmonary diseases and may successfully compete with the climate of the town of Sandanski.

From early spring till late fall the Strandjan fortress and meadows generously offer the gifts of nature – scenic wild berries, mushrooms and healing herbs. Spring is the heavenly season of blooming and reproduction. The fresh green leaves of the eastern beech-trees growing here since the Tertiary epoch are outlined in the forest.

If you visit the Strandjan beech-tree forests at the end of May you will be astonished. In the shadows of the beech trees you will see evergreen bushes with large purple flowers. This is the Strandjan periwinkle – one of the two rhododendron species, which grow in Bulgaria. You can see this species only in Strandja and the Caucasus. The Strandjan periwinkle is beautiful but also dangerous – the honey in its flowers contains the substance andromedotoxin. In large quantities it can be poisonous. The only European deposits of Caucasus blueberry are located in the Strandja Mountain. In its native country, the Caucasus, the blueberry reaches the size of a small tree. Yet, in Strandja it can only be seen in the form of a bush.

Summer in Strandja is long and favorable. That is when the life-giving moisture streams from the cool and damp Strandjan ravines. In Natural Park Strandja, this wild fortress of bio diversity, people should walk carefully, trying not to disturb the wildlife surrounding them and also be cautious as the alluring tree hollows are home of inhabitants of the forest that do not like the presence of intruders.

The visit in Strandja is not only an adventure in nature. It also guarantees a spiritual delight by the contact with wildlife.