The Beautiful Stone Mushrooms

The Stone Mushrooms are a unique natural phenomenon that we have the pleasure of enjoying in our country. They are one of the most beautiful landmarks in the southeastern part of Bulgaria. These rock formations are located near the village of Beli Plast, along the road between Haskovo and Kardzhali. They stand there like soldiers, welcoming and bidding farewell to travelers.

The Stone Mushrooms are a protected area with a size of about 3 hectares. They are named for their mushroom-like appearance — with a pinkish base and a greenish top. They rise up to about 2.5 meters in height and width.

Their formation began millions of years ago, during the Paleogene period, when an underwater volcano was active in the area. This volcanic activity created volcanic tuffs, which later transformed into the Stone Mushrooms we know today. After the water receded, the tuffs emerged on the surface and various natural processes began to shape them. Under the influence of environmental factors — such as wind, temperature fluctuations, and rain — the rock formations slowly changed over time into what we see today. Erosion played a key role in their formation. The softer lower part formed a stem-like base, while the harder upper part became a mushroom cap. The pink color of the stem is due to the mineral clinoptilolite, and the green color of the cap comes from the mineral celadonite.