Rock formations the big and the little veil

Overview

 Rock formations The Big and the Small Veil are located in the canyon of the Provadiyska River near Nevsha station, Varna region. They are part of the rock crown formed by the sandstones of the Shumen Formation on the southern slope of Gradeto Peak on the Dyaza Plateau. The Gradeto area was protected in 2006 for the preservation of a characteristic landscape, including limestone rock formations and remains of a medieval rock monastery, as well as for the protection of the habitats of protected and priority species of plants and animals. Geologically, the area falls within the Moesian platform and is made up of horizontal layers. The valley of the Provadiyska River is among the Lower Cretaceous marls belonging to the Gornooryahov Formation, formed during the Barem century of the Early Cretaceous, about 126 million years ago. Venchanska Formation) and crumbly sandstones and sandy limestones with a thickness of 20-25 m (Shumen Formation). The stratigraphic range of these units is Conias-Santon. They were formed at the bottom of a shallow and warm Late Cretaceous sea before 83-89 million years. Above them on the ridge of the plateau are revealed 4-5 m of soft sandy limestones with early Campanian age and about 3 m of strong biogenic limestones with late Campanian age. This layer crowns the relief in the higher plateaus such as Nozzle near the village of Nevsha and Kaleto near the village of Venchan. The main role in the formation of the remarkable rock crowns on the walls of the canyon is played by the rocks of the Shumen Formation. They are stronger than the others, but they have an uneven distribution of the carbonate component and create preconditions for selective weathering, as a result of which rock niches are formed in them. The sandstones and limestones of the Shumen Formation hold back the erosion processes and form horizontal terraces with vertical slopes. In most cases, they support the parietal parts of the plateau, and the chalk-like limestones of the Venchanska Formation lying below emphasize the stepped relief, forming their sloping slopes. On the northern slope of the Provadiyska River, just above the Nevsha station, the Shumen Formation forms a rock crown with a height of about 20 m. Its eastern end is known as the Great Veil, and its western end is known as the Little Veil. They rise sharply above the sloping southern slope of the Duza plateau, formed by the soft Cretaceous limestones of the Venchanska Formation. The vertical slope below the Gradeto elevation (341.3) can be seen for kilometers and impresses with its sharp outlines and rock niches, typical for the discoveries of the Shumen Formation. The area has an extremely beautiful landscape, predetermined by the impressive karst forms and vegetation. However, the rock wreaths are the main reason for declaring the Gradeto area a natural landmark, as evidenced by the name of the site. The niches in the Shumen Formation are a natural prerequisite for the founding of a rock monastery in the early Middle Ages, and in addition to the historical landmarks is the presence of protected and priority species and plants, including Borzean needle (Alyssum borzaeanum), carnation (Dianthus nardifor). thin-veined wormwood (Artemisia lerchiana), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), bald eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), white-tailed buzzard (Buteo rufinus), snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus), owl (Bubo eurobupa), goat (Lullula arborea) et al. The discoveries of the Venchanska Formation also form interesting weathering forms of the type of rock dolls, which, in addition to Nevsha station, are also found on the southern slope of the Elsmeta plateau, east of the village of Mogila. According to the methodology for assessment of geological phenomena in Bulgaria, the Big and Small Veil geotopes are of national importance. Its aesthetic value consists in the interesting karst forms and spectacular rock crowns, as well as the impressive plateau-like relief, typical for the canyon of the Provadiyska River. The geological grounds for protection are complemented by the historical value of the remains of the ancient rock monastery and the ecological preconditions. The site is easily accessible by both rail and car. It is located next to the Sofia-Varna line and a few kilometers south of the Hemus highway.