Lozen mountain

Overview

Lozen is a mountain in Western Bulgaria, part of Ihtimanska Sredna gora mountain, not far from the capital Sofia. Its name comes from the village of Lozen, which is located at its foot.

Back in the Medieval ages, the fortresses in Lozen mountain defended Sofia from enemies. They sent an alarm through big fires, whenever any danger was spotted. These fortresses also guarded the road between Belgrade and Constantinople.

The mountain rose about 90 million years ago. As it was rising, the Sofia, Samokovo, and Chukurovo fields were sinking. Lozen consists of various rocks - gneisses, marls, limestones, sandstones, conglomerates, andesites, tuffs, rhyodacytes, and others. A lignite coal deposit is found near the village of Gabra. The mountain is divided into 2 parts - north and southwest. The border between the two sections runs along the Rakita River.

The Lozen mountain has been inhabited since ancient times. There are several Thracian sanctuaries and mounds, as well as many monuments from more recent times.