{"id":13231,"date":"2021-07-03T19:06:02","date_gmt":"2021-07-03T19:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/bgdv_listing\/pliocene-park-dorkovo\/"},"modified":"2025-06-15T11:37:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-15T11:37:27","slug":"pliocene-park-dorkovo","status":"publish","type":"bgdv_listing","link":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/pliocene-park-dorkovo\/","title":{"rendered":"Pliocene Park Dorkovo (no guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>Episode BG1. Pliocene Park Dorkovo (no guide)<\/h2>\n<p>Hello, Bulgaria! \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddec<\/p>\n<p>Imagine a world 5 million years ago &#8211; a time when mastodons roamed by ancient lakes and subtropical forests covered today&#8217;s Rhodopes. Are you ready to enter Pliocene Bulgaria?<br \/>\nIn the Pliocene Park near Dorkovo, you&#8217;ll find fossils of giant animals, an authentic life-size recreation of the mastodon Anancus arvernensis and a science centre that takes you back thousands of eras. History, nature and prehistory all in one place.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note that this is one of the first episodes on the canal. It still lacks the guide elements, assessments and additional guidance you will see in later episodes. Thanks for being with us from the beginning!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-tabs style_default switch_click accordion type_togglable has_scrolling\" style=\"--sections-title-size:inherit\"><div class=\"w-tabs-sections titles-align_none icon_chevron cpos_right\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section new_tab_links\" id=\"t6cc\"><button class=\"w-tabs-section-header\" aria-controls=\"content-t6cc\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-title\">\ud83d\udea9 Timecode for quick access to video moments<\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section-control\"><\/div><\/button><div  class=\"w-tabs-section-content\" id=\"content-t6cc\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-content-h i-cf\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>There are no separate timecodes &#8211; this is from the very first episodes in the channel, before the structure with guide elements was introduced.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section\" id=\"d770\"><button class=\"w-tabs-section-header\" aria-controls=\"content-d770\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-title\">\ud83d\udc49 Links and references to other videos<\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section-control\"><\/div><\/button><div  class=\"w-tabs-section-content\" id=\"content-d770\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-content-h i-cf\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>\ud83d\udca1 Other interesting places nearby:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/tsepina-fortress\/\">BG2. Tsepina Fortress \u2013 The Last Rhodope Stronghold (no guide)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 References to other episodes:<\/span><br \/>\nNone<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"summary\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2><strong>\ud83d\udccc What will we look at in this article?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><a href=\"#summary\">\ud83d\udcdd Episode Summary<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#highlights\">\ud83d\udd25 The most interesting moments<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#location-rating\">\u2b50 Location assessment<\/a><\/strong><span id=\"summary\">\u200b<\/span><span id=\"article-overview\">\u200b<\/span><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#final-conclusion\">\u2705 Final conclusion<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\" id=\"summary\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\ud83d\udcdd Brief summary of the episode<\/h2>\n<p>In this first episode of the series, we begin our journey through Bulgaria with the Pliocene Park near the village of Dorkovo &#8211; a unique place that takes us back 5 million years in time.<\/p>\n<p>The Pliocene deposit near Dorkovo dates back about 5 million years and is the largest of its kind in the Balkans. It contains the remains of over 30 species of animals, including the mastodon Anancus arvernensis with tusks up to 4 metres long. The area was covered with wet subtropical forests, inhabited by ancient rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, deer and carnivores. The site was discovered in 1983 during construction work and the fossils are preserved at the National Museum of Natural History. The park opened in 2013 as the first paleontological center of its kind in Bulgaria.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0438\u044f\u0442\u0430<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"highlights\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\ud83d\udd25 What will you see in this episode?<\/h2>\n<p>A drone flight over the village of Dorkovo and the Pliocene Park &#8211; a unique view of one of the most significant paleontological sites in Europe, hidden in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0438\u044f\u0442\u0430<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\" id=\"location-rating\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\u2b50 Location assessment<\/h2>\n<p>The assessment is entirely based on my personal impression and is made according to several main criteria considered separately. I use a 5-point scale where (1\/5 &#8211; Very bad, 2\/5 &#8211; Bad, 3\/5 &#8211; Average, 4\/5 &#8211; Good, 5\/5 &#8211; Excellent)<\/p>\n<p><!-- SECTION 3 BUTTONS TOP --><\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow-x: auto;\">\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-size: 14px;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8f8f8;\">\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left; width: 10%;\">Criterion<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Personal impression<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left; width: 15%;\">Rating<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Accessibility<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\ude97<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">Easily accessible by car, with clear signs, parking, and suitability for all age groups. Also convenient for children.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>History<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udcdc<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">The Pliocene site near Dorkovo is of global significance \u2013 one of the most complete in Europe for that period. The mastodon Anancus arvernensis and other fossils are well-documented, and the exhibit tells the story of the region\u2019s prehistory in an accessible way. The historical value is undeniable.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Condition<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">The park is maintained and refreshed. The building is in good overall condition, though not fully modernized.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u2606<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Conveniences<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udebb<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">There is parking, a restroom, benches, and basic conditions for a visit. No restaurant is available, but basic comfort is ensured.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u2606<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Price<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udcb0<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">The entry ticket is 5 BGN \u2013 fully reasonable for the experience and content offered.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- Overall Rating --><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 15px; padding: 12px; background-color: #f3f3f3; border: 1px solid #ddd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\"><span><strong>Overall rating:<\/strong> 4.6<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 30px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<span style=\"position: relative; display: inline-block;\"><span style=\"position: absolute; left: 0; width: 50%; overflow: hidden; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2606<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0442\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0438\u0442\u0435<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"final-conclusion\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\u2705 Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"90\" data-end=\"355\">Sometimes the deepest layers of the past are hidden in the quietest places. The Pliocene Park near Dorkovo reminds us that Bulgaria did not begin with the first kingdoms, but traces its roots back to far more ancient times. Here history is not only in books &#8211; it is under our feet.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"357\" data-end=\"590\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><strong>If you like the content we share, don&#8217;t forget to subscribe to the channel and support the project &#8220;Bulgaria one click away!&#8221;. Thanks to everyone who shares and spreads the beauty of our homeland!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">Back to article<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Episode BG1 Pliocene Park near Dorkovo reveals a world where mastodons roam the Rhodopes and Europe is still forming. Are you ready to immerse yourself in prehistoric Bulgaria &#8211; for just a few minutes?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":13226,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13231","bgdv_listing","type-bgdv_listing","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bgdv_listing\/13231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bgdv_listing"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bgdv_listing"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}