Belogradchik Rock Sculptures - a child of erosional powers of Nature and of geological controls

Belogradchik rocks figures (Belogradchik rocks) are located in Northwest Bulgaria covering an area of 50 sq. km. They belong to Belogradchik tectonic unit (anticlinorium). They are built from Lower Triassic coarse, red, terrigenous rocks – conglomerates and sandstones. Three morphologic types of rock figures are distinguished often forming different combinations. They are a product of erosional processes occurring after the main tectonic movements during the Eocene and up to the present day. The roles of some of the earlier geological controls in the formation of the rock sculptures - tectonic, sedimentological and palaeographic are also discussed.