Dancing Bears park

The Dancing Bears Park is located in South Rila mountain in area of Andrianov Chark, 12km north of town of Belitsa. It was officially opened on 17 November 2000 with the help of foundations "Four Paws", foundation of the actress Brigitte Bardot and municipality of Belitsa. The park size is 120 000 m2 and it lies at an altitude of 1200 - 1345 m. above sea level.

What is "dancing bears"?
Imagine a dark-skinned Roma (Gipsy) with a rebec in his hand, pulling at the other end of a chain one of these dancing bears. The animal moves slowly and reluctantly to the sound of the rebec, rolls, shake its body as dancing, and shows other "tricks", while the tourists and passers-by toss coins at a bowl on the ground, paying for the spectacle. 

Years ago this was a frequent sight in Bulgarian large cities and Black Sea resorts. Now, all of these animals are back among the nature in the Belitsa park, so that the bears can turn back to their normal behavior in nature. There are forest, hills for walking and privacy, meadows and specially built places for solar resting. Specially made platforms allow visitors to observe them and take pictures without disturbing the animals.

Since its opening the park has become a unique tourist site for Bulgaria, and in particular - Belitsa.

Address of Dancing bears park: Adrianov Chark, 2780, Belitsa