Vitanovo Reserve

Vitanovo Nature Reserve
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
Location of Vitanovo Reserve
Location	Municipality of Malko Tarnovo, Burgas Province, Bulgaria
Nearest city	Malko Tarnovo
Coordinates	41°59′38″N 27°25′29″E / 41.99389°N 27.42472°E / 41.99389; 27.42472
Area	11.124 km2
Established	1981
Governing body	Ministry of Environment and Water

Vitanovo (Bulgarian: Витаново) is a nature reserve in the Strandzha mountains of south-eastern Bulgaria. Vitanovo is one of the five reserves situated in Strandzha Nature Park.^[1] It lies in south-eastern Bulgaria near the border with Turkey. The reserve encompasses an area of 1112.4 ha or 11.124 km².^[1][2] The reserve can only be accessed with a special permission, issued by the Ministry of Environment and Water of Bulgaria, for conducting research or for specialized tourism under strict rules and routes.^[1]

The nearest village is Brashlyan in the Municipality of Malko Tarnovo.

Within the territory of the reserve there are 462 species of plants: 421 herbaceous, 26 relict and 9 Balkan endemic species. The reserve is characterized by forests of Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus, Quercus frainetto, Quercus cerris and different species of oak.

Among the natural landmarks in Vitanovo are karst springs and caves, the most studied of which is the Bratanova Cave.

• "Official Site of the Ministry of Environment and Water of Bulgaria". Retrieved 18 June 2016.
• "Strandzha Nature Park". Official Site of Strandzha Nature Park. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
• "Pictures of the Vitanovo Reserve". Evgeny Dinev Photography. Retrieved 18 June 2016.