Parangalitsa

Parangalitsa, also spelled Parangalitza, is a nature reserve in Rila National Park, located in the Rila mountain range in southwestern Bulgaria. Parangalitsa is the nation's second oldest protected area, declared in July 1933 to protect undisturbed primary forests, particularly of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and several pine species. Its original area was 1509 ha or 15,09 km2 and following several adjustments in 1961 and 2020, it currently spans a territory of 1487 ha or 14,87 km2. It was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977. Parangalitsa is a strict nature reserve (1st category protected territory according to Bulgarian legislation and IUCN classification) and in it are allowed only scientific research, education and passing through the reserve only on marked trails. Parangalitsa is situated in southwestern Rila in the valley of the river Blagoevgradska Bistritsa between 1,480 and 2,485 m altitude. Geologically it is dominated by gneiss and granite-gneiss. Administratively, it is part of Blagoevgrad Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province, within the area of the village of Bistritsa.