Belene Island

Belene Island ranks 1st on the list of the most beautiful islands in Bulgaria. The Danube River splits into two streams that travel north and south of the island, forming the island. Belene is part of Bulgarian territory since the international border between Bulgaria and Romania follows the north branch of the river. The island is located in the Danube, north of the town of Belene, and is 14.5 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide. This island is the fourth largest Danube island, with 41.078 square kilometers at low tide. Parts of the island are submerged during high tide. A pontoon bridge connects the island to the town of Belene.

Belene Island is part of the Belene Islands Complex and the Persina Natural Park, which is home to more than 170 unique aquatic bird species like the glossy ibis, pygmy cormorant, and lesser grey shrike, red-breasted geese, and others. Willows, poplars, and aspens make up the vegetation of Belene Island, which also has some agricultural ground. Alluvial deposits made up the island. Between 1949 and 1953, and 1956 to 1959, the island was home to the Belene concentration camp, which housed political detainees. In the western part of the island, the Belene Prison is still in use as a jail, while the eastern part is a maintained nature reserve.