Boucharia - Nochtaria

The geological-geomorphological structures that constitute natural formations are located in the area of ​​Mikrovaltos of the municipality of Serbia-Velvento in Western Macedonia, 40 km south of Kozani. They extend along the stream of Potamia, on the borders with the area of ​​Livaderos. The name "Boucharia" comes from their shape, since "boucharia" in the local dialect means chimney. They are in fact natural formations, which came from erosion of the soil that began thousands of years ago. The "Bucharia" have the shape of an earthen column, consisting of sand, marls, clay and possible adhesive made of iron oxides and silicon dioxide, according to a recent report from the University of Athens. The top of these columns is covered by a slate rock, which played the role of the umbrella in the evolution of the formation. According to geologists, the formation of "Bukharia" began 70,000 years ago.

 

The "Boucharia" have a height of 3-7 meters and at the top they have like a hat, slate slabs and so they look like huge mushrooms. Their diameter ranges from half to two meters. There are about 20 such formations. In the same area there are the so-called "Nochtaria" similar geological formations that have the shape of a pyramid, but without the slate hat.

 

Similar formations exist in Kosovo, Romania and Turkey (Cappadocia).