The In ancient times the Thracians and the Greek called the rage Haemus after the name of the King Haemos of Thrace from Greek mythology. Slavic people called it Matorni gori, and the Turks called it Kodjabalkan or Balkan. The mountain gives the name of the Balkan Peninsula.The Stara Planina Mountains plays a significant role in Bulgarian history. In medieval times it was a natural boundary of the Bulgarian state. It was also a home for freedom fighters in the whole history of Bulgaria. The Balkan Range is very impressive. Endless dense beech forests cover the lower slopes of the mountain, and on the higher altitudes cragged rocks rise up over mighty rolling hills. Many high waterfalls give a beginning of a clear water streams running fast in the steep gullies. Vegetation is lush, and bears, wolves, dear, and boar wander around.