(*This travel, folklore, and cultural tourism feature article was written by Ivan Dikov for Pax Glocalica's sister publication ArchaeologyinBulgaria.com)

Rabbie the Water Bull, a minotaur mermaid from mountainous Northwest Bulgaria, has had an exciting, awe-inspiring fate.

Nessie vs. the Bulgarian Water Bull

The world famous monster Nessie from the Loch Ness in Scotland – whether it’s a seal, a plesiosaur, or a swimming elephant using its trunk as an air pipe – has got a very tough competitor legendwise:

The Water Bull from the Rabisha Lake in Northwestern Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian “Loch Ness Monster”, the Water Bull, is probably cooler, too.

First, because it (he?) inhabits a deep endorheic lake, i.e. one that’s not connected to any rivers, seas, or oceans.

Second, because it seems to be at least part human.

Third, because its dwelling is close to the Magura Cave with its stunning prehistoric cave paintings, and to the miraculous Belogradchik Rocks.

Even though the Water Bull and Nessie seem to be of very different species, the Water Bull of the Rabisha Lake could conquer the popular imagination of the world going in the footsteps of the Loch Ness Monster (given enough “viral” promotion, and all).

The legends about the Water Bull in the Rabisha Lake, i.e. the Bulgarian Loch Ness Monster first made media headlines in Bulgaria back in the late 2000s (when the first version of this article was also published).

Since then, obviously influenced by Nessie and its enviable global popularity, some have started to refer to the Water Bull from the Rabisha Lake in Northwest Bulgaria as “Rabby” or “Rabbie” (which accidentally happens to be the Scottish short form of “Robert”, so there is another “Nessie” connection right there).

Belogradchik Municipality, which includes the rather peculiar Rabisha Lake, a rather famous and picturesque place in the Bulgarian Northwest, has opened been hoping that the legends about Rabbie the Water Bull would help boost the inflow of tourists…

Read the rest of this article on ArchaeologyinBulgaria website here

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