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Places of Interest The beautiful scenery, the ancient historical sites and the crossroad situation of the country between the Orient and Europe have been attracting travellers since ancient times. Travel notes left by German, Austrian and Arab authors offer a rich source of evidence for the life in the Bulgarian lands. At present Bulgaria develops as a country of tourism. Despite its comparatively small territory, the variety of treasures of nature is exceptional. Summer resorts Hot summer, fine sand and clear waters attract numerous holidaymakers along the Black Sea coast. The resort centres and holiday complexes Zlatni Pyasutsi (Golden Sands), Slunchev Bryag (Sunny Beach), Albena, Duni, Elenite, Riviera, Rousalka and many others offer excellent accommodation for recreation and in terms of comfort rival world-famous seaside resorts. Winter resorts Those who love snow-clad mountain tops, forests, untouched by civilization and green meadows, flecked with flowers, will come to like Bulgarian mountains. The mots popular winter resorts Borovets in Rila, Bansko in Pirin and Pamporovo in the Rhodopes . Vitosha and Stara Planina also offer wonderful conditions for tourism and winter recreation. Mineral resorts Hot mineral water springs and healthy climate ever since ancient times have established Velingrad, Sandanski, Hisarya, Kostenets, Vurshets and other villages as balneological resorts. Natural sites Numerous are the natural sites to be visited - miraculous caves, fantastic rock-formations, rock-bridges, beautiful valleys and gorges, the unique Valley of Roses. Cultural and historical cities Remnants have been preserved of ancient habitats (Oescus, Nicoplis ad Istrum, Abrittus, etc.), medieval towns and fortresses (Cherven, Turnovo, Pliska, Preslav), National Revival architectural ensembles, picturesque monastery complexes with valuable frescoes and wood-carvings (Rila, Bachkovo, Rozhen, Preobrazhenie monasteries). Zheravna, Nesebur, Bozhentsi, Arbanasi, Melnik, Koprivshtitsa, Kovachevitsa, Dolen, Shiroka Luka, Brushlyan and the Old Town of Plovdiv have been declared reserves. UNESCO The list of monuments of the world cultural and natural heritage includes the following Bulgarian sites:
UNESCO Rila Monastery This monastery is a holy place for all Bulgarians, for it preserved their pride, national identity, faith and hope through the centuries. It was founded in the 10th century by followers of the Bulgarian hermit saint Ivan Rilski. The monastery is one of the most significant cultural centres in Bulgaria, where through the centuries intensive spiritual, educational and creative activities flourished. It was in close contact with spiritual centres abroad. After a devastating fire, the monastery was completely rebuilt in the 19th century. It is the biggest renaissance monument in Bulgaria. It is an architectural - artistic composition of enormous dimensions, an apogee of the work of the renaissance craftsmen, icon-painters, wood-carvers, artisans in the artistic area where architecture and the decorative and monumental painting of stone, wood and metal are combined. The defensive tower of Khrelio, built in the 14th century, can be found in the yard. The Monastery is still in use. There is a sumptuous library, a historical museum and a museum exhibition with a few subjects. The church was painted by the most famous representatives of the Bulgarian renaissance artistic school. UNESCO Nessebar Situated on a peninsula in the Black Sea, connected with the mainland by a narrow isthmus, this is a town with a history going back millennia. Nessebar is one of the oldest towns in Europe. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its unique colour and architecture. It is the successor of the ancient Thracian settlement called Messembria founded in the 2nd century AD. After 510 AD Dorian settlers turned it into a Greek colony. There was a theatre and a temple of the Greek God Apollo in it. Brass and silver money was coined there and, in the third century AD, golden coins were made. A huge museum displays the way of life of the different people that have inhabited it. On this tiny island castle walls from Thracian times, defensive structures, private and public buildings from the Hellenistic period, medieval churches and renaissance buildings combine to form a unique atmosphere. The churches were built during the early Byzantine period (5th and 6th centuries) and during the Middle Ages (10th to 14th centuries). The oldest of them are the basilicas, cruciform, with a single nave. The murals from the 14th to the 18th centuries have an exceptional historic and artistic value, displaying the traditions and craftsmanship of the artisans and icon-painters of that time. Nearby is the famous sea resort of "Slunchev Briag". The Old Nessebar is situated 30 km from the town of Bourgas. UNESCO Madara Horseman Madara Horseman is an unusual place - a plateau rises in the middle of a plain which, when viewed from the west, resembles a petrified waterfall. At a height of 23 meters the figure of a horseman has been hewn into the sheer rock, piercing a lion with his spear, and flanked on both sides by inscriptions reflecting the military and political power of the First Bulgarian Empire. This symbol of Bulgarian statesmanship from the early Middle Ages is the only one of its kind in the whole of Europe. UNESCO Boyana Church Boyana Church is located at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain in the Sofia suburb of Boyana. The church's unique features are its murals. Even today, more than seven centuries later, they still stun visitors with their beauty, expressiveness and deep humanness. Beside saints and martyrs the unknown artist has also painted the figures of the donors - Kaloyan and Desislava - and the royal couple King Constantine and Queen Irina. These genuine masterpieces of 13th century painting, created 200 years before the European Renaissance is a remarkable peak in Eastern Christian Art. UNESCO Ivanovo Rock Monasteries Ivanovo Rock Monasteries are located on almost a cosmic landscape - rock massifs, enveloping the picturesque river valley near the city of Rousse. As if striving to be closer to God, hermit monks settled here during the 11th - 14th century, digging cells, churches and chapels into the rocks. Talented artists painted them with realistic frescos, exquisite in colour and composition, and turned them into a treasure trove of Bulgarian mediaeval painting. UNESCO Sveshtari Tomb Sveshtari Tomb is located in a region declared an archaeological reserve, near the town of Razgrad. 2300 years ago master stonemasons erected the tomb of a Thracian king. Perfect as architecture, it amazes both with its wealth of sculptural ornaments - the caryatides below the vault, rosettes, stylizes ox heads, garlands, colonnades, as well as the ritual of heroization painted in vibrant colours. This is a remarkable monument of Thracian art - the biggest sensation of ancient archaeology in the recent years. UNESCO Pirin National Park Pirin National Park is a protected area of 27,400 hectares located in the northern and central mountain part of Pirin. It is difficult of access, but singularly beautiful, the Pirin Mountains have always attracted man and yet remained an enigma. About 60 alpine peaks, snow-capped for most of the year, rise above 2,500 m and eternal snow glitters at the bottom of the circuses. The clean mountain waters flow into more than 176 glacier lakes. The fame of the Pirin forests, covering more than half its area, is due to the black and white fir. Some 97 different small plant varieties glow here. Almost extinct animal species such as the wild goat, wild cat and capercaillie have also found shelter in Pirin. UNESCO Kazanluk Tomb Kazanluk Tomb -Located in the romantic Valley of Roses, near the town of Kazanluk. Built during the 4th century B.C. for a wealthy Thracian rules. The perfectly preserved murals are a unique testimony of pictorial art during the Hellenic period. In a talented and realistic way the artist has conveyed both the rites of a burial feast, as well as the inner state of the figures. UNESCO Sreburna Lake Sreburna Lake is located near the Danube, 16 km west of the town of Silistra. Sreburna is a fresh-water lake extending over an area of 600 hectares that has been declared a biospheric reserve. About 100 different kinds of migratory birds nest here, including some disappearing ones like the Dalmatian pelican, cormoran, ibis, mute swan, egret and heron. About 21 species of amphibians and reptiles live in the wetland. Special monitors have been installed among the thick reeds for undisturbed wildlife observation. The Valley of Roses The Valley of Roses is in the very heart of the country and is shielded by the high slopes of two majestic mountain ranges - the Balkan and Sredna Gora. The rose, the queen of flowers, has been focusing the attention of people since the remote past as a symbol of beauty and youth. It was the Phoenicians who organized first the feast of the blessed flower. Cleopatra chose the rose for her palaces; her bathroom and numerous cosmetic substances all had a rose smell. The ancient Greeks decorated their temples with roses. Homer described rose oil in the "Iliad" and in the "Odyssey". In his "Natural History" Pliny mentions the rose that was grown in Thrace. The Rose Valley is not a geographical name – it is just a notion, associated with the location where the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose grows. The Valley of Roses is one of the biggest producers of rose oil in the world. The soil and the climate in this region are quite suitable for the roses. The conditions in Kazanlak proved to be more favourable for the cultivation of the rose than those in its own country of origin - Tunisia. This is specifically valid for the rainfalls. The air humidity, cloudiness and precipitation in May and June contributed to obtain roses yielding high percentage of oil. The Rose Valley is magically transformed with breath-taking blooms in May and early June each year when The Festival of Roses is celebrated in many towns of the region. Rose picking rituals and folklore displays are presented. Tsarevets Fortress and Veliko Turnovo The Tsarevets fortress is in Veliko Turnovo - the third capital of Bulgaria after Pliska and Preslav. The city has two fortified hillls – Trapezitza and Tsarevets with the tsar’s residence and the residence of the Bulgarian patriarch. Today the wall of the fortress, towers and gates and churches can be seen. The hill looks fantastic in the lights of the project “Light and sound”. During 1185 after a successful uprising Bulgaria overthrew the Byzantine domination. The leaders of the uprising tried to liberate the previous capital Preslav, but failed. That is why they announced Turnovo as the new capital city of the liberated state. This was not an accidental choice – the place has a very important strategic significance and is naturally fortified. Situated on an important crossroads, the city played a crucial role in the struggle of Bulgaria with Byzantium, which was trying to impose its domination over the Bulgarian lands. Veliko Turnovo has been capital of the Bulgarian Kingdom for more than 200 years from 1185 until 1393. It is picturesquely situated between the hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, Momina Fortress, Sveta Gora, and along the banks of Yantra River. Medieval chroniclers described the city as "the most inaccessible and marvellous of all towns along Hems". There were 21 churches, 4 of which belonged to small monasteries on Tsarevets. The residence of the Bulgarian patriarch – The Patriarchia – was on the top of the royal hill Tsarevets. Today can be seen the wall of the fortress, towers and gates, churches. Arbanassi Arbanassi is a unique settlement, founded in the end of 15 C. by Christians. In 1582 it was registered as a vakuf of Rustem pasha. During 17-18 c. the settlement prospered. Its residents were actively involved with foreign trade. There are 5 churches and 2 monasteries from 16 17 c. in the village. The church played a very significant role in the social life of Arbanassi. Open air museum "Etar" The open air ethnographic museum “Etar” was built in the middle of 20th century in the vicinity of the town of Gabrovo, an old industrial centre of Bulgaria. It was created to preserve for the coming generations the appearance and the spirit of the old time Bulgarian mountain villages and the manufacturing traditions of the region. The museum was built on the two sides of a small river and all the buildings and sites have their authentic appearance, the same as they had during the 19th century. The buildings are differentiated into three groups: 1. Workshops using simple machines moved by the running water of the river, most of them are unique and unknown in Europe. 2. The second group of buildings forms the trade and manufacture street (charshia). There are 15 examples of houses, where manufacturing workshops and small shops are situated on the first floor and the museum items are situated on the second floor. 3. The third group of buildings has public functions: a clock tower, bridges, stone water fountain and gravestones. Nikopolis ad Istrum Nikopolis ad Istrum is a Roman and an early Byzantian town founded in 101-106 AD by the Roman emperor Trajan to honour the victories over the Daci tribes, which lived in the lands of today’s Romania. The ruins of that town are situated near the village of Nikup, close to the town of Veliko Turnovo, capital of the Second Bulgarian State during the Middle Ages. The town is situated on a hill descending steeply to the South towards the banks of river Rossitsa – feeder of the River Yantra (ancient Jatrus Fl.). The town has a rectangular plan, created by the so called orthogonal system – straight streets orientated towards the four directions of the world, crossing each other at a right angle and covers an area of 21.55 hectares (510 x 445 m). The town has two main streets – Cardo maximus (directed North-South) and Decumanus maximus (East-West). The streets are paved with stone blocks, and under them pass the water supply pipe system and sewage. The town was supplied with water by an aqueduct from a well, situated at a distance of 28 km. The town square (The Forum) has the shape of a square (42 x 42 m),elevated above the surrounding area and consists of two parts. The Baba Vida castle The Baba Vida castle construction was initiated in the second half of the 10th century over the walls and the tower of the Roman fortress. The principal construction dates from the end of 12th century until the end of the 14th century. Together with the moat, the fortress served as the defence of the town. Today, Baba Vida is a national cultural memorial and tourist attraction. The Baba Vida castle is the only medieval Bulgarian castle entirely preserved. Phenomena Phenomenon Trigrad Gorge The Trigrad gorge is one of the most impressive places in the West Rhodope Mountain. It is reached from the town of Devin - the village of Teshel. The path is dug out the left bank in the rocks and passes through 80-m tunnel. Here you can see the outlines of the 500-meters gorge with high, above 300 m sheer cliffs. Undergrown spreading pines rise in the holes and cracks of the rocks. Phenomenon Skalnite Mostove The Rocky Rhodopean Bridges are located at a height of 1450 m in the West Rhodope Mountains, alongside the eastern slope of the Chernatitsa hill, near the villages of Zabardo and Orehovo. The splendour of the rock phenomena, old-aged coniferous trees and soft outlines of the landscape makes the Rocky Bridges one of the most beautiful spots in the Rhodope Mountains. The biggest and most beautiful is the Upper Bridge, 96m long, 70m high and 35m wide with huge opening. Phenomenon Pobitite Kamani Columns of destroyed pagan temple, ruins of ancient city or Petrified Forest? That is the question asked by anyone, who passes through the little sandy desert, dotted with sporadically scattered stone colonnade, located 18 km to the West of Varna. These are the famous Pobiti Kamani. Phenomenon Melnik Pyramids The pyramids of Melnik are rocky formations (earth pyramids) in the south-western peripheral slopes of the Pirin mountain. They are located in the surroundings of the town of Melnik. These magnificent natural sculptures are outlined in various forms and shapes, looking like haystacks, Egyptian pyramids, Gothic temples, minarets, ancient towers and loop-holes, giant obelisks, rising jumpers with incredible resemblance to colossal stone mushrooms. Phenomenon Novi Iskur The gorge of the Iskara River is located between the town of Novi Iskur and the village of Chomakovtsi, Pleven. Like a giant split in the Stara Planina it is spread out 156 kilometres away. Nature created marvellous formations of earth and stone, lights and shadows. A number of meanders, sheer cliffs, weird slopes and riverside valleys are scattered from Novi Iskur up to Luti Brod. Phenomenon Belogradchik Rocks The rocks are situated in the western part of the Fore Balkan, near the town of Belogradchik. The region of the rocks is 30 km long and 3 km wide. The rocks have fantastic outlines - a sea of frozen castles, fortresses, people, birds and animals, racing chariots and scattered skyscrapers rising at a height of 200 m. National and Nature Parks Bulgaria has 3 national and 11 natural parks, 89 reserves and 2,234 natural landmarks preconditions various types of specialised tourism. The Pirin National Park The Pirin National Park is situated on the highest part of the Pirin mountain range. The landscape varies from the ancient Baikusheva pine forests to crystalline lakes and limestone rocks. Many rare plant species, such as the near extinct Edelweiss, are preserved within the park, which also contains nearly 180 glacier lakes. The Rila National Park In the southwest, the Rila National Park covers nearly half of the Rila mountain range and is renowned for its seven lakes and its tenth-century monastery. The Central Balkan National Park The Central Balkan National Park, located to the northeast of Sofia and reached via the Troyan Pass, is noted for the Raiskoto Praskalo waterfall - the highest in Bulgaria, and its 50 protected plant species, many of them native to these mountains. The Vitosha Nature Park, just outside Sofia, is home to many species of butterflies and offers shelter to wolves, bears and wild cats. The Vratchansky Balkan Nature Park, in the northwest, has spectacular rock formations, waterfalls and ancient caves. It incorporates the Vratchansky Karst Nature Reserve whose caves provide a habitat for many species of bats. The small Sinite Kamani Nature Park has spectacular rock formations. The Shoumen Plateau Nature Park near the town of Shoumen has a varied landscape of thick forests and steep rock formations and is home to the Shumenska Krepost archaeological reserve. Situated near the River Danube close to the town of Rousse, the Roussenski Lom Nature Park is known for its rich wildlife and fauna. The Strandzha Nature Park in the southeast is Bulgaria's largest. It borders the Black Sea and is famous for its oak and beech forests. The nearby Ropotamo Reserve on the banks of the River Ropotamo has a diverse landscape ranging from cliffs and forests to sandy beaches, dunes and swamps; the Arkutino swamp is a shelter for many rare bird species. The forests in the Zlatni Piasatsi Nature Park follow the coastal line, surround the famous resort Golden Sands and link with the garland of defence and resort forests around the city of Varna. The Rila Monastery Nature Park combines the beauty of the complex Rila Monastery and the value of the preserved nature. It is surrounded by 36 alpine peaks reaching 2,000 meters or better. Within the park’s boundaries there are 28 glacial lakes. Activities and Attractions Our small but very interesting country invites you to spend your adventure holiday surrounded by some of the most fascinating landscapes in Europe. Here you can practice many outdoor activities. Among the well developed are trekking and hiking, snow shoeing, ski mountaineering, rock-climbing (both summer and winter) and mountaineering, caving, para-gliding, mountain-biking, horseback riding, rafting and kayaking, photography tours, botany, bird watching and observation of wild life, etc. Mountaineering and Rock Climbing Bulgaria offers a wealth of exploration for climbers: high mountains with marvellous gorges and caves, clear lakes and rivers full of fish. Glaciers and peculiar geological formations, such as karst, prove irresistible to researchers and students of geology. The challenging terrain offers great opportunities for the fans of outdoor sports that find interesting experiences on the mountains of Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Bulgaria. More than 2/3 of the territory of Bulgaria is mountain land. The country offers 8 mountain ranges within very close proximity. The best time for summer excursions is during June, July, August and September when the meadows of the higher elevations are rich in vegetation. For winter climbing, February and March are the most suitable months. Snow shoeing and ski mountaineering is possible in the winter season – December-April. A hike in the great pine woods of the Rhodope Mountains – known as the green heart of Europe – will meet you with astonishing nature phenomenon, forgotten and abandon villages, living traditions and crafts. Hiking and Walking Hiking and walking have long been a tradition in Bulgaria, and there are both one and two week trips on offer in most of the national parks, always in the company of an experienced guide. Enthusiasts will certainly want to discover the mountain regions of Pirin, Rhodope, the Balkan with the Botev peak, and Vitosha with the breathtaking Cherni Vrah. Thanks to a network of comfortable mountain chalets, guest houses and camps, the visitor has the choice of more than 5,000 marked paths and routes through unspoilt nature, secure in the knowledge of a warm welcome at the end of an exciting day. Bulgaria is one of the few countries with very well preserved nature: 3 National parks, 9 Nature parks and many reserves (2 of them included in the UNESCO list). There are eco-trails, which run through the protected areas and show unique nature wonders. Everyone has a chance to observe the rich flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Caving There are about 4620 caves found in Bulgaria by now. All of them are with their specific history, most of them are explored and are approachable to be visited. There are found historical values in some of them while others are interesting with their karst forms and weird formation of nature. Horse riding If you are an experienced horseman, there is a wide choice of one and two week trekking tours. Destinations include the Balkan mountains, Trojan, the Danube valley and the Valley of Roses. Riding along the paths on the Rila and Stara Planina mountains you are at one with nature, breathing in cool mountain air and history at the same time. Hunting Hunting tourism relies on the big variety of game: red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, wild goat, boar, bear, grouse, hare, partridge, pheasant and many others. Bulgaria ranks second in the world in terms of the quality of shot trophies. Hunting lodges offer comfortable stay and all modern conveniences. Licensed hunters can obtain as trophy brown bears, wild goats, alpine goats and wood grouses. The prices comply with the international requirements. Here one can find one of the world’s best red deer populations consisting of 22 500 animals. Bulgaria holds 4 world records of red deer trophies and wild boar. Most of the capital trophies exceeding the CIC rating are Bulgarian. Bird-watching For the bird watching lovers the country is a must. The greatest autumn and winter migration in Europe, when thousands of rare birds fly the so called “Via Pontica” way, can be observed on the Black sea coast. Over 400 bird species that could be seen here. Ornithologist groups cover three seasons – spring (April, May, June –bird migration and breeding period); autumn (August, September – autumn migration); winter (November, February – wintering in Bourgas wetlands birds). Rafting, Canoeing and Kayaking The beauty of rafting is that no previous experience at all is required to experience this exhilarating outdoor sport. Experience the thrill of rafting and the wonders of nature as you enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery on your trip. The Struma, Arda and Ossam rivers are especially suitable for the enthusiast in springtime once the mountain snows higher up have melted, and the Stackevska river in the Vratza mountain offers all the thrills and spills of wild water rafting. The quieter waters of the Danube are particularly suitable for canoeing and kayaking. Sailing and surfing Bulgarian seaside resorts and the coastline towns offer varied options for family vacationing, rest and pro-active sporting. Supply includes practising of surfing, water ski, diving, underwater fishing, underwater archaeology, and other aquatic sport. The yacht ports in Balchik, Varna, Nessebar, and Bourgas offer opportunities for yachting with the necessary servicing and customs services. The following Bulgarian Black-sea resorts were awarded a ‘Blue Flag’ in 2003: Albena - branch International Youth Center - Primorsko, Zlatni Pyassatsi, Sunny day, Riviera, Nessebar - south beach, Pomorie - central beach and south beach, Primorsko - central beach and south beach, Kiten -central beach and south beach. |
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