The Byzantine city is now the capital of Bulgaria. Capitals of Bulgaria throughout the history of the country

The variety of climatic conditions and geographical zones has made Bulgaria one of the best holiday destinations. In a relatively small territory of the state, you can find more than 50 resorts, while the tourism business in the country continues to actively develop.

Summer holidays in Bulgaria

The length of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is about 415 km, of which 130 are beaches with inviting warm sand. Fans of all-inclusive holidays should consider the following resorts: Albena, Golden Sands, Sunny Day, Sunny Beach, St. Constantine and Helena, Elenite, Nessebar, Riviera, Sozopol, Duni (for connoisseurs of windsurfing and other active recreation), Obzor , Mermaid.

For those who prefer an economical and relaxing family vacation, spending time in Kranevo, Pomorie, Chaika and Byala is perfect. And for connoisseurs of “wild” and contrasting holidays, Bulgaria has prepared two small resort towns - Balchik and Primorsko, where the mountains descend directly to the sea. It is worth taking into account that you will have to look for equipped beaches here, and accommodation is mainly represented by three-star hotels, but for little money.

Winter holidays in Bulgaria

The presence of two mountain ranges in the country - Pirin and Rilla-Rodopian - provides a wide selection of ski resorts for every taste. The average season is about 120 days, from December to April. There is quite enough snow in the mountains of Bulgaria - the average thickness of the cover is 1-2 m. And mild and relatively warm winters (the average temperature in winter in mountainous areas does not exceed 9 degrees below zero) provide comfortable rest and the possibility of a long stay in the fresh air.

The main ski resorts near Sofia - Vitosha and Borovets - allow you to fully enjoy all the delights of a holiday in the mountains: modern ski lifts, steep and not so steep slopes, breathtaking landscapes. Travelers visiting Plovdiv can go sledding or skiing in Pamporovo, Banya or Chepelare. Resorts such as Semkovo and Razlog are also in demand among experienced tourists.

Wellness holidays in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is famous for its hot (thermal) mineral springs, appreciated by the most ancient inhabitants of Europe. In combination with clean air - mountain or sea, water gushing from underground can not only have a healing and preventive effect, but is also an excellent addition to the treatment of many diseases.

Bulgarian springs have the maximum healing effect on the musculoskeletal system. You can improve your health in any sanatorium in the country, but the best are Chiflik, Hisar, Troyan, Devin, Kyustendil, Pavel Banya, and Varshets.

Holidays in Bulgaria

The International Surva (Survaki) Festival, held annually in the town of Pernik, near Sofia, on the last Saturday and Sunday of January, is popular among tourists. Surva is a variety of fairs, theatrical performances, folk games and festivities, ending with a crowded costume parade. In recent years, this event is quickly gaining popularity not only among European tourists: more than 6,000 guests from all over the world come to take part in traditional rituals.

In the small town of Yambol, at the end of February and beginning of March, an annual colorful festival with a masquerade procession is held - Kukerlandia. It is believed that reincarnation into images of evil spirits scares away evil spirits. Whether this is true or not is unknown, but an unforgettable experience for tourists is guaranteed.

The arrival of spring in Bulgaria is celebrated noisily and cheerfully. Interesting folk traditions are dedicated to this event: on March 1, as a sign of good wishes and protection from misfortunes, everyone ties symbolic red and white ribbons to each other - martenitsa.

May is also rich in all kinds of cultural events. From the 8th to the 13th, the largest fair in the country is organized annually in Plovdiv, which attracts folk craftsmen from all over the country. On May 18, Bulgaria celebrates International Museum Day, in honor of which the doors of the exhibition halls are open to visitors all day long. Also, as part of the event, numerous theatrical performances and open-air concerts are organized. The last week of May is famous for the beginning of the Rose Festival (each year the dates change slightly), which is held in the city of Kazanlak in even-numbered years, and in Karlovo in odd-numbered years.

Along with carefully preserving traditions, Bulgarians are open to everything new. So, on July 1, July is noisily celebrated on the Black Sea coast - a holiday that arose in the 80s of the 20th century thanks to the hippie movement and named after the song “July morning”, performed by the popular group Uriah Heep at that time. July is celebrated with dancing, fun games, and, of course, endless listening to your favorite song.

Bulgarian Navy Day (second Sunday in August) is celebrated magnificently in all coastal cities, accompanied by ship parades and the solemn oath of allegiance of sailors to the Motherland. The entire previous week, which is called “Morskaya”, is full of concerts, performances and other festive events.

On September 1, the center of cultural life in Bulgaria becomes the city of Sozopol, where Apollonia starts on this day. All 10 days of the international festival are accompanied by art exhibitions, performances by musicians of various genres, dance competitions and literary evenings.

National cuisine of Bulgaria

Bulgarians are known for their passion for a variety of meats, vegetables and herbs, and their favorite cooking methods include long-term boiling and stewing. You need to be prepared for the fact that traditional dishes of this cuisine are spicy and quite fatty. Those who want to get to know local culinary traditions better should definitely try:

• gyuvech – meat stewed with vegetables in a clay pot;
• meat or fish cooked on skara (Bulgarian grill);
• sach – fried assorted meat, vegetables or a combination of them;
• chorbu – rich, thick soups made from various ingredients.

The Bulgarian national fermented milk products deserve special attention - feta cheese (sirene) and, in fact, sour milk (kiselo mlyako). Brynza is added to almost all national dishes, especially often in salads, stewed or baked vegetables, meat and fish. Kiselo mlyako is a salad dressing, a base for sauces, or a drink on its own, a glass of which will come in handy more than ever after an eventful day.

Bulgaria is a country of vineyards, so you can taste local wine in any restaurant. Also, in almost any such establishment you can try rakia - fruit vodka based on apples, grapes, apricots or peaches, or mastic - aniseed vodka.

Money of the Republic of Bulgaria

The official monetary unit of the state is the Bulgarian lev (BNG), consisting of 100 stotinki - an analogue of our kopecks. Within the framework of the Monetary Council, the lev quotes are inextricably linked to the euro exchange rate (1 € = 1.95 BNG), which minimizes possible speculation at exchange offices. In mid-February 2016, 1 Bulgarian lev cost approximately 44 rubles, but before traveling to the country the exchange rate will have to be clarified. In addition to the lev, American dollars and euros are also often used in everyday life, but they are not accepted everywhere, so a sensible tourist should always have some national banknotes with him. Cashless payments are widespread only in large cities, which again indicates the need to always have cash with you.

It is best to exchange currency at the United Bank of Bulgaria and other official points, but in no case use the services of a money changer, as there is a very high probability of being deceived. Rubles are not accepted at all points, so the best option is to stock up on the required minimum of levs or euros in advance. At the same time, it is not worth exchanging too much money, because Bulgarian banks have a problem changing levs back to dollars; this can only be done with a limited amount when leaving the country, and at an unfavorable rate.

Paperwork

Arranging documents for visiting Bulgaria is not difficult and, in comparison with other EU countries, inexpensive. Free entry into the country is allowed to holders of multiple Schengen visas or those who have a national visa to Romania or Cyprus. If there are none, you will have to collect a simple package of papers and spend from 3 (urgent) to 7 (regular) days to obtain a national visa to Bulgaria. Until recently, self-processing of documents through the consulate in Moscow cost approximately 55 €, of which 35 € is a consular fee, about 20 € is a service fee, but from January 1, 2016, the amount of the consular fee has been reduced to 10 €. Children under 16 years of age receive a visa free of charge.

A detailed list of documents and the cost of their preparation can be found on the official website of the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow www.mfa.bg or by contacting the consulate by phone +7 499 143 62 30 (Monday-Friday from 15.00 to 17.00). You can also use the help of travel agencies when preparing entry documents.

Accommodation in Bulgaria

A wide selection of good cheap hotels has long been one of the main advantages of Bulgaria in the tourism sector. Bargain hunters won't have to look too far for a bargain, while those looking for a more comfortable stay won't be disappointed either, with first-class hotels in cities and beach resorts offering as many amenities as any other country in the world.

When planning a trip to Bulgaria or any other country, it is important to take care of accommodation in advance. You can try to rent a room or apartment directly from the owners yourself. But you should think about this in advance, at least a couple of months before your planned trip: in Bulgaria there is an incredible demand for housing, especially during the season. The choice of hotels is wide in almost all cities of the country: for every taste and wallet size.

Overall, it is one of the cheapest travel countries in Europe. A room for two in hotels in small resort towns such as Kranevo or Pomorie will cost an average of 30 leva per day (about 15 euros). Accommodation in hotels in more popular resorts depends on the number of stars, for example, a double room in 4-star hotels will cost about 200 leva per day. The price of a detached house on the seashore ranges from 60-80 leva. When looking for accommodation in Bulgaria, you can use the services of trusted travel companies or our website, this will help you avoid scammers and guarantee acceptable living conditions.

Camping in Bulgaria is not the best choice, since nowhere except the Black Sea coast there are real facilities for campers in this way. Contact the Bulgarian Tourist Office in Sofia (tel: 02-987-97-78) for more details. “Wild” camping is illegal.

Hostel

There are many good cheap youth hotels in Bulgaria with shared bedrooms for about 20 leva per night or even less. The best ones get busy during high season, so advance booking is recommended.

Transport

Public transport is represented by buses, trolleybuses, trams and the country's only metro line, located in Sofia. Transport does not operate around the clock, so the schedule must be checked immediately before traveling to Bulgaria. Travel documents are sold at bus stops, at newsstands or directly from the driver. It is important not to forget to validate your tickets, otherwise you may get caught by the inspector and then you will have to pay a fine of 1 lev.

If you have an international driver's license, you can rent a car. It will cost about 30-60 leva per day, but it is worth taking into account that the roads in the provincial towns of the country leave much to be desired.

Taxi

Bulgarian taxi drivers once had a reputation as real robbers. Now, thanks to legislation, all cars are equipped with meters, and drivers (at least in Sofia) are required to issue receipts. This does not mean that tourists are never scammed out of extra money; this happens sometimes. But if you keep a cool head and always use a taxi with the company name (“Yellow Taxi”, tel.: 02-911-19; “Euro Taxi”, tel.: 02-910-33; “Sofia Taxi”, tel.: 02- 974-47-47; “OK Supertrans”, tel.: 02-973-21-21 in Sofia), then the trips will be amazingly cheap. Don't expect drivers to speak English, but you can ask your hotel concierge or restaurant waiter to call a taxi for you.

The railway network is well developed, tickets are cheap and trains run on time, albeit rather slowly. Even express trains with optimistic names InterCity and Expres do not live up to expectations. The fastest of the five daily trains from Sofia to Varna takes eight and a half hours. If you want to travel by rail, it's best to do it at night in an inexpensive sleeping car (spalen). Buying tickets can be a labor-intensive process; don't expect help from the cashiers. It is best to buy tickets at the Wasteels office, to the left of the entrance to Sofia Station.

Bus and taxi

In Bulgaria, intercity bus service has been developed, which is indispensable in small mountain villages and towns remote from busy highways. Traveling by this type of transport will cost a tourist an average of 9 leva per 100 km. A convenient way to get around is by taxi, which in Bulgaria is easily recognized by the yellow color of the cars and the characteristic checkered design.

After spending an unforgettable vacation, you always want to please your loved ones with nice gifts and take something for yourself as a souvenir of a pleasant vacation. Fortunately, the choice of souvenirs in Bulgaria is very large.

When it comes to gifts for the fair half of humanity, things are as simple as shelling pears - be sure to purchase natural Bulgarian cosmetics based on rose extracts. All kinds of creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos and much more can be found not only in the vicinity of the Rose Valley, but throughout the country. Elegantly packaged, such gifts will please every woman.

Men will most likely appreciate souvenir alcohol: rakia, cognac or wine, infused according to the best traditional recipes, will allow you to touch the national spirit of this people.

Rose jam is a delicious souvenir from Bulgaria, sold in almost any grocery store. The characteristic pleasant taste will remind you of this hospitable country for a long time.

Sharena sol is a favorite seasoning of Bulgarians, which is salt mixed with spices. It goes well with any dish and has an unusual and aesthetic appearance.

Tablecloths, napkins, small rugs woven from the finest sheep wool and decorated with ethnic embroidery are an excellent gift that can add zest to the interior. But for such souvenirs, you will most likely have to go to small villages at the foot of the mountains.

Handmade wooden and ceramic dishes with ornate patterns will please any housewife, and thick-walled clay pots are suitable for preparing stewed meat and vegetables - perhaps even according to Bulgarian recipes.

Also in Bulgaria, at almost every step you can buy classic souvenirs: magnets, key rings, T-shirts, small figurines, etc. The only advice for tourists is to try not to put off purchasing gifts until the last day: at airports and train stations they are significantly overpriced, and the choice is limited.

The Bulgarian customs service is quite loyal, so there are no significant restrictions on the export of goods, except for the standard ban for all countries on the transport of weapons, prohibited narcotic or flammable substances, as well as items of historical value.

Cloth

Bulgarians have few preconceptions about clothing, but note that local women cover their heads when entering a church or cathedral, although foreigners are not required to do the same. If you are invited to a Bulgarian home, you must take off your shoes or at least offer to do so.

Bicycles for rent

Cycling is not popular in Bulgaria and there are almost no cyclists in the cities. In ski resorts such as Vitosha, Bansko, Pamporovo and Borovets, you can rent mountain bikes in large hotels for about 20 leva per day, leaving a credit card as a deposit. Large hotels on the Black Sea coast also rent bicycles.

Car rental

To see the best of Bulgaria, it is recommended to rent a car for one or two days, but this is relatively expensive: prices start from about 120 levs per day. However, gasoline is cheap. All major rental companies have branches throughout the country, including Varna and Sofia airports, and cars can be rented at most major hotels. Roads are generally in poor condition and night travel can be dangerous.

Another option is to rent a car with a driver. To do this, it is better to approach a taxi driver in a big city, ask if he is free, and then negotiate a price. You are unlikely to be refused, and you can find common ground for about 100 leva per day plus the cost of gasoline, food and overnight accommodation.

Driving

In Bulgaria, traffic is on the right, although in rural areas they turn a blind eye to such rules at best. If you bring a car to Bulgaria, you must have a driver's license and proof of international insurance coverage (green card).

Those who forgot to do this can buy insurance at the border. Your passport will be stamped confirming that you arrived by car. If you try to leave the country by any other means, you will have to explain what happened to the car.

Getting around big cities is no worse or better than most other countries, but outside the cities it's a different story. There are only two real motorways in Bulgaria: Sofia - Plovdiv (partially) and Sofia - Pravets, and both have tolls. Other roads between cities are mostly two or one lane. The roads are generally poorly signposted, so bring a detailed map or navigator. The road surface is uneven and not well lit, so be careful at night. As you drive through villages, beware of the occasional gypsy cart and unattended animals. The speed limit is 60 km/h in cities, 80 km/h on open roads and 120 km/h on motorways, although Bulgarians pay little attention to this.

Information for disabled people

Bulgaria is making huge strides towards accommodating travelers with disabilities, but mobility remains difficult. Sofia is ahead of the rest: there are simple ramps for wheelchairs in many public squares, museums and other attractions, as well as metro stations. There are many hotels on the Black Sea coast that can take care of disabled tourists. In mountain resorts and other cities, things are more complicated.

Health and medical care

Capital: Sofia.

Geography: The state, with a total area of ​​110.9 thousand sq. km, is located in the southeast of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders on Romania in the north, Turkey and Greece in the south, and Serbia and Macedonia in the west. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea.

Big cities: Sofia, Ruse, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna.

Time: It lags behind Moscow by 1 hour.

Natural and climatic conditions: About 1/3 of the country is occupied by mountains. In the center of the country is the Stara Planina mountain system (Balkan Mountains), dividing the territory of Bulgaria into two parts: the northern plain (Danube Plain) and the southern, more mountainous. In the southwest of the country there is the Rila-Rhodope mountain range: the Rila mountains (Mount Musala - 2925 m - the highest point of the Balkan Peninsula), Pirin and Rhodopes. The climate is temperate continental, in the south it is transitional to Mediterranean.

OK. 30% of Bulgaria's area is covered with forests, ch. arr. broad-leaved (beech, oak); pine, fir and spruce grow in the mountains. The natural conditions of Bulgaria create favorable conditions for the development of tourism and the resort industry.

Political system: According to the 1991 Constitution, it is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president, elected by direct vote. The highest legislative body is the unicameral People's Assembly. Executive power is exercised by the government headed by the prime minister - the leader of the party that collected the majority of votes in parliamentary elections.

Administrative division: 8 areas.

Population: 7.54 million people (2003). The majority of the population are Bulgarians (89%), there are also Turks, Gypsies, Greeks, Armenians, Russians, etc. Urban population - 71%. Population density 68.0 people/km2.

Language: Official Bulgarian, Russian, English, German are also used.

Religion: Orthodoxy, there are Sunni Muslims.

Economy: Bulgaria is an industrial-agrarian country. GNP per capita. $1,334 (1995). The extraction of coal, oil, and natural gas is developed. The leading industry is mechanical engineering. Traditional export goods are canned fruits and vegetables, tobacco, wine, essential oils (1st place in the world in the production of rose oil). An important role traditionally belongs to foreign tourism (over 8 million people per year). Large ski resorts - Borovets, Pamporovo, seaside resorts - Golden Sands, Albena, Sunny Beach, etc.

Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGL), equal to 100 stotinki. In circulation there are coins and banknotes in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 leva, as well as banknotes of 10, 20, 50 leva. Since July 1, 1997, the lev has been strictly “tied” to the euro in the ratio of 1 lev per euro.

Main attractions: The country is known throughout Europe for its picturesque landscapes, seaside resorts on the Black Sea coast, an abundance of historical monuments and colorful folk rituals.

Sofia, one of the most ancient cities in Europe, has many wonderful examples of church and historical architecture. Most city tours begin from the walls of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Alexandronevsky Lavra, 1882 - 1912), built in honor of the 200 thousand Russian soldiers who died in the struggle for the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish rule. This is the largest cathedral in Bulgaria (area - 2600 sq. m., height - 52 m., 12 gilded bells are installed on the cathedral bell tower, the largest of which weighs 11,758 kg.) and the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans. In the crypt of the cathedral there is a Museum of Icons, and the interior of the cathedral amazes with the richness of its architectural forms, majestic paintings, icons and mosaics. Behind the cathedral is the Foreign Art Gallery building with an extensive collection of European, African and Oriental art.

Across the square from the cathedral is the Church of St. Sophia (VI century), which gave its name to the whole city. During Turkish rule, minarets were added to the temple and for a long time it functioned as a mosque, until two earthquakes of the 20th century destroyed the minarets, after which the mosque was closed. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located near the walls of the church.

One of the most interesting sights of the capital is the Church of St. George, built of red brick on the site of a Roman rotunda - the oldest temple in Sofia. On the inside of the dome there are frescoes, the earliest of which date back to the 10th century, and on the outside there are remains of the streets of ancient Serdica (the Roman name of the city). Under the Rila Hotel, the ruins of a Roman residence with excellently preserved mosaics were discovered.

On the People's Assembly Square there is the majestic building of the National Assembly (1884) with an equestrian statue of the Russian Emperor Alexander II installed in front of it. Along Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard you can walk past the Russian Church of St. Nicholas (1913) and the Museum of Natural Sciences, to Batenberg Square, considered the center of Sofia. On the square there is the building of the former mausoleum of Georgiy Dimitrov, opposite which are the National Gallery of Art and the National Ethnographic Museum in the building of the former Royal Palace (1887). In the park east of the mausoleum there is the People's Theater named after. Ivan Vazov (1907) in the Baroque style. On the western side of the square, behind the building of the Bulgarian National Bank, lies the Buyuk-Jami Mosque (1496). In the area of ​​Largo Street there are the National Archaeological Museum, the Church of St. Peter of Samothrace (XIV century), the Bani Bashi Mosque (1576), the Sofia Synagogue (1909), an underground shopping center and market (1911).

The most beautiful boulevard in the city is Vitosha Boulevard, which runs from the Easter Church, past numerous underground shopping galleries, to the Square of the Palace of Culture with a monument to the 1300th anniversary of Bulgaria. The nearby building of the Palace of Justice (1936) houses the National Museum of History - one of the largest historical museums in the Balkans, famous for its collection of gold finds from the 4th century. BC e. from excavations at Panagyurishte. The museum also houses the only copy of the Bulgarian medieval chronicle - the "History" of John Skylitzes - the most important source of the history of the first Bulgarian Kingdom.

On Graf Ignatiev Street lies the Church of the Holy Seventh, rebuilt from the Black Mosque (1528). Also interesting are the Botanical Museum in the National Botanical Garden, the Zoological Museum in the Zoo, the National Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the History of Sofia, the city art gallery in the Central Park, the buildings of Sofia University. Kliment Ohridski and Sofia mineral baths, built on the site of Roman baths.

Boyana is a suburban neighborhood in the southwest of the city, adjacent to the foot of Vitosha (2290 m). In its upper part there is the small Boyana Church, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with magnificent wall paintings from the 13th century. Mount Vitosha itself is a traditional place for winter recreation; there are many mountain hotels, ski lifts, observation decks and a fairly developed recreation infrastructure.

119 km. to the south of the capital lies the famous Rila Monastery (10th century) - one of the spiritual centers of the country. On its territory there are such unique structures as a five-story tower (1335) with the Church of the Transfiguration, church gates (XIV century, now kept in the historical museum of the monastery), a monastery library with 16,000 volumes, Khrel's Tower, the five-domed Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary , the original “magernitsa” - a monastery refectory, etc. Not far from Sofia, in the city of Pernik, there are the ruins of a Byzantine fortress, and in Bankya (17 km west of the capital) - the best of the Bulgarian thermal resorts with odes of a “universal” composition. In the valley of the Struma River (76 km southeast of Sofia) there is the Zemen Monastery (13th century) with the unique Church of St. John the Evangelist, famous for its beautiful paintings.

The city-reserve of Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1393), is definitely worth a visit to see the Tsar's Palace, the picturesque Patriarchal and Baldwin towers in the Tsarevets fortress on the hill of the same name, near which the "Sound and Light" show is regularly held ", telling about the history of the city. Of interest are the picturesque quarter of Varusha, the monastery of St. Peter and Paul (XIII century) and Kapinovsky, as well as the churches of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica (XI century, the oldest in the city) and St. Forty Great Martyrs (1230). The city is home to the University. Cyril and Methodius is the second largest in the country, as well as excellent museums of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and the Renaissance Museum, numerous art galleries and many colorful houses in the national style.

In the vicinity of the city lie the picturesque spurs of the Stara Planina ("ancient mountain") with many caves and excellent conditions for rock climbing and trekking. At the top of the 1306-meter Shipka Pass there is a monument to Russian troops and Bulgarian volunteers, who became famous during the heroic defense of the pass from Turkish troops in August 1887. In Shipka itself (13 km from the pass) there is a unique church (1896 - 1902), whose domes are cast from cartridges collected on the battlefield near the pass (the largest bell weighs 12 tons). The remains of Russian soldiers are buried in the church crypt, and on 34 marble slabs inside the temple the names of Russian and Bulgarian soldiers who fell at Shipka and near Kazanlak are carved.

7 km. north of Veliko Tarnovo is the carefully restored Transfiguration Monastery (14th century) with wonderful frescoes by Zograf and icons by the master Dospevski (1864). On the other side of the river gorge. Yantra lies the Holy Trinity Monastery (1847), and 12 km. south of Veliko Tarnovo there is a unique monument of medieval architecture - the Kilifarevo Monastery (1348 - 1350, restored in 1718) with the beautiful Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (restored and rebuilt in 1840), the chapels of St. Ivan Rilski and St. Theodosius of Tarnovsky, which are decorated with icons of the best representatives of the Trevno school of painting.

3 km. To the northeast of Veliko Tarnovo lies the ancient village of Arbanasi, famous for its colorful stone houses of the 16th - 17th centuries, as well as the churches of the Nativity of Christ and the Archangel (17th century), considered monuments of national culture. And 30 km. From the city there is a balneological complex "Voneshcha Voda" with its own sources of healing mineral water.

Gabrovo is the world “capital of laughter” and a city interesting for its traditions, 49 km away. from Veliko Tarnovo. In Etyre (9 km from Gabrovo) there is an open-air ethnographic museum where you can get acquainted with traditional folk crafts, unique folk cuisine and rituals.

Shumen is a large city lying between Varna and Veliko Tarnovo and one of the centers of the Bulgarian Middle Ages. Here you should definitely visit the famous brewery, the Shumen fortress (XII - XIV centuries, now a museum), the regional Historical Museum, as well as the Tombul Mosque (1744), considered the largest and most beautiful in Bulgaria, behind which is the Turkish covered market .

20 km. southwest of Shumen lies Preslav (821) - the former capital of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. The most famous building of ancient Veliko Preslav was the round Golden Church (908, recently restored), interesting are the Archaeological Museum, the ruins of the fortress walls of the citadel, the royal palace and the monasteries of the city.

Madara National Historic Site is 18 km away. east of Shumen. The city is famous for its caves, as well as the 25-meter rock relief “Madara Horseman” (8th century), a Roman villa and the walls of a medieval fortress on top of a cliff. In Pliska (681), the restored Eastern Gate (9th century), the fortress of the Great Palace, the Palace Church, the Inner City and the ruins of the huge three-nave Great Basilica (865) are interesting.

In Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, be sure to see the Trimontium (“three hills”, old town) - the Roman forum, a theater with 3 thousand seats and the Hissar Kapija gate (2nd century AD), as well as the Dzhumaya mosque ( XV century) and Imaret (1445), the Cathedral of Constantine and Helen (1832) with a beautiful gallery of icons, the ruins of the Thracian city of Eumolpias (II century BC), the amphitheater of Philip II of Macedon, as well as unique churches - St. Nedelya, St. Dimitar and St. Marina (1854). The Plovdiv Archaeological Museum is considered one of the best in the country; the Ethnographic Museum in the Koyumdzhoglu House with an excellent collection of national costumes, the art gallery in the Baklanov House and the National Revival Museum are also good.

30 km. from Plovdiv is the Bachkovo Monastery (Bachkovo Manastir, 1083) with the beautiful churches of the Archangel Michael (XII century), the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1604) and the chapel of St. Nicholas, the interior of which was painted by the famous Zachary Zograf.

To the northwest of Plovdiv lies the resort area of ​​Hisarya (Isarya, Roman Augusta), known for the healing properties of its mineral springs (+27 - 51 C) since the times of ancient Rome. Now there is a large balneological complex with numerous baths and fountains with mineral water. Also notable are the ruins of Roman buildings and the Turkish fortress of Hissar.

In the southwestern part of the Pirin Mountains there is “the smallest city in the country” - Melnik, famous for its wine cellars, the Melnik Pyramids rocks, the Rozhen Monastery and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Valuable monuments of the Rozhen Monastery (XII - XIII centuries) are the Church of the Holy Mother of God, paintings on the southern wall (1661), as well as unique carved wooden iconostases and lecterns.

Bansko is a cute little town, the administrative center of the Pirin region. The town is known for its well-preserved Bulgarian Revival architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries. In the center is an ancient church, with a very natural stork’s nest and ancient bells. Narrow cobbled streets, traditional peasant houses made of natural stone. Many small, family-run restaurants - "mekhina". Eh...nothing compares to the wonderful Bulgarian mekhina, its good food, lovely owners and...amazingly low prices!

In Bansko there are a great variety of family pensions and hotels of various levels and classes. This is not the place for seekers of luxury and stardom, but for true connoisseurs of the beauty of this region, comfort, warmth and peace, I can only say - Good luck getting to Bansko!

The town is surrounded on all sides by powerful mountains topped with snow caps. The landscapes are amazing!

Arbanasi, Bozhentsi, Etar, Zheravna, Koprivshtitsa, Kotel, Melnik, Nessebar, Sozopol, Tryavna and Shiroko-Lyka are considered museum cities of world importance. After restoration, a unique monument of ancient Roman architecture was opened to visitors - the Sostra fortress in the ancient city of Troyan, located in the central part of Bulgaria on the banks of the White Osam River. Also interesting here is one of the main attractions of the country - the Troyan Monastery (XVI century), and ceramic workshops (they also brew rakia here, one of the best in the country).

Varna is one of the oldest cities in Europe and the third most populous city in Bulgaria. Magnificent beaches, prestigious tourist complexes, a modern international airport, the largest seaport in the country, a yacht club and warm mineral springs of the Varna region have turned the city into the summer capital of the country.

Founded back in 585 BC. e. by the Greeks under the name Odessos, the city is famous, first of all, for two complexes of Roman baths - those lying on Khan Krum Street date back to the 2nd - 3rd centuries, and the baths in the port area are a historical monument of the 4th century. Well-preserved stone walls, spacious halls, a palaestra with an area of ​​840 square meters. m. and a unique heating system, which makes these buildings (by the way, the third largest in Europe) worthy of special attention. Behind the thermal baths in the port area there is the beautiful Church of St. Anastasia (1602), and to the southwest, in the area of ​​the Seaside Gardens (Marine Park) with exotic plants, lie the Maritime Museum, one of the symbols of the city - the “Bridge of Wishes”, and the Zoo. , Terrarium, Aquarium (1911) and the only Dolphinarium on the Balkan Peninsula (1984). The Marine Park itself, stretching for 8 km and having an excellent layout with many shady alleys, is one of the most charming places in the city.

The center of Varna is the Cathedral of the Holy Dormition of the Virgin Mary (Katedrala, 1880 - 1910), famous for its frescoes and unique wood carvings in the design of the patriarchal throne and iconostasis. The Museum of History and Art (Archaeological) is located on an area of ​​2000 square meters. m. in the beautiful building of the former Maiden Gymnasium, and is considered the largest museum in the city. Its unique exhibition includes more than 55 thousand exhibits, from the early Paleolithic era to the late Middle Ages, including a unique gold collection from the 5th - 6th millennia BC. e.

Lying on a small rocky peninsula north of Pomorie and Burgas, the city-museum of Nessebar (Nessebar, ancient Messembria) is one of the oldest cities in Europe, under the auspices of UNESCO. There are many small churches, among which the most attractive are the Church of St. Stephen (11th century) and the Church of the Holy Virgin, famous for its miraculous icon, as well as a charming old mill, narrow cobblestone streets, a gentle sea, quaint white cliffs and wide sandy beaches , bordered by sand dunes.

35 km. south of Burgas, on a small picturesque peninsula, lies the most ancient Greek colony on the shores of the Black Sea - Sozopol (Apollonia, 610 BC). The old and new (Harmanit) parts of the city are separated by a green park, and traditional wooden houses surrounded by gardens with bay windows and wooden stairs on a limestone foundation are the hallmark of the resort. Two sandy beaches in the east provide excellent conditions for seaside recreation, and a huge variety of restaurants, taverns, cafes, bars and discos, a small archaeological museum with a rich collection of Greek vases, original architecture of buildings, picturesque churches - St. Virgin Mary, St. Cyril and Methodius , St. Zosima, the tiny Church of the Virgin Mary and the local Art Gallery, allow you to usefully spend your holiday. The upper reaches of the Ropotamo River flowing through Sozopol have been declared a natural reserve.

Wineries, excellent products and regular wine exhibitions have made Bulgaria one of the centers of “wine” tourism.

Close attention in Bulgaria is paid to the development of health tourism, which is facilitated by the presence of over 2 thousand mineral water sources in the country. One of the traditional balneological resorts of the country is Velingrad, which has on its territory more than 80 sources of mineral water, which can be grouped into four categories, depending on their temperature and chemical composition. The temperature of the local water varies from +26 C to +95 C, and the chemical composition is so diverse that, as they say here, almost all diseases can be treated with water, just by changing the sources.

Historical sketch: The first people appeared here more than 500 thousand years ago. In 4 thousand BC. e. settlements of the ancient Aryans arose. One of their tribes, the Thracians, in the 5th century. BC e. created their own state here - Thrace. Thrace, located at the junction of modern Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, was part of the ancient Greek states as a province, and in the 1st-4th centuries. - Roman Empire. The legendary gladiator Spartacus was a Thracian. In the 7th century. The Slavs who came from across the Danube assimilated the local population and entered into an alliance with a small group of proto-Bulgarians, forming the First Bulgarian Kingdom in 680. At the turn of the 9th-10th centuries. it owned almost the entire Balkan Peninsula. Christianity was introduced in 865. But already in the middle of the 10th century. The Bulgarian-Slavic state was conquered by Byzantium. As a result of the uprising raised by the brothers Peter and Asen, the country regained its independence. The Second Bulgarian Kingdom collapsed at the end. 14th century, conquered by the Turks. The Muslim yoke lasted for almost 500 years and was destroyed after Turkey's defeat in the war with Russia (1877-78). In 1908, the independent Third Bulgarian Kingdom arose. In the First World War, Bulgaria became an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary. During World War II, Bulgaria sided with Germany (in March 1941 it officially joined the Axis countries). After defeat in World War II, Bulgaria fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR, and power passed to the communists. From the beginning 1990s the construction of a democratic society began. Bulgaria became the first post-communist country where the former ruling dynasty returned to power (albeit through democratic means). In 2001, Simeon of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, leader of the Monarchist Party, won the parliamentary elections. But the positions of the Socialist Party (former communists) are also strong. Bulgaria is a candidate for NATO and the EU.

Sofia- one of the most beautiful European capitals. Sofia is in second place in the list of “accessibility” of European cities. A tourist in Sofia can relax peacefully per day, spending only 45 euros. The capital is located in the central part of the country.

From Sofia it is a stone's throw to Veliko Tarnovo and the famous Valley of Roses. Also near Sofia there is another famous natural attraction - Mount Vitosha.

Tired of the bustle of the capital, you can go for a walk in the mountains, visit Valley of Roses or go .

A little history

The first settlers came here in the 8th century BC. It was the Thracians who built a fairly large religious center with several sanctuaries. In the 1st century AD, the city was captured by the Romans, who gave it the name Serdica. From the 1st to the 4th centuries, Serdica was the capital of the Roman province of Thrace.

The Byzantine Emperor Constantine I the Great said: “Serdica is my Rome.” The emperor really wanted to move the capital to Serdica, but strategy still prevailed over feelings. Rome had an important geographical location: from its hills it was more convenient and easier to manage the empire. Therefore, Serdica remained Constantine’s favorite city only in his heart.

During the period of the Great Migration of Peoples (5th century), the city fell into decay. Emperor Justinian decided to restore Serdica in the middle of the 6th century.

At the beginning of the 9th century, the city, which became part of the Bulgarian kingdom, was renamed Sredets. From the 14th to the 19th centuries, the city, like the entire territory of modern Bulgaria, was under the yoke of the Ottomans.

Sofia became the capital of Bulgaria in 1879, immediately after the end of the Russo-Turkish War. At that time, the city was plundered and abandoned, but the Bulgarians quickly began to restore and rebuild it. Until now, Sofia is the most dynamically developing city among others located on the Balkan Peninsula.

Attractions

Church of Light Nedelya built on the site of a small church from the 10th century. For Christians around the world, this church is one of the symbols of faith

The church was destroyed and rebuilt several times, so the interior looks quite modern. The marble floors were laid in the mid-1990s and the wall paintings were done in the 1970s.

Mineral baths were built in 1913 on the site of several mineral springs. The building was built in the Byzantine church style. It is crowned with three domes.

The façade is decorated with bright Art Nouveau tiles. The baths are currently under reconstruction.

Banya-Bashi Mosque- the only functioning mosque in Sofia that remains from the times of the Ottoman Empire.

It is believed that the mosque was built in 1576 according to the design of the famous Turkish architect Sinan, who built the Suleiman Mosque in Istanbul.

On two floors of the central indoor market there are dozens of shops and stalls selling fresh vegetables and fruits, sweets, souvenirs, jewelry, traditional Bulgarian clothes and shoes.

Sofia Synagogue built in Moorish style. At the same time, it can accommodate up to 1,300 thousand believers.

The synagogue was built at the beginning of the 20th century by the Austrian architect Friedrich Grünanger. Visitors are allowed inside on all days except religious holidays.

IN city ​​archaeological museum the country's best collections of Thracian and Roman treasures are presented. Among the most famous exhibits are a golden funeral mask from Shipka, a Macedonian helmet, and a golden laurel wreath.

Russian church known above all for its magnificent frescoes. The frescoes were copied in the 17th century from the walls of churches and cathedrals in Yaroslavl and Moscow.

The church houses a shrine revered by Bulgarians - the crypt of Archbishop Seraphim.

Construction Temple-monument to Alexander Nevsky took place in several stages from 1882 to 1924. The temple is made in the neo-Byzantine style; it is crowned with several domes of various shapes and diameters.

Where to eat

Central Bulgaria is famous for its aromatic fruits and tasty vegetables. Melons, peaches and tomatoes grown on the plains are considered the best in Europe. Famous vineyards are also located not far from the capital.

Local cuisine is based on vegetables, fruits and herbs. The most famous Bulgarian dish is perfectly prepared here - Shopska Salata

And also stewed vegetables - gyuvech, Ovcharska salad(shepherd's salad), stuffed peppers.

Before and after- a cafe located in the city center and decorated in art nouveau style. They serve excellent coffee, as well as desserts, cakes and ice cream. In the evenings I dance tango in a cafe.

The cost of a three-course dinner is 20 euros.

Pri Yafata-restaurant of traditional Bulgarian cuisine. Its walls are painted with homespun rugs and folk embroidery, and the menu contains only Bulgarian dishes.

The extensive menu is complemented by a wine list that includes not only wines from all over the country, but also fruity rakia.

At the restaurant Olive's serves burgers, salads, pasta, pizza, as well as traditional Bulgarian dishes.

You can have a quick lunch at the restaurant and then go on a walk around the city.

The cost of a three-course dinner is 30 euros.

Where to stay

In Sofia, tourists will find many hotels, inns and hostels to suit every taste. If you wish, you can rent a guest room or stay in a house in the suburbs of the capital.

Niky- a small and cozy hotel located in the very center of the city.

Some rooms have living rooms and kitchens, making them feel more like apartments than hotel rooms. At the entrance to the hotel there is a beautiful garden with a grill restaurant.

The cost for a double room per night is 50 euros.

Located next to the city garden Grand Hotel Sofia- a luxurious, modern and very expensive hotel.

The hotel has a health center, a fitness center, and cosmetology and massage rooms.

The cost for a double room per night is more than 150 euros.

Scotty's boutique hotel is located in the historical district of the Bulgarian capital. Nearby are a synagogue, a mosque and an indoor market.

Each room, furnished in a modern style, has a minibar, bathroom, and TV. Near the hotel there are many cafes, restaurants and bars. Breakfast is not provided.

The cost of a double room per night is 75 euros.

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Republic of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. In the north it borders with Romania, in the west - with Serbia and Macedonia, in the south - with Greece and Turkey. In the east it is washed by the Black Sea.

The country was named after the ethnonym of the people - Bulgarians.

Capital

Square

Population

8210 thousand people

Administrative division

Consists of 8 areas that include communities. The city of Sofia also has the status of a region.

Form of government

Parliamentary republic.

Head of State

President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Supreme legislative body

Unicameral People's Assembly.

Plovdiv, Varna, Rousse, Burgas.

Official language

Bulgarian.

Religion

85% are Orthodox, 13% are Muslim.

Ethnic composition

87% are Bulgarians, 9% are Turks, 2.5% are Gypsies, 2.5% are Macedonians.

Currency

Lev = 100 stotinki.

Climate

Continental, transitional to Mediterranean. The average annual temperature is + 13°C. The air temperature in January reaches zero. The average temperature of the warmest month - July - in lowland areas is from + 23 °C to + 25 °C. Precipitation in the lowlands amounts to 500-600 mm per year, in the mountains - 1000-1200 mm per year. The entire country from west to east is crossed by the Balkan Mountains, where vertical climatic zones are clearly visible. The highest point is Mount Musala (2925 m).

Flora

Forests occupy up to 30% of the territory of Bulgaria. Here you can find oak, hornbeam, beech, elm, ash, pine, spruce, and fir.

Fauna

The forests are inhabited by deer, fallow deer, roe deer, chamois, and wild boar; in the mountains - wolves, foxes, hare, ferrets, badgers, and gophers. A large number of birds. Reptiles are common in the south of the country. In the Black Sea they catch mackerel and flounder, in the Danube - stellate sturgeon, pike perch, and carp.
Rivers and lakes. Rivers Danube, Iskar, Maritsa.

Attractions

Monument to the Russian-Bulgarian brotherhood in arms on the Shipka pass, basilica in Nessebar, round church in Preslav, large basilica in Pliska, churches of Peter and Paul in Veliko Tarnovo - a city-reserve, monastery of the 10th century. in Rila, monastery, mosque and minaret in Plovdiv, St. George's Cathedral, St. Sophia Cathedral, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of the 19th century, erected in honor of Russian soldiers who gave their lives for liberation from the Turkish yoke, Jamia Mosque, Boyana Church, Archaeological Museum .

Useful information for tourists

In the warm season, in addition to windsurfing, guests can enjoy water skiing and sailing, scuba diving and catamarans, rowing and all kinds of regattas. In spring and autumn, some luxury hotels have heated seawater pools. Long water excursions along the shores of Golden Sands have a magical appeal, especially for children.
Speed ​​limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside and 120 km/h on highways.

The Republic of Bulgaria is located in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula.

Bulgaria is bordered to the south by Greece and Turkey, to the west by Serbia and Macedonia and to the north by Romania. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea.

State symbols

Flag- a rectangular panel consisting of three horizontal equal-sized stripes: the top – white, the middle – green and the bottom – red. The first of them represents freedom and peace, the second – forests and agriculture, the third – the blood shed in the struggle for state independence.

Coat of arms- a scarlet shield crowned with the historical crown of Bulgaria. In the shield is a rearing crowned golden lion. The shield is held by two golden crowned lions. Under the shield are oak branches and a ribbon with the motto “Unity is right silat” (“Unity gives strength”).
It is generally accepted that the three lions represent the three historical lands of Bulgaria: Moesia, Thrace and Macedonia. The current coat of arms of Bulgaria was adopted by the national assembly in 1997. This is a slightly modified version of the coat of arms used in 1927-1946. This coat of arms was based on the personal coat of arms of the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand I.

Brief characteristics of the modern Republic of Bulgaria

Form of government- parliamentary republic.
Head of State– President, elected for 5 years.
Supreme body of legislative power- unicameral People's Assembly.
Head of the government- Prime Minister. Elected and dismissed by the People's Assembly.
Capital- Sofia.
Largest cities– Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Dobrich, Sliven, Shumen.
Religion- free. The traditional religion is Orthodoxy, professed by 75.96% of the population.
Territory– 110,993.6 km².
Population– 7,364,570 people. Bulgarians make up 84.8% of the population, Turks – 8.8%, Roma – 4.9%, Russians – 0.15%.
Official language– Bulgarian.
Economy– a market, industrial country with developed agriculture.
Agriculture. Main products: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wool, wine, wheat, barley, sunflower, sugar beets.
Climate– continental and Mediterranean.
Administrative division e – is divided into 28 regions, which are subdivided into 264 communities.
Education– school education is regulated by the “Law on Public Education”, divided into degrees:
basic education: primary education - from 1st to 4th grade; pre-gymnasium education - from 5th to 8th grade.
Secondary education: gymnasium education - from 9 to 12 grades.
Secondary education is considered completed after successful completion of the 12th grade and successful passing of the required exams. School education is free.
Higher education regulated by the Higher Education Law.
Higher schools in Bulgaria can be public or private. Types of higher educational institutions in Bulgaria: universities (there are 47 universities in the country), specialized higher schools, colleges.
Currency– Bulgarian Lev.
Sport– The most popular sport is football. Bulgaria has traditionally high achievements in weightlifting and athletics, wrestling, boxing, volleyball, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, shooting and rowing.

Tourism in Bulgaria

The country is promising in terms of tourism; there are many natural and cultural attractions. A popular destination for beach tourism is the Black Sea coast. The most popular Black Sea resorts: Albena, Golden Sands, Riviera, St. Constantine and Helena, Obzor, Sunny Beach, Sozopol, Elenite, St. Vlas.

sunny Beach

The largest seaside resort in eastern Bulgaria. Located near a bay in the Black Sea with a beach 10 km long and up to 100 m wide in the central part, covered with fine yellow sand. Located between the cities of Varna and Burgas, it is part of the city Nessebar, the old part of which is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria (1983)

City of Nessebar– one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is the successor to the ancient Thracian settlement called Mesembria, which existed from the beginning of the 1st century. BC e. WITH 510 BC e. it was turned into a Greek colony.
From antiquity to the present day, ruins of the fortress wall, towers, gates, and reliefs remain. Intensive archaeological research is taking place in the old part of the city. During excavations, the ruins of a church were discovered IX century. n. e., as well as the remains of Byzantine baths.

Ski resorts in Bulgaria

The ski season starts here in December and lasts until February.

Bansko

The highest peak in the area is Mount Vihren (2915 m). Bansko is known as one of the best Bulgarian ski resorts. Stable snow cover lies here from December to April, its thickness is about 2 m. All ski slopes are located at altitudes from 1100 to 2500 m. Their total length is 65 km, the longest slope is 2.6 km long.
There is an 8-seater gondola lift in Bansko. There are opportunities for off-piste skiing, a park for snowboarders with 2 tracks with a total length of 600 m.
In addition to skiing, Bansko is known for its historical attractions. To the south of the city is the Pirin National Nature Reserve. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park covers an area of ​​27,400 hectares, most of it is covered with pine and spruce forests, and at the foot of the highest peak Vihren there are more than 180 lakes, mostly of glacial origin. In the vicinity of Bansko, the remains of ancient fortresses have been discovered in Staroto Gradište, a cemetery site in the town of Dobrokjovitsa, which dates back to the 2nd century BC, as well as the medieval settlements of the Holy Trinity. Bansko itself is interesting Holy Trinity Church. It was built in 1835 The church contains paintings, frescoes and icons, and its walls are decorated with paintings and wood carvings.

Borovets

A popular Bulgarian ski resort, located in the suburbs of Sofia, on the northern slopes of Mount Rila, at an altitude of 1350 m. The longest route is 5,789 m. Two ski jumps.

Pamporovo

Ski resort. Situated among a magnificent pine forest, it is a popular holiday destination in the summer and for skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

Natural attractions of Bulgaria

Srebarna Nature Reserve

The reserve includes Lake Srebarna and its surroundings; this area lies on the main migratory route of migratory birds between Europe and Africa, called “Via Pontica”. The reserve was established in 1948., covers an area of ​​600 hectares, another 540 hectares are a buffer zone. Srebarna- a large lake formed in a wide karst depression, with a depth of 1 to 3 m.
Almost 100 species of birds nest in the reserve, some of them are considered endangered. Approximately 80 species of birds come to the lake for the winter. Among the most notable birds are Dalmatian pelican, great white, red and black herons, ibis, and spoonbill. The lake is home to 6 species of fish and 35 species of amphibians.

Chuprene Nature Reserve

One of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria (area 1439.2 hectares). The reserve was formed February 9, 1973, for the protection of the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria and as an ornithological reserve to preserve the only natural population of capercaillie in Bulgaria. There are a large number of rivers on the territory of the reserve, originating on the nearby mountain slopes.
The reserve presents a wide variety of fauna: amphibians (11 species): fire salamander, Greek long-legged frog, common toad, etc.; reptiles (15 species): grass snake, viper, copperhead, etc.; mammals (53 species): fox, wolf, stone marten, pine marten, mink, forest cat, squirrel, 14 species of bats, etc.; birds (170 species): capercaillie, black vulture, owl, golden eagle, woodpecker, thrush, hawk, kestrel, lark, quail, wren and others. Chuprene is the only Bulgarian reserve where wolves live permanently.

Seven Rila Lakes

A group of lakes of glacial origin located in the northwestern Rila Mountains. The lakes are located between 2100 and 2500 m above sea level.
Each lake has its name associated with its most characteristic feature. The highest of them is called “Tear” due to its clear waters. The next highest lake is called "The Eye" because of its almost perfectly oval shape, etc. The lakes are located on top of each other and are connected by small streams that form tiny waterfalls and cascades.

Yantra (river)

A special feature of the river is the numerous gorges it forms.

Valley of Roses

Region in Bulgaria, located south of the Balkan Mountains. Geologically it consists of two river valleys: Stryama in the west and Tundji in the east.
The valley is famous for its roses, which have been grown there for centuries for industrial purposes: 85% of the world's rose oil is produced here. Rose oil production center – Kazanlak, other cities: Karlovo, Sopot, Kalofera and Pavel Banya. Festivals celebrating roses and rose oil are held annually.
The collection season lasts from May to June. During this period, the valley emits a pleasant aroma and is covered with colorful flowers. The collection process is traditionally feminine and requires great dexterity and patience. The flowers are carefully cut out one at a time, placed in willow baskets and sent to factories.

Belogradchik rocks

They are a group of strangely shaped sandstone and conglomerate (individual fragments) of rocks located on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, near the city of Belogradchik. The rocks vary in color, some reach up to 200 m in height. Many breeds have bizarre shapes and are associated with interesting legends.

Shipka

A picturesque mountain pass through the Balkan Mountains.
During the Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878 Shipka was a battle arena where Russian soldiers, supported by Bulgarian militias, fought against the Ottoman Empire.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria

Boyana Church

Medieval church. Located 8 km from Sofia, in the village of Boyana at the foot of the Vitosha Mountains.
IN X century In the village of Boyana, the first small church was built, dedicated to Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Panteleimon. At first XIII century. a new two-story church, decorated with frescoes, was added to this church.

Madara Rider

An archaeological site, a relief image of a horseman, carved on a sheer rock at an altitude of 23 m. Located in the north-eastern part of Bulgaria, near the village of Madara.
The monument is dated approximately 710 n. e. and was created during the reign of the Bulgar Khan Tervel. According to one version, there is an image of the khan himself on the rock. According to another version, the rock relief was created by the ancient Thracians and depicts a Thracian god. There is a third version: an image of Svyatovit (Slavic god) was carved on the rock around the end of the 6th century AD. e.

Cave churches in Ivanovo

A complex of churches, chapels and cells carved into the rocks. Located 21 km south of the city of Ruse near the village of Ivanovo at an altitude of 32 m above the canyon of the Rusensky Lom river. The complex began to be inhabited by monks from XIII century. During the heyday of the monastery, there were 40 churches and chapels and about 300 monastic cells. After the 17th century the monastery became uninhabited, most of its buildings fell into disrepair.

Thracian tomb in Kazanlak

Part of the ancient necropolis near the city of Kazanlak. The tomb was created at the end IV-early III century. BC e. for the Thracian ruler Roigos. The walls are lined with marble slabs and decorated with frescoes. The paintings telling about the life of the Thracians and their military victories were created by the artist Kozamakis, who used 4 colors in his work: black, red, yellow and white. The subjects of the frescoes are related to the reign of the person for whom the tomb was built.
The tomb of the Thracian ruler was found by a soldier in 1944 during the construction of a trench in the northeastern part of the city of Kazanlak.
Today, access to the tomb is limited to ensure the preservation of the frescoes. An exact copy has been created for tourists.

Pirin National Park

The park was formed in 1962 called Vihren National Park with the aim of preserving forests in the highest parts of Pirin. The park occupied an area of ​​62 km², which is one-sixth of the modern area of ​​the park. IN 1974 it was renamed Pirin National Park and its territory was expanded.
About 1,300 species of higher plants, about 300 species of mosses and a large number of algae grow in the park. In Pirin there are 18 local endemic species, 15 Bulgarian and many Balkan endemic species, many rare and endangered species grow, including edelweiss, the symbol of Pirin.

Edelweiss

The park is home to about 2,090 species and subspecies of invertebrates.

Rila Monastery

Monastery of the Saint John of Rylsky– the largest stauropegic monastery of the Bulgarian Church. According to legend, it was founded in 30s of the 10th century. Venerable John of Rila (876-946), whose name he bears since the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Peter I (927-968). Saint John lived in a cave not far from the current monastery, while the monastery itself was built by his disciples who came to the mountains to continue their studies.

Thracian tomb in Sveshtari

Located 2.5 km southwest of the village of Sveshtari in the northeastern part of Bulgaria.
Discovered in 1982 during excavations of the ancient settlement. Dated III century BC. It was presumably built for the Thracian ruler of the Getae tribe and his wife.

Other attractions in Bulgaria

Bachkovo Monastery

Monastery of the Mother of God. One of the largest and oldest Orthodox monasteries in Europe. The monastery is known and valued for its unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by a common faith. The monastery was founded in 1083 Although the monastery survived the Turkish invasion of Bulgarian land, it was looted and destroyed, but restored at the end of the 15th century. The refectory, whose paintings by an anonymous artist are of significant artistic value, was reconstructed in 1601, and the Church of Mary in 1604, they have survived to this day.

National Gallery of Art

Located in a former royal palace built in 1880. The art gallery was founded in 1892. It contains more than 50,000 pieces of Bulgarian art.

Evksinograd

Ex at the end XIX century Bulgarian summer royal palace and park on the Black Sea coast, 8 km north of the city of Varna. Currently it is a summer government and presidential residence. Since 2007 it has also been home to the annual opera festival Operosa.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia

Bulgarian Orthodox Cathedral. Built in the neo-Byzantine style, it is the Cathedral of the Bulgarian Patriarch and one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of the symbols of Sofia and the first tourist attraction. It is the second largest cathedral on the Balkan Peninsula after the Cathedral of St. Sava in Belgrade. Basically, the construction of the cathedral was completed in 1912. It was created in honor of the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, as a result of which Bulgaria was liberated from Ottoman rule.

Kaliakra

A long and narrow cape in the region of the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast, located 12 km east of Kavarna. The coast is steep, with steep cliffs towards the sea.
Kaliakra is a nature reserve where you can observe dolphins, cormorants and pinnipeds. It is located on Via Pontica, one of the main bird migration routes from Africa to Eastern and Northern Europe. In spring and autumn you can see many rare migratory birds here.
Here are also the remains of the fortress walls, water supply, baths and the residence of the despot Dobrotitsa.

Troyan Monastery

The Monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary or, as it is more often called, the Troyan Monastery is the third largest monastery in Bulgaria. Located in the northern part of the country, in the Balkan Mountains, founded no later than at the end XVI century

Ledenika

It is a cave in the northwestern part of the Balkan Mountains, 16 km from the Bulgarian city of Vratsa, the entrance to which is 830 m above sea level. It surprises with an abundance of galleries and impressive karst formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, dating back a thousand years. The cave is about 300 m long and consists of ten separate halls. The largest of them is a concert one. The path to him goes through the passage of sinners. Only those whose hearts are pure can pass through it. Previously, the cave was filled with water, but now only a small lake remains here - the Lake of Wishes. The legend says: if you dip your hand into the icy water of the lake and make a wish, it will come true.

Chernigrad

The top of Mount Vitosha in Bulgaria. Height up to 2290 m. There is a weather station based in 1935 A very popular place among tourists.

Broken stones

Several groups of natural rock formations with a total area of ​​7 km. These are mainly stone columns from 5 to 7 m in height. The pillars do not have a solid foundation and appear to be stuck in the surrounding sand.
There are several theories about the origin of this phenomenon: organic or mineral. Dynamic reconstruction of the origin of these structures, fluid migration processes and possible microbial interferences during carbonate precipitation are under investigation by scientists from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

Nativity Monastery

It is the largest monastery in southwestern Bulgaria. This is one of the few medieval Bulgarian monasteries.
The monastery church was built before XV century. and painted in 1597 g., some frescoes have been preserved. The monastery was devastated by fire between 1662 and 1674, the library was destroyed, and most of the buildings were seriously damaged. The monastery was restored over the next century with financial assistance from wealthy Bulgarians from all over the country. Reconstruction began in 1715 and was completely completed in 1732

Panorama of Plevna

Depicts the events of the Russian-Turkish War 1877-78., in particular, the five-month siege of Plevna, which made the city world famous and contributed to the liberation of Bulgaria after five centuries of Ottoman rule. More than 35,000 soldiers died here.

The panorama was created by 13 Russian and Bulgarian artists and was officially presented on December 10 1977. The panorama expanded the already existing Skobelev Park, which is located on the site where three of the four major battles that led to the liberation of Bulgaria took place.

Russian Church in Sofia

Officially known as the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, it is a Russian Orthodox church in the center of Sofia, located on Tsar Liberator Boulevard.
Construction began in 1907., and the church was consecrated in 1914

Monument to the Tsar Liberator

It was erected in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. The foundation stone was laid on April 23 1901. in the presence of Prince Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, and the monument was completed on September 15 1903. Ferdinand also took part in the opening of the monument on August 30 1907 together with his sons Boris and Kirill, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia, son of Alexander II, along with his wife and son.

National Museum of Earth and Man

This is one of the largest mineralogical museums in the world. Was founded on December 30 1985 and opens to visitors on June 19 1987. Located in a reconstructed and adapted historical building built at the end of XIX century It has a number of exhibition halls, stock rooms, laboratories, a video room and a conference room. Its collection covers 40% of all known natural minerals, as well as artificial ceramics made by Bulgarian scientists.
In addition to permanent exhibitions related to minerals, the museum hosts exhibitions on other topics, as well as chamber music concerts.

Sofia Zoo

Currently, the Sofia Zoo has a huge number of exotic animals, as well as animals that live on Bulgarian soil. Was created in 1888. The zoo is constantly expanding.

Gabrovo

A city in central Bulgaria with a population of 58 thousand people. The city is considered the Bulgarian capital of humor, like Odessa, and annually hosts humor festivals. The residents of Gabrovo themselves often appear as characters in jokes (the so-called Gabrovo humor), where they are usually presented as overly stingy people trying to save money on everything (similar to English jokes about the Scots). In Gabrovo there is a one-of-a-kind House of Humor and Satire, which regularly holds various humorous competitions.

House of Humor and Satire in Gabrovo

History of Bulgaria

Bulgarian statehood has existed since 681 g. But Proto-Bulgarians were a single ethnic group before. The first mentions of the Bulgarians go back to 354 g.

Monument to Khan Asparukh in the city of Dobrich

First Bulgarian Kingdom existed since 681 By 1018. It was formed by the ancient Bulgarians and Slavs under the leadership of Khan Asparukh. During its period of greatest prosperity, it covered most of the Balkan Peninsula and had access to three seas. It ceased to exist as a result of the conquest by Byzantium.
Ruins of the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Pliska.
Byzantine Bulgaria existed for a short time: 1018-1185.
Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396). IN 1396 it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Having become part of Byzantium, Bulgaria, after the defeat of the Western Bulgarian Kingdom and the subordination of the Bulgarian Church to the Patriarch of Constantinople, constantly fought against Byzantium, because many noble families were resettled in the Asian part of the empire. But all the uprisings were suppressed.
IN XIV century Bulgaria has a more formidable and dangerous neighbor - the Ottoman Turks, who seized possessions in Asia Minor. Already in 20s XIV century. they began to carry out devastating raids on the Balkan Peninsula, and in 1352 captured the first fortress in Balkanankh - Tsimp. IN 1396 Bulgaria ceased to exist as an independent state for five long centuries.
Vidin kingdom (1396-1422)
A state that broke away from Bulgaria (Tarnovo Kingdom) in XIV century. After falling in 1395 The Tarnovo kingdom and the conquest of the Vidin kingdom in 1396, Konstantin II Asen ascended to the throne of Vidin. He ruled either as a vassal of the Turkish Sultan or as a Hungarian king, and also declared independence for a time, but his power extended to part of the former Vidin kingdom. Since 1396 By 1422. these remnants of the Vidin kingdom constituted Bulgaria. There was no longer any dispute between Tarnovo and Vidin. A number of foreign states recognized Constantine II Asen precisely as the ruler of Bulgaria. In this form, Bulgaria continued to exist until 1422, when, after the death of Constantine II Asen, the Vidin kingdom ceased to be mentioned in sources (apparently, it was finally liquidated by the Turks).
Ottoman Bulgaria (1396-1878)
At this time, there was no independent Bulgarian state, and the lands of the Bulgarians were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire (in Bulgarian historiography also called “Turkish slavery” or “Ottoman yoke”).
The independent Bulgarian Patriarchate was liquidated, which was subordinated to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. At first Bulgaria was a vassal, and in 1396 Sultan Bayazid I annexed it after defeating the Crusaders at the Battle of Nicopolis.

Illustration from “Chronicles” by J. Froissart

The Turks consolidated their power in the Balkans, becoming an even greater threat to Central Europe.
Principality of Bulgaria (1878-1908)
The Bulgarian state is known in history under the name of the Principality of Bulgaria from gaining autonomy within the borders of the Ottoman Empire in 1878. before the declaration of independence in 1908. It was a constitutional monarchy with a unicameral parliament (People's Assembly). The head of state is the prince. The title of the monarch is “Prince of the Bulgarians”. Ruling dynasties: 1879-1886 – Battenberg, 1887-1908. – Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. A collective regency was provided for in the event of the prince's incapacity.
Third Bulgarian Kingdom (1908-1946)
The Bulgarian state, which existed from the declaration of independence in 1908. before the abolition of the institution of monarchy in 1946. It was a constitutional monarchy (Tarnovo Constitution of 1879 as amended). The head of state was the king.
World War I
IN 1915 The Third Bulgarian Kingdom followed Ferdinand's pro-German orientation. In an effort to annex all of Slavic Macedonia, it entered the First World War on the side of Germany, Austria and Turkey. Bulgaria began to be considered a “traitor to the Slavs” in the Entente countries.
The Second World War
February 2 1941 Bulgaria and Germany signed a protocol on the deployment of German troops on Bulgarian territory.
March 1, 1941 In Vienna, documents were signed on Bulgaria's accession to the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Pact.
In April 1941. Bulgaria, together with Germany and Italy, took part in the Greek operation and in the Yugoslav operation, as a result of which it received part of the Aegean coast and part of Vardar Macedonia. Although Bulgaria claimed, it did not receive either the city of Thessaloniki or Mount Athos. Already in September 1941. In the area of ​​the city of Drama, inhabited by Greek repatriates from Turkey, the Bulgarian occupation forces used terror that amounted to genocide, after which the Third Reich reduced the territory of Central Macedonia, which was owned by the Bulgarians.
After June 22, 1941 Large-scale resistance unfolded in Bulgaria. December 13, 1941 Bulgaria declared war on Great Britain and the United States, but no hostilities followed. However, Bulgarian cities began to be subject to Allied air raids. Bulgaria did not declare war on the USSR, but provided its territory for the deployment of German troops; discriminatory measures were also introduced in Bulgaria against the small Jewish population, but not a single Jew was deported from Bulgaria. September 5, 1944 After the surrender of Romania, the USSR declared war on Bulgaria. The Bulgarians offered virtually no resistance to the Red Army. On September 9, as a result of an uprising prepared by the forces of the Fatherland Front, the pro-German government was overthrown, and the new authorities declared war on Germany. Then an anti-communist mountain movement arose in the country.
On September 8, 1946, a referendum was held, 92.72% of the population voted for the republic.
Of the territorial acquisitions, Bulgaria retained only Southern Dobruja. 150 thousand Bulgarians were deported from Western Thrace (Greek) and the Greek part of Macedonia. At the same time, almost the entire population of Greeks, who had lived on the Black Sea coast for thousands of years, were deported from Bulgaria.
People's Republic of Bulgaria (1946-1990)
As soon as the Soviet Army entered Bulgaria, on the night of September 9-10 1944 Army units together with partisan detachments carried out a coup d'etat. IN 1946. was proclaimed People's Republic of Bulgaria, the first prime minister of socialist Bulgaria was Georgiy Dimitrov.

IN 1950 A consistent Stalinist becomes Prime Minister Vylko Chervenkov, he completes the collectivization of agriculture, suppresses peasant protests, and accelerates industrialization.

After Stalin's death he gradually lost influence Todor Zhivkov, who headed the Bulgarian Communist Party in 1954.
Zhivkov era (1954-1989)

T. Zhivkov led Bulgaria for 33 years. In Bulgaria, relations with Yugoslavia and Greece are being restored, labor camps are being closed, and persecution of the church is ending.
He was loyal to the Soviet Union, supported the suppression of the Hungarian uprising in 1956, and sent troops to help suppress the Prague Spring in 1968.
10th of November 1989 Zhivkov was removed from the posts of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the BCP and Chairman of the State Council. Prime Minister of the communist government Andrey Lukanov and Chairman of the State Council Petr Mladenov, who replaced Zhivkov in this post, took a number of steps aimed at democratizing the political system.

August 1, 1990. was elected President of Bulgaria Zhelyu Zhelev, former dissident and SDS leader. In November, in response to mass demonstrations and a four-day general strike, Lukanov's government resigned.
On July 12, 1991, a new constitution was adopted.