The Republic of Bulgaria is located in the east of the Balkan Peninsula. It has become a favorite holiday destination for tourists from different countries. The country is known not only for its beautiful beach and ski resorts, but also for its huge number of natural, cultural and historical monuments.
Description of the country
Until November 15, 1990, the country was called the People's Republic of Bulgaria. Today, the word "folk" has disappeared from the name. The population is 7.5 million people. The capital is the city of Sofia. Bulgaria's closest neighbors are Greece, Serbia, Turkey, Romania, Macedonia.
In the east, the territory of the country is washed by the waters of the Black Sea, which connects it with Ukraine, and the Dardanelles and Bosporus - with the Mediterranean countries. Bulgaria is one of the smallest countries located in Europe, its area does not exceed 111 thousand square kilometers.
Climatic conditions
The Republic of Bulgaria has a mild temperate continental climate. It has four distinct seasons. Particularly Mediterraneaninfluence in the south. The average annual temperature does not exceed +10.5 °C. In January, the average temperature is around 0°C. In summer, the thermometer does not rise above +30 °C.
Religion
Orthodox Christians make up 86.7% of the population, 13% are Muslims. The Church of Bulgaria is autonomous, headed by a patriarch.
Saints of Bulgaria
Bulgarians venerate saints canonized by the church. Among them:
- Saint Vlas is the patron saint of cattle breeders and merchants.
- Saints Constantine and Elena are mother and son. Constantine was the emperor of the Roman Empire, who made the state a Christian monastery.
- Enravota (Boyan, Warrior) - the first martyr of Bulgaria.
- Nahum, who, together with Cyril and Methodius, promoted writing and religious culture.
- Clement of Ohrid is a follower and like-minded person of Cyril and Methodius.
- Boris I proclaimed Christianity the state religion in 865, known as the Baptist of Bulgaria.
- Peter I made the Bulgarian Church independent from Constantinople.
- Gorazd Ohrid was a student of Methodius, after the death of his teacher, he became an archbishop in Moravia instead of him.
- Dimitri Basarbovsky is revered as a reverend who is able to heal.
- Anastasy Strumitsky is a martyr. Bulgaria celebrates his memorial day on August 29.
- Paraskeva Serbian is known and revered for her ascetic lifestyle.
Bulgaria: language
The official language in the country is Bulgarian. It belongs to the Slavic group. Ancient letters of the Slavs were writtenCyrillic, which was created by Cyril and Methodius. Its letters and signs are borrowed mainly from the Greek alphabet. It is this Cyrillic alphabet with slight changes that exists from ancient times to the present day among the entire Orthodox Slavic people. Bulgarian Cyrillic is easy to read. Neither phonetics nor pronunciation causes difficulties.
Capital of Bulgaria
The center of Bulgaria keeps a huge cultural heritage. First of all, it is the ancient capital of Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo - and the current capital. This city amazes tourists with its originality and beauty.
The city of Sofia is one of the oldest in Europe. Since ancient times, it has been famous for its thermal and mineral springs. The founding of the city dates back to the 1st century AD. At first it was called Serdika. It was a major administrative and commercial center of the Roman Empire, and then of Byzantium. In 447 Serdika was destroyed by the Huns.
The second birth of the city occurred a hundred years later. By the beginning of 809, it was part of the Bulgarian kingdom and was first renamed Sredets. It received its modern name at the end of the 14th century.
When the Turks captured Sophia (1382), it became the second largest craft, trade and cultural center on the Balkan Peninsula after Constantinople. In December 1877, the city was liberated by Russian troops from the Turkish yoke and since 1879 became the permanent capital of Bulgaria.
This magnificent city is known for its sights. Many of them are monumentsstate importance. For example, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is located on the square of the same name in the capital. A magnificent structure of white stone and granite was built in honor of the liberation of Bulgaria. In addition, all visitors to the country should visit the Hagia Sophia, the Rotunda of St. George, the Cathedral of St. Resurrection, the Church of St. Nicholas, the luxurious Banya Bashi Mosque, the Archaeological Museum.
Varna
The city of Varna (Bulgaria), together with its surrounding areas, is located on the Black Sea coast. This is not only a popular Bulgarian resort, but also the cultural center of the country.
The Republic of Bulgaria is famous for its unique historical monuments. The sights of Varna are many museums that store historical exhibits and documents.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is considered to be the symbol of the city. In Varna, you can visit the Seaside Park. It houses the Palace of Sports and Culture, a dolphinarium, a zoo, a planetarium, a museum of nature and an aquarium. The archaeological museum is of great interest to tourists. His pride is a large collection of gold items, which dates back to the VI millennium BC.
No less interesting are the sights of the suburbs of Varna. Here you can visit the Evksinograd Palace, which is surrounded by a luxurious park, and a beautiful valley. It is called the "stone forest" because of the huge (up to 6 m high) columns, which, according to experts, are fifty million years old.
The Republic of Bulgaria, the sights of which cannot be explored forone trip, is very careful about its history. We will try to present you the sights of the country that are of the greatest interest to tourists.
City of Nessebar
This is a real museum city, which is located on a picturesque peninsula. Its attractions will not leave anyone indifferent. The area of Nessebar is about one square kilometer. Nevertheless, more than 40 churches were built in this territory at different times. However, today tourists can only see the churches of St. Savior and St. Stephen, which are perfectly preserved to this day
Plovdiv
The Republic of Bulgaria is known for many very ancient cities all over the world. For example, the city of Plovdiv, located on a hill. It was founded six thousand years ago. Walking around the city, you can see ancient towers built at different times, a large Roman amphitheater, many monuments and museums.
Rupite area
And we recommend that all lovers of the mysterious and unusual come to this place. Vanga, a healer and soothsayer, lived and was buried here.
Those who wish will be able to visit the Rozhen Monastery, which was founded in 1220. This is one of the oldest monasteries in the country. The shrine of the monastery is the icon of the Virgin Eleusa, which the parishioners consider miraculous.
Dobarsko village
This small alpine village, located at the foot of the Rila Mountains, seventeen kilometers from Bansko, representsnatural sights of Bulgaria. Centuries-old pine forests, picturesque meadows, alpine plateaus, mountain streams. Here you will be invited to a rural house and treated with national dishes and homemade brandy. A visit to this protected village is impressive.
Seven Rila Lakes
Another unique natural monument that the Republic of Bulgaria is proud of. This is a group of glacial lakes. Even in July, they are often covered with ice and snow, and blooming meadows surround them. The lakes are located one above the other. They are connected by beautiful waterfalls.
Aladzha Monastery
We are sure that the mysterious rocky monastery will surprise many. The monastery was founded in the XIV century and today is one of the main attractions of Bulgaria. The monastery is located 14 km north of Varna, not far from the Golden Sands resort. This rock abode, in which the functions of different rooms are clearly visible, is an excellent place for pilgrimage, ecological and educational tourism.
Which beach to choose?
The beaches of Bulgaria at all municipal resorts. But the coast is leased to private owners. Therefore, equipment on the beaches is paid: umbrellas, sun loungers, mattresses, folding tables and chairs, catamarans, etc. In this article we will present you the most popular beaches in Bulgaria.
Golden Sands - the largest resort in the country. It is located in the north of the Black Sea coast. This is a real Mecca where they prefer to relaxlovers of active tourism. The beaches of Albena are 150 meters wide and stretch for seven kilometers. The sea in this area is very warm and calm, besides, it is not too deep: at a distance of two hundred meters from the coast, the depth is no more than one and a half meters. The climate is quite comfortable: the summer air temperature is not higher than +28 °С, and the water temperature is +25 °С.
The beaches of St. Vlas are located north of Sunny Beach, they are deservedly called a piece of paradise. Luxurious landscapes, impeccably clean air, slopes of a mountain range covered with dense vegetation, unique aromas of roses - all this creates an extraordinary atmosphere. Those who want to retire from the hustle and bustle of the modern city will feel comfortable here. In addition, this place is perfect for a relaxing family holiday. The coast is divided into several beaches, which are covered with fine golden sand.
The central beach of Sozopol is very nice and cozy. It's free. According to vacationers, this is a corner of peace and solitude. Tourists are pleased with the local clear water, the sea protects the peninsula of the old city from the waves.
The beaches of the complex of St. Helena and Constantine, which are located on the shore of the bay between Golden Sands and Varna, are covered with fine quartz sand. The width of the beaches is not too great, and their length is about 3 km. The seabed is quite flat, and there are no depth differences.
Dyuni Resort has a beach 4500 meters long and over a hundred meters wide. The sand is golden and fine, like on most Bulgarian beaches. There are small dunes. The sea is herecalm, with a gentle bottom. The depth increases smoothly, so it is comfortable to relax here with children.
The beaches of Elenite have established themselves as the most romantic places on the coast of Bulgaria. The resort is located in a very beautiful bay. At this point, the sea meets the mountains of Staraya Platina, not far from Burgas and Sunny Beach.
Bourgas Bay is known to tourists all over the world for its beautiful golden sands, flat bottom, impeccably clear water. The width of the beach reaches 100 meters.
The beach "Harmani Beach" is located in the new town of Sozopol. Unlike the Central Beach, it is wider and longer, so it is much freer. Nearby there are numerous bars, restaurants, cafes. Entrance to the beach is free, and renting sun loungers and umbrellas will cost you $2.
Tours
Today, many Russians are happy to buy tours to Bulgaria. Their prices are quite reasonable. Holidays in a sunny and hospitable country meet European standards.
Before purchasing a ticket, you should take care of a visa. The best time to visit the country's resorts is June-September and January-March.
We inform those who are going to buy tours to Bulgaria. Prices for tours in the winter season of 2016 start from 23,602 rubles (seven nights, departure from Moscow). Price information for the summer season is not yet available.
Reviews
The impressions of people who have vacationed in Bulgaria are mostly positive. Tourists like the beautiful nature, affordable prices, the possibility of combining sightseeing and beachrecreation. Russian tourists feel quite comfortable in this country: all inscriptions are in Cyrillic, customs are very similar to ours, many locals understand Russian and are friendly to guests.
