Bulgaria form of government. Sofia. Supreme legislative body

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.

Once upon a time, small Bulgaria was called “Balkan Prussia,” and it was an apt description. However, those times have already been completely forgotten, and now Bulgaria is a hospitable Balkan country, where more than 3.5 million tourists come annually to relax on the Black Sea coast or ski in the Rhodope and Rila mountains.

Geography

Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula, in the north it borders with Romania (the border runs along the Danube River), in the west with Serbia and ancient Macedonia, in the south with Greece and Turkey, and in the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The total length of this country is more than 110 square meters. km.

Almost half of Bulgaria's territory is occupied by mountains. The most beautiful of the mountain ranges is Pirin, and the highest mountain in Bulgaria is Musala (its height is 2,925 meters).

Capital

The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia, whose population now amounts to more than 1.4 million people. The history of Sofia begins around the 8th century BC. e. – then there was a large Thracian city on this territory.

Official language

The official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian, which, according to linguists, belongs to the southern subgroup of Slavic languages. The Bulgarian language began to take shape during the time of the Slavic enlighteners Cyril and Methodius (9th century).

Religion

About 76% of the population of Bulgaria is Orthodox (Greek Catholic Church). Another 10% of the population professes Islam, its Sunni branch. Approximately 2% of Bulgarians are Catholics and Protestants.

State structure

Bulgaria is a parliamentary democratic republic, its Constitution was adopted on July 12, 1991. Currently, Bulgaria includes 28 provinces, including the capital region of Sofia.

The head of state is the President, who is elected by direct universal suffrage. He has the right to veto legislative initiatives of the National Assembly.

The Parliament of Bulgaria is a unicameral National Assembly, in which 240 deputies sit.

Climate and weather

The climate in Bulgaria is temperate continental, with cold, wet, snowy winters alternating with dry, hot summers. In general, Bulgaria is a very sunny country. The average temperature in April-September is + 23 C, and the average annual temperature is +10.5 C. On the Black Sea coast the climate is maritime, the average temperature in July is from +19C to +30C.

The best month for skiing in Bulgaria is January.

Sea in Bulgaria

Bulgaria in the east is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The length of the coastline is 354 km. On the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, the first settlements appeared in the 5th century BC.

From the end of May to the end of September, the average temperature of the Black Sea near the Bulgarian coast is +25C.

Rivers and lakes

There are quite a few rivers in Bulgaria, the largest of which are the Danube, Maritsa, Tundzha, Iskar and Yantra. However, only the Danube is the only navigable river in Bulgaria (but navigation is still carried out on other Bulgarian rivers).

History of Bulgaria

The territory of modern Bulgaria was inhabited in ancient times. The state of Bulgaria itself has a 1,300-year history. In terms of the number of archaeological monuments, Bulgaria ranks third in the world (after Greece and Italy).

The earliest inhabitants of the Bulgarian lands are the Thracians, who were first mentioned by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. By the way, the legendary Spartacus, who led a slave uprising in Ancient Rome, was a Thracian by birth.

The first Bulgarian kingdom was created in the middle of the 7th century by the legendary Khan Asparukh, who united the Bulgars, who came to the Balkans from Central Asia, and local Slavic tribes. It should be noted that Bulgaria was the first Slavic country to convert to Christianity (this happened in 864 AD). At the end of the 9th century, the Cyrillic alphabet became the official alphabet in Bulgaria.

In 1014, under the attacks of the troops of the Byzantine Empire, the First Bulgarian Kingdom collapsed. Only in 1185 was Bulgarian statehood restored, after the formation of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. During the long reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241), Bulgaria reached the zenith of its glory, experiencing economic, religious and cultural prosperity.

However, at the end of the 14th century, the Ottoman Empire began to conquer the Bulgarian lands, and Bulgaria again lost its independence. The rule of the Turks in Bulgaria lasted for about five centuries.

Since the mid-19th century, Bulgaria fought numerous wars for independence with the Ottoman Empire. Russian soldiers actively participated on the side of the Bulgarians in these wars. Finally, on September 22, 1908, independent Bulgaria was proclaimed.

After defeat in the First World War, the authoritarian dictatorship of Tsar Boris III was created in Bulgaria in 1918, which lasted until 1943.

During World War II, Bulgaria fought on the side of Germany, but after the death of Tsar Boris III, it abandoned its alliance with the Germans. After the end of World War II, the People's Republic of Bulgaria was proclaimed (this happened in September 1946).

In June 1990, Bulgaria held its first multi-party elections, and in November 1990 the country became the Republic of Bulgaria.

In 2004, Bulgaria joined NATO, and in 2007 it was admitted to the European Union.

Culture

The culture of Bulgaria was significantly influenced by the ancient Greeks and Romans. To this day, hundreds of historical monuments built before our era have been preserved in this country.

Bulgarian folk holidays and customs go back to those distant times when people tried to appease the mysterious forces of nature with offerings. Bulgarian folklore is considered one of the richest in the Balkans. "Fire Dance" is an ancient religious ritual in Bulgaria. Barefoot people dance on smoldering coals, which, as Bulgarians believe, helps get rid of diseases.

To understand the Bulgarian culture, we advise tourists to visit the Rose Festival near the city of Kazanlak. This unique festival has been held for many years in a row. There is a legend that during the Roman Empire, 12 types of roses were grown on the territory of modern Bulgaria.

The most popular Bulgarian folklore festivals are “Pirin Sings” and “Rozhen Sings”. Every year, these folk festivals are attended by a huge number of people (according to official data - more than 150 thousand people).

Among the most famous Bulgarian writers and poets, Ivan Vazov (1850-1921), Dimcho Debelyanov (1887-1916) and Dimitar Dimov (1909-1966) should definitely be mentioned.

Bulgarian cuisine

Bulgarian cuisine is close to traditional European cuisine, although, of course, it has its own characteristics. In many ways, Bulgarian cuisine is similar to the cuisine of Greece and Turkey. Traditional foods for Bulgarians are yogurt, milk, cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, onions, eggplants, and fruits.

The most famous Bulgarian traditional dishes are vegetable “shopska salad”, gyuvech, “Pumpkin” pie, “katma” flatbread, cold “tarator” soup, hot “chorba” soup, kebab, moussaka, “sarmi” cabbage rolls, yakhnia, tomato salad “lyutenitsa”, as well as pastarma.

Among the Bulgarian desserts, we note gris halva, Rhodopean banitsa and apple pie.

In Bulgaria, yogurt, which is often served with various fruit and berry additives, and ayran are very popular.

Bulgaria is famous for its white and red wines, as well as rakia (vodka made from fruit). In addition, in Bulgaria they make mastic with a strength of 47 degrees, and mint liqueur menta.

Sights of Bulgaria

Tourists come to Bulgaria primarily to relax at beach resorts or ski in the puddles at ski resorts. However, in this ancient country with beautiful nature, tourists should definitely see its attractions. The top five most interesting sights in Bulgaria, in our opinion, include the following:

Cities and resorts

It is difficult to say which city in Bulgaria is the most ancient. Some of them were formed by the Greeks and Romans (for example, Balchik, Sofia, Varna and Sozopol).

At the moment, the largest Bulgarian cities are Sofia (more than 1.4 million people), Plovdiv (390 thousand people), Varna (350 thousand people), Burgos (about 220 thousand people), Rousse (more than 170 thousand people ) and Stara Zagora (170 thousand people).

Bulgaria is famous for its beach and ski resorts.

The most popular beach resorts are Albena, Dunes, Golden Sands, Burgas, Kranevo, Obzor, Rusalka and Sozopol. It should be noted that more than 97% of the Bulgarian coast meets EU environmental requirements.

There are no fewer ski resorts in Bulgaria than beach resorts. Among them are Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo, Semkovo, Kulinoto and Uzana. This means that the best Bulgarian ski resorts are in the Rodopi, Pirin and Rila mountains.

Souvenirs/shopping

• Kuker masks (these are folk masks that appeared in Bulgaria several centuries ago). In the early Middle Ages, cookers drove away evil spirits and invoked fertility. Masks are made from wood, leather, fur and feathers;
• paintings by local artists depicting traditional Bulgarian houses;
• handicrafts, especially wood, clay and ceramics;
• dolls in traditional Bulgarian clothes;
• embroidered products, including towels, tablecloths and napkins;
• copper coinage and copper turk;
• sweets (for example, Bulgarian Turkish delight and halva);
• products with rose water or rose oil;
• wines and strong alcoholic drinks.

Office hours

Stores operating in Bulgaria:

Mon-Fri: from 9.30 to 18.00

Sat: from 8:30 to 11:30.

Bank opening hours:
Mon-Fri: - from 9:00 to 15:00.

Volute exchange offices are open until 18:00 (but some are open 24 hours a day). You can exchange currency at the airport upon arrival or departure, or at the hotel.

Visa

If anyone thinks that the capital of Bulgaria has always been Sofia, then this is not so. There were several capitals. First things first.

Pliska

Pliska is the first capital of Bulgaria. The city was the capital until 893. Here Tsar Boris I converted to Christianity. The remains of this medieval city are located in the area of ​​today's Pliska, Kaspican and Novi Pazar, in the Shumen region. On the site of the first Bulgarian capital there is the National Historical and Archaeological Reserve “Pliska”. The Grand Basilica and the Historical Museum, which are located on the territory of the reserve, are recommended for inspection.

Veliki Preslav

Located 20 km. from the city of Shumen. It was declared the Bulgarian capital in 893. It housed the famous Preslav book school. Clement of Ohrid, Constantine of Preslav, John the Exarch, and Presbyter Cosmas served and worked here. Veliki Preslav has the National Historical and Archaeological Museum.

Ohrid

Ohrid is currently located on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid. Ohrid was not always Macedonian. This city was Roman, Byzantine, Serbian, and Bulgarian. Ohrid was the capital of Bulgaria in the 10th-11th centuries, or more precisely, the city was declared the capital by Tsar Samuel in 978. The restored Samuil Fortress is one of the most famous attractions of the city.

Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo is located in Northern Bulgaria, on the slopes of the Yantra River. In the period from 1018 to 1187 it was under Byzantine rule. After the uprising of the brothers Asen and Peter and the restoration of Bulgarian statehood, Veliko Tarnovo was proclaimed the capital of Bulgaria. In fact, it was there until it fell under Ottoman slavery in 1393, but formally the capital was moved from Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia only in 1879, i.e. we can say that Veliko Tarnovo has been the capital of Bulgaria for the longest time of all Bulgarian capitals.

The most famous tourist sites of the city are the fortresses of Tsarevets and Trapezitsa, the churches of the 40 martyrs, Peter and Paul, and St. Demetrius of Thessalonica. In total, there are 1,613 Bulgarian historical heritage sites in the city. Here, on February 10, 1879, the Tarnovo Constitution was adopted, which gave rise to the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, of which Alexander Batenberg was proclaimed Grand Duke.

Sofia

Sofia is located in the central part of Western Bulgaria. The total area of ​​the city is 1344 square meters. km, and the average altitude above sea level is 590 m.

Archaeological finds from the Neolithic era are of particular interest to tourists. In ancient times, on the site of today's Sofia there was the Thracian city of Serdica, which later became a Roman fortress, then the medieval city of Sredets.

During the invasion of the Turks, some Sofia fortresses resisted until 1388. Sofia was liberated from the Ottoman Empire by General Gurko on January 4, 1878, and on April 3, 1879 it became the fifth capital of Bulgaria.

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) - a 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.

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About Bulgaria

Basic information

Currency

Lev ($1=2 leva).
1 lev = 100 stotinki, in everyday use there are banknotes with denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 levs, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki. A constant exchange rate to the German mark was introduced - 1 DM = 1 lev.

Visa

Entry into the Republic of Bulgaria: Necessary documents for obtaining a visa for a short stay for organized tourism:

A tourist voucher issued by a Russian tourism organization (sending company), licensed in accordance with the requirements of Russian legislation and its photocopy.
Required documents to obtain a visa for individual tourism:
A valid international passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation and a photocopy of the photo page;
Visa application form;
Current color photograph - 1 pc., size 3.5x4.5 cm;
Return ticket and/or proof of financial means to provide transportation;

Photos of Bulgaria

Time
Time in Bulgaria is one hour behind Moscow.
Geography
The capital is Sofia.
Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula. In the north it borders with Romania, in the west - with Yugoslavia and Macedonia, in the south - with Turkey and Greece, in the east it is washed by the waves of the Black Sea.
The area of ​​Bulgaria is 110,912 sq. km. The length from north to south is 330 km, from east to west - 500 km.
Attractions
The capital of Bulgaria, its scientific, cultural and industrial center is Sofia, founded more than 7,000 years ago. This unique city has absorbed all the diversity of Greek, Byzantine, Oriental and typical Bulgarian architecture. The city today has more than 250 archaeological, historical, cultural and architectural monuments of antiquity. Among them are the Rotunda of St. George, the Church of Hagia Sophia, and the Boyana Church with its numerous paintings and frescoes from the 13th century is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. But the real symbol of Sofia is rightfully considered the Alexander Nevsky Memorial Cathedral, built in the Byzantine style and turned into a museum of revived Bulgarian art, represented by magnificent items made of gold, marble, crystal, paintings, mosaics, and icons.
Varna is rightfully considered the sea capital of Bulgaria. This city was founded by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC under the name Odessos. Here you can see monuments from the era of the Roman and Byzantine empires, samples of the world's oldest gold, archaeological and ethnographic museums and many other attractions. The city's international airport is a convenient transportation center where most coastal resorts meet their guests.
On the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria there are resorts known to most Russians: Albena, Golden Sands, Sunny Beach. In 1997, nine resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast received the prestigious title of BLUE FLAG. This difference is the pride of any European resort and is evidence that our sea, beach and air are clean. So tourists do not have to worry about their health - it is guaranteed. Large modern resorts attract with their comfort and the variety of services offered in the field of sports, entertainment and travel.
How to get there
The Moscow-Sofia train runs twice a week. Trains depart from St. Petersburg to Sofia daily.
The easiest way to get to Sofia is by regular Aeroflot flights from Moscow (departures 4-6 times a week, flight time - 2.5 hours) and St. Petersburg (departure once a week, flight time - 3 hours 15 minutes). The Bulgarian airline Bulgaria Air operates regular flights from Moscow to Sofia 2-3 times a week, and flies from St. Petersburg once a week. In winter, charters fly from Moscow to Plovdiv; their flight time is about 3 hours.
Climate
Bulgaria has a continental climate. In general it is cooler than other places in Europe at the same latitude. For example, unlike the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory, there are no subtropics in Bulgaria.
The average temperature in January in Sofia: 4 - 2 degrees C, in July: 16 - 27 degrees C.
In Varna the average temperature in January: 1 - 6 degrees C, July: 19 - 30 degrees C
Credit cards
Any type of service in Bulgaria can be paid for with VISA and Master Card.
Culture
Early Bulgarian society developed under the influence of two main cultures - Byzantine and Turkish. Both of them had a serious influence on the formation of the Bulgarian population.
Bulgaria has contributed to the treasury of world culture, literature and art. The works and mastery of many Bulgarian writers and poets (A. Konstantinov, E. Pelin, X. Smirnensky, El. Bagryany), artists (An. Mitova, Iv. Myrkvichki, V. Dimitrov-Maistora, D. Uzunov), composers (Em Manolova, P. Vladigerova, etc.) gained worldwide fame and recognition.
For many centuries, Bulgaria was influenced by various civilizations: Thracian, Roman, Greco-Byzantine, Slavic and Muslim. This largely determined the peculiarities of the development of the country’s culture. Despite the centuries-old foreign yoke, the Bulgarian people have preserved their identity and culture. Bulgarian belongs to the South Slavic group of the Indo-European family and is the oldest of the Slavic written languages. In 862 or 863, the brothers Cyril and Methodius from the Greek city of Thessaloniki created the Old Bulgarian alphabet (Glagolitic). The Russian version of the Old Bulgarian alphabet (Church Slavonic) contributed to the spread of literacy in Eastern Europe. Nowadays the Cyrillic alphabet is used, named after the Slavic educator Kirill. The cultural heyday of medieval Bulgaria was noted in the XIII-XIV centuries. In particular, the construction of the Boyana Church on the outskirts of Sofia with frescoes that anticipated the best examples of fine art of the early Italian Renaissance dates back to this time. The Tarnovo literary school had a strong influence on the literature of other peoples who used writing based on the Cyrillic alphabet (Serbs, Russians, Vlachs). In the X—XIII centuries. In Bulgaria, an anti-feudal peasant movement developed, which took the form of a religious heresy - Bogomilism. The teachings of the Bogomils had a certain impact on the ideology of some socio-religious movements in Europe.
Summer time
26.03-29.10
Voltage
In Bulgaria, the network voltage is 240 V, 50 Hz. There are no problems with adapters and sockets. However, it is still better to take an adapter, since intensive reconstruction is underway in Bulgarian hotels and it is possible that Western-style sockets will appear in the rooms.
Population
The population in this country is about 8.2 million people, mainly Bulgarians live here 85%, Turks 9%, others 6%.
about country
The appearance of Bulgaria is surprisingly diverse: endless beaches on the Black Sea coast, green mysterious mountains, generous land, ancient cities and monasteries, healing mineral springs. It is decorated with pink fields, abundant gardens and fabulous vineyards. Deep bays and mountain spurs, wooded hills and gardens give a unique charm to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
This is a warm and hospitable country, where there are both modern well-appointed resorts and secluded corners of untouched nature. The Black Sea washing its shores is clean and calm, without ebbs and flows, without dangerous predators. The sandy shore is very flat, so even the smallest children can swim safely. The water of the Black Sea contains two times less salts than the Mediterranean. The Bulgarian coastal strip, facing east, stretches for 378 km and is dotted with spacious beaches, up to 200 m wide, with fine and golden sand.
Food and water
Most often you are offered to choose from traditional Shopska, mixed (tomatoes with cucumbers and optional feta cheese), Russian (Olivier), Italian and three or four more types of salads. Usually the portions are not very large, so you can add a cold “previous” - roulade, or a ham cocktail, a mushroom cocktail. dry sausage “Lukanka”, tomatoes stuffed with mushrooms or cheese. The cold Bulgarian soup “tarator” is also very unusual (finely chopped cucumbers, dill, garlic and walnuts are doused with diluted Bulgarian “kiselo mlyako”). Bulgaria is famous for its pyrzhols (grilled pieces of meat) and kebabchet (fried oblong minced meat cutlets). You will be offered pyrzhola made from pork, veal or chicken.
Square
111 thousand sq. km
Purchases
In Bulgaria, people buy embroidered clothes, linen fabrics, rugs, perfumes from the Valley of Roses, leather goods, copper, handmade silver, copper and iron items as souvenirs. In Sofia, the best shops are located along Vitosha Boulevard and in the gallery in front of the NDK Palace of Culture. In the TSUM store on Largo Street you can buy leather goods, knives, CDs, and souvenirs. Before making a large purchase, check customs regulations.
The Russian Embassy
Russian Embassy in Bulgaria:
Sofia, blvd. Dragan Tsankov, 28
Tel. (8-10-359-2) 963-16-63, 963-09-14, 963-09-12
Fax: (8-10-359-2) 963-41-03, 963-41-16
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Ruse:
Ruse, st. Nis, 1
Tel. (8-10-359-82) 82-22-51, 82-22-49. Fax: (8-10-359-82) 45-07-57
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Varna:
Varna, st. Macedonia, 53
Tel. (8-10-359-52) 66-2718, 66-2719
Fax: (8-10-359-52) 60-2722
Email: [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Holidays
* February 14 - Tryphon Zarezan (feast of the winegrowers)
* March 1 - Martenitsa (arrival of spring)
* March 3 - Day of the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke, national holiday
* May 6 - Day of Courage, Bulgarian Army Day
* May 24 - Holiday of Bulgarian culture and Slavic writing (Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius)
* June 2 - Day of Botev and those who fell for the freedom of Bulgaria
* September 6 – Bulgarian Unification Day
* September 22 – Bulgarian Independence Day
* December 6th – Constitution Day of Bulgaria
* December 8 - Student's Day

Nature and animals
The appearance of Bulgaria is surprisingly diverse: endless beaches on the Black Sea coast, green mysterious mountains, generous land, ancient cities and monasteries, healing mineral springs. It is decorated with pink fields, abundant gardens and fabulous vineyards. Deep bays and mountain spurs, wooded hills and gardens give a unique charm to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

Industry
The most developed are mechanical engineering (production of electric hoists and electric cars, tractors, agricultural machines, computers, machine tools) and the food and flavoring industry (tobacco, fruit canning). Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. Chemical and petrochemical, woodworking industries.

Religion
The Orthodox religion is predominant in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Church is headed by the Patriarch, who, together with the Synod of Metropolitans, exercises supreme power.
Sanitary standards
First aid and consultations in emergency cases are free.
In the event of a traffic accident or accident, you will receive free medical care. Long-term treatment is paid, but inexpensive. Medicines, despite the fact that many of them are from Western companies, are inexpensive.

Connection
Bulgaria code is 359.
Sofia code is 02.
Codes of some other cities and resort centers in Bulgaria:
Varna - 052; Golden Sands - 052; Riviera - 052; Albena - 05772; Burgas - 056; Plovdiv - 032; Ruse - 082; Balchik - 0579; Nessebar - 0554; Sozopol - 05514.
0123 order an international telephone call

Agriculture
Agriculture is dominated by crop production. Production of grains and legumes (6.7 million tons in 1992, mainly wheat, corn), tobacco, vegetables, fruits, grapes, essential oil crops (1st place in the world in the production and export of rose oil). Meat and wool livestock farming (cattle, sheep, pigs). Fishing

Capital
Sofia

Souvenirs
Traditional Bulgarian souvenirs are embroidered clothes and blouses, linen, rugs, perfumes from the Valley of Roses, pottery, leather, handmade silver, copper and iron products. In Sofia, the best shops are located along Vitosha Boulevard and in the gallery in front of the NDK Palace of Culture. In the TSUM store on Largo Street you can buy leather goods, knives, CDs, and souvenirs.
Before making a large purchase, check customs regulations.
Customs regulations
The import of uncanned food products is prohibited. Export is prohibited: without special permission - objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value. To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, if you have jewelry, a photo, film or video camera, a portable typewriter or a laptop, indicate them in the declaration when entering the country.
Foreigners are allowed to bring into Bulgaria duty-free 250 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine, gifts in a reasonable amount and an unlimited amount of foreign currency. If the total amount of imported currency (local or foreign) exceeds BGN 5,000, it must be included in the customs declaration. Jewelry, video cameras, computers and other expensive items are subject to declaration. When leaving the country, valuables must be included in the declaration. Local currency (or its foreign equivalent) in the amount of less than BGN 5,000. can be exported without documents, amount from 5,000 to 20,000 levs. must be included in the declaration. If the amount of currency exported from Bulgaria exceeds 20,000 levs, permission from the Bulgarian People's Bank is required.

Telephone code
8-10-359-(tel.)

Transport
AIRLINES
Both foreign and Bulgarian public and private airlines connect the country with the whole world. Charter flights are organized in summer and winter to transport tourists to resorts.
RAILWAY AND WATER TRANSPORT
International railway lines connect Bulgaria with most European countries. The inland railway network covers almost all Bulgarian cities.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT In the center of Sofia it is better to travel by tram, bus or trolleybus than by car, as you will have difficulty finding a parking space. Trolleybuses and buses operate from 5 am to midnight, and trams - until 1 am. Tickets are sold at bus stops, newsstands and in the driver's cabin. The ticket must be validated in the bus, trolleybus or tram. In case of transfer, you must buy another ticket. Controllers check passengers' tickets from time to time.
TAXI You can order a taxi by phone from I TAXI companies, tel. 1282, TAXI S EXPRESS, tel. 1280, OKAY, tel. 2121.

Tourism
Resort complexes in Bulgaria with beautiful romantic names - Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Albena, Duni - meet all the requirements of modern tourism. Bulgarian resorts are isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city and the stress of everyday life in large cities, but they are all located close to interesting tourist sites, which provides opportunities for excursions and educational tourism.

Flag
The national flag of the Republic of Bulgaria consists of white, green and red horizontal stripes with the coat of arms in the upper left part. White color is a symbol of peace and freedom. The green stripe represents the country's natural resources. The red stripe is a symbol of the courage and blood of patriots shed in the struggle for the country's independence.

Tips
It is customary to leave them when paying a bill in a restaurant, cafe, bar, taxi, if the clients are satisfied. The size depends on your generosity.

Timezone
+02:00

Language
The state language is Bulgarian, which is so close to Russian that Russian-speaking tourists have virtually no language problems.
Service personnel at resorts, hotels and restaurants usually speak Russian, English, German and French.