Bulgaria is famous. What is Bulgaria famous for? Embassy, ​​visas, documents

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 a huge number of natural, cultural and historical monuments.

Country Description

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 Bosphorus straits - 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. The Mediterranean influence is especially felt in the southern regions. 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

Residents of Bulgaria venerate saints canonized by the church. Among them:

• St. Vlas is the patron saint of cattle breeders and Togovtsy.
• 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.
• Naum, 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 and is known as the Baptist of Bulgaria.
• Peter I made the Bulgarian Church independent from Constantinople.
• Gorazd Ohridsky was a student of Methodius, after the death of his teacher, he became an archbishop in Moravia instead of him.
• Dimitry Basarbovsky is revered as a reverend who is able to heal.
• Anastasius Strumitsky is a martyr. Bulgaria celebrates his memorial day on August 29.
• Paraskeva Serbskaya is known and revered for her ascetic lifestyle.

Bulgaria: language

The official language in the country is Bulgarian. It belongs to the Slavic group. The ancient writings of the Slavs are written in Cyrillic, 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 took place a hundred years later. By the beginning of 809, it was part of and was first renamed Sredets. It received its modern name at the end of the 14th century.

When Sofia was captured by the Turks (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 attractions. Many of them are monuments of national 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 rotunda of St. George, the Cathedral of St. Resurrection, the Church of St. Nicholas, the luxurious Banya Bashi mosque, and the archaeological museum.

Varna

The city of Varna (Bulgaria), together with the 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. Its 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 palace of Evksinograd, 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, whose age, according to experts, is fifty million years.

The Republic of Bulgaria, whose sights cannot be explored in one trip, treats its history very carefully. 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 city-museum, 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

Those who wish can 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, represents the natural attractions 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 reserved village makes a strong impression.

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.

Monastery Aladzha

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

Which beach to choose?

The beaches of Bulgaria at all resorts are municipal. 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

Golden Sands is the largest resort in the country. It is located in the north of the Black Sea coast. This is a real Mecca, where lovers of active tourism prefer to relax.

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 Sveti Vlas are located north of Sunny Beach, they are quite deservedly called a corner of paradise. Luxurious landscapes, impeccably clean air, slopes of a mountain range covered with dense vegetation, unique scents 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.

The Duni 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 here is calm, with a flat bottom. The depth increases smoothly, so it is comfortable to relax here with children.

Burgas Bay is known to tourists from all over the world for its beautiful golden sands, gently sloping bottom, and impeccably clear water. The width of the beach reaches 100 meters.

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 purchase tours to Bulgaria. Their prices are quite reasonable. Rest in a sunny and hospitable country meets 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). Information on prices for the summer season is not yet available.

Cyrillic is everywhere, it is more than in Russia. Ice cream is called with some childish accuracy "sweet ice". Our names are on every corner, there are many monuments to Russian people. There was also a mausoleum in the central square, but it was demolished. Even the sea we have in common - only for us it is in the south, and for them in the east ...
It was called - and is called - the 16th republic of the USSR, they even say that it is "not a foreign country." They lie, of course. If Bulgaria were not abroad, we would not strive to go there - neither 40 years ago, nor, even more so, now. Because we go abroad to get what we don't get here. And we buy there what is more expensive here. Or something that is not here at all.
Bulgaria and its real estate is the most understandable example of how it can be different. A little easier, obviously cheaper, but most importantly - much warmer. And still close. And also surprisingly familiar. Even if you have not been here yet in that life, when socialism was marching with might and main on the planet, and the chicken was not a bird.

... from the directory "Guide for residence - 2012"

Geography

The Republic of Bulgaria (Republic of Bulgaria) is located in the southeast of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. In the north, along the Danube, it borders with Romania, in the southeast - with Turkey, in the south - with Greece, in the west - with Serbia and Macedonia. In the east, Bulgaria is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The area of ​​the country is 110,912 sq. km.

The capital of the country is Sofia. Major cities are Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas and Ruse. Administratively, the territory is divided into twenty-eight regions. The climate is temperate continental, in the south, especially in the valleys of the Struma and Mesta rivers, it becomes Mediterranean. The average temperature in January is from +2° to -2° C, in July - up to +25° C.

Bulgarian time is 1 hour behind Moscow time in summer and 2 hours in winter (+2 hours GMT)

In 2008, the number population of Bulgaria amounted to more than 7,606 thousand people. Mostly Bulgarians live in the country, who make up 83.9% of the population, Turks - 9.4%, Gypsies - 4.7%. Also Armenians, Russians, Romanians, Ukrainians, Greeks, Karakachans, Jews live in the country. As for religion, 82.6% of the country's population are Orthodox, 12.2% Muslim, 0.6% Catholic, 0.5% Protestant. The official language is Bulgarian.

History and politics

The Bulgarian state, the so-called First Bulgarian Kingdom, arose in 681. At the end of the XIV century Bulgaria was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Released after the defeat of Turkey in the war with Russia in 1877-1878. After the Second World War, the People's Republic of Bulgaria was proclaimed, developing along the socialist path until the end of 1989, when the country emerged from the influence of the USSR. In the same year, profound economic and political reforms began in Bulgaria. Since November 15, 1990, the country has been called the Republic of Bulgaria.

Bulgaria has not participated in any wars since 1944, when Soviet troops drove the troops of Nazi Germany out of the country during World War II. There were no speeches against the Soviet Union in Bulgaria.

Today Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic. The permanent supreme body of legislative power is the unicameral People's Assembly, elected for four years. The head of state is the president, elected on the basis of universal and direct suffrage for five years.

Bulgaria and Europe. Economy of Bulgaria

Bulgaria has been a member of the UN since 1955 and a member of the Council of Europe since 1992. On April 2, 2004 Bulgaria joined NATO. On January 1, 2007, the country joined the EU. Bulgaria should enter the Schengen zone in 2011-2012.

The monetary unit is Bulgarian lev(BGN).

Recent years have been characterized by rapid economic growth. At the moment, Bulgaria maintains the lowest prices in the entire EU, but gradually the standard of living begins to rise - it is expected that prices will go up. This factor ensures the constant interest of foreign investors in the country. Heavy industry, tourism, agriculture and logistics play a key role in the Bulgarian economy.

The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria is a popular destination for beach tourism. The country was one of the most important resorts for the socialist countries of Eastern Europe. In the 1990s, the industry experienced a recession, but now there is a real boom. The development of tourism is constrained by insufficiently high, compared with Western standards, level of service. Bulgaria compensates for this lack of hospitality of citizens and low prices. The bulk of tourists come from Romania, Germany, Russia, Great Britain, Poland, Scandinavian countries. There is a growing interest from tourists from Egypt and the UAE.

Main Bulgarian holidays (weekends)
January 1 - New Year.
March 3 - Day of the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke.
April-May – Good Friday*
April-May – Easter*
May 1 - Labor Day.
May 6 - Day of St. George the Victorious, the official holiday of the armed forces of Bulgaria.
May 24 - Day of Slavic Literature and Culture.
August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin.
September 6 is the Day of the Unification of Bulgaria.
September 22 - Independence Day.
November 1 is All Saints Day.
December 6 - Constitution Day.
December 8 - Student's Day (day off mainly in universities).
December 25, 26 - Christmas.

* These two holidays are celebrated according to the church calendar. Good Friday is the two days of Easter Sunday. If Easter falls at the beginning of May, or the very end of April, the weekend in the country can drag on for more than a week. The church rule is: "Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the spring full moon." The spring full moon is the first full moon after the spring equinox. If this full moon is earlier than March 21, then the next full moon (+ 30 days) is considered Easter. If the Easter full moon falls on a Sunday, then Easter is celebrated on the following Sunday.

What is Bulgaria famous for?

Millions of Russian tourists love Bulgaria precisely for the opportunity to have an inexpensive vacation by the sea. Indeed, the prices are affordable. However, here, as in any resort country where it is customary to make money on tourists, one simple rule applies. Prices in cafes, restaurants, shops and shops located on the main promenade or in the very center of the resort will be two or even three times higher than in establishments hidden in the depths of the city. If you want to save money, get off the tourist trails.
Near the town of Kazanlak, in Central Bulgaria, is the famous Rose Valley. They say that picking flowers here is always accompanied by songs. Maybe that's why the essential oil produced in Bulgaria is considered the best in the world.
Russian and Bulgarian languages ​​are similar. If a local resident speaks his language slowly and clearly, you will understand him. Although Bulgarian has some funny "traps" for the translator. For example, "to the right" means "straight", "mountain" is "forest", and "table" is "chair". Even in the store, keep in mind that in Bulgaria only feta cheese is called “cheese”, and what we mean by this product is “kashkaval”.
Rakia- a traditional alcoholic drink popular in the Balkans. It usually has 40 “revs”, but homemade brandy can be stronger. It is prepared from a variety of fruits: plums, grapes, peaches, pears, figs and quince.
6000 years ago the first settlements appeared on the site of the Bulgarian Plovdiv. Today it is one of the oldest cities in Europe - it is older than Rome, Athens, Carthage and Constantinople.
When Bulgarians shake their heads, drawing a figure resembling an “infinity sign” with their chin, this means yes. And when they nod, it is - no!
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia
The largest Orthodox church in the Balkans. In recent years, its surroundings have been chosen by Hollywood filmmakers for filming films that allegedly take place in Russia. So in the action movie "Hitman" this cathedral was lit up as the main temple in Moscow.
Melnik
The smallest city in the country - its population is only 390 people. But it has preserved many architectural monuments, the city is considered a historical and cultural reserve, which supports traditional crafts, and a few kilometers from it is the famous Nativity Monastery.
website

The Bulgarian fairy tale says that when God is in a good mood, he paints the world with three colors - yellow, blue and green. Undoubtedly, the country of Bulgaria is one of the masterpieces of the Almighty, here there is an abundance of all three colors. Blue sea and cloudless sky, endless yellow sandy beaches. And how much greenery in Bulgaria!

Another Bulgarian fairy tale tells that when God distributed natural treasures to people, the Bulgarians came last. They were very busy, because they worked hard, and they got nothing. (You can also add that the Bulgarians are very slow by nature.) God praised the Bulgarians for their diligence and gave them a little bit of everything from paradise.

Beautiful stories that are very similar to the truth. Bulgaria is a true paradise on our planet!

Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula and borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, and Greece and Turkey to the south. But historians say that Bulgaria is the only country in the world that borders itself on all sides. The country lost a lot of its lands as a result of the aggressive wars of its neighbors. This fact only confirms the idea that Bulgaria is a real paradise on Earth, which many dreamed of owning, as well as the fact that the Bulgarians are peace-loving and good-natured people.

Bulgaria is one of the few countries in Europe where such a variety of natural landscapes can be found. About 30% of the country's territory is occupied by plains, also 30% falls on mountain ranges, and the rest is foothills. The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), Rhodope, Rila and Pirin create Bulgaria's reputation as a real mountain power.

Even if there is a completely flat landscape outside the car window, then there are mountain peaks on the horizon. The highest point in Bulgaria is Mount Musala, the height of the mountain is 2925 meters above sea level.

There are many rivers in Bulgaria, but they are all small and shallow (we do not take into account the spring period, when they can turn into giant streams and sweep away everything in their path.) Many rivers have reservoirs. The only navigable river that flows along the northern border of Bulgaria is the Danube. Mountain rivers are surrounded by canyons, some of them are equipped with ecological paths with bridges and stairs for tourists. There are hundreds of waterfalls in Bulgaria, the highest of which falls from a height of 124.5 meters.

260 lakes in Bulgaria, one more beautiful than the other.

Bulgaria is famous for its variety of summer and winter resorts. Holidays in this hospitable country attract tourists from all over Europe.

Bulgaria has magnificent sandy beaches; for cleanliness, they are awarded the famous "blue flag" from year to year. Healthy temperature conditions, low salinity of the water in the Black Sea, the absence of dangerous representatives of flora and fauna make the Bulgarian coast one of the most attractive places for recreation and permanent residence.

In winter, ski lovers are invited to the comfortable slopes of well-equipped resorts.

In modern Bulgaria, there are many cities that, in terms of comfort and service, can compete with the leading resorts in Europe. One of these places is the town and the largest yacht port on the Black Sea, Marina Dinevi.

In the mountainous regions of Bulgaria there are many healing and mineral springs. At the moment, there are officially 110 different resorts in the country. A network of 3 national parks, 10 natural parks and 97 nature reserves has been created. Bulgaria has 260 lakes and a huge number of small rivers. It is impossible to describe the air of Bulgaria, they need to breathe in order to understand how clean and fresh it can be!

Who in the world has not heard about the famous Bulgarian roses? There are few of these. But few people know about the fact that thousands of white swans hibernate on the coast of Bulgaria in winter! Swans from northern European countries and ... pensioners fly to Bulgaria for the winter.

For lovers of cultural values, Bulgaria offers to see a huge number of monuments. Of the 911 monuments of culture and natural phenomena under the protection of UNESCO, nine are located on the territory of Bulgaria.

The largest city in Bulgaria is the capital Sofia with a population of about 1,400,000. The second largest is Plovdiv, with a population of about 350,000. The third place went to the seaside capital of Varna, the number of inhabitants of Varna is approaching 350,000. The fourth place is Burgas with a population of 305,000 people.

The numbers make Muscovites smile. In general, not many people live in Bulgaria. Deer and bears often live in huge reserves on a considerable territory. In Bulgaria, they try not to build residential buildings higher than 5 floors - they save on elevators, and there are enough territories for building in this country. That, probably, is good for Bulgaria - the whole power of civilization has not yet reached here. Small quiet cities, and a quiet quiet life in them.

But the most important wealth of the country is the Bulgarians themselves, amazingly cheerful and hospitable people. The country of Bulgaria is considered one of the poorest in the European Union, but this is fully compensated by the generosity of the Bulgarian soul and low prices for absolutely everything.

Bulgaria surprisingly carefully preserves its rich national traditions. On holidays, the streets and squares sound good and everyone from young to old dances! In Bulgaria, ancient monuments are at every step, they harmoniously coexist with modern resorts and hotels. Folk music sounds in restaurants, tourists who come to rest enthusiastically learn how to dance horo and go to the village to watch dancing on coals.

The Republic of Bulgaria is a small European state with an amazing variety of natural, historical and cultural attractions that can be found almost everywhere on the territory of the country. Many of these attractions are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and have no analogues in the world.

The unique charm of the sunny republic

Bulgaria is located in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. More than a third of the country's territory is mountains with high steep slopes, alpine forests and secluded lakes.

It is no coincidence that local residents consider their homeland a paradise on earth. In Bulgaria you will find a warm sea with sandy beaches, incredibly beautiful mountains and flowering valleys, ancient temples and monasteries, medieval city streets and colorful Balkan patriarchy of rural areas. You will definitely be able to find here what you need for your holiday.

This country has an ancient , complex and amazing story. Over the centuries, the culture of the country has been influenced by European Christian and Eastern Muslim peoples, which is why it even received the name of the melting pot of Europe. Thanks to this, an original and vibrant Bulgarian culture was formed. Greek, Slavic, Turkish and Persian traditions are reflected in the architecture, music, folk costumes and cuisine of Bulgaria.

If you are planning a holiday in Bulgaria, it is important to know that the national currency is the Bulgarian lev (international designation - BGN). The Republic is not part of the Eurozone, despite being a member of the European Union since 2007. Please note that according to Russian and European tour operators, the cost of holidays in Bulgaria is the most affordable among all European countries.

The main attractions of Bulgaria

famous cities

In order to understand the spirit of the country, you definitely need to visit the most interesting and significant cities.

• The capital of the Republic of Sofia- one of the most unusual and interesting European capitals. Oddly enough, this city remains underestimated by tourists to this day. The best way to discover the city is to wander the streets leisurely. Domes of Orthodox churches and minarets of Muslim mosques coexist in the space of the city, convincing you that East and West really meet here.

The most significant and impressive building in Sofia is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It is located in the very center of the city on the square of the same name. The temple was built in the late 19th century in neo-Byzantine style and is a real architectural masterpiece. This is the cathedral patriarchal cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, where regular services are held. In addition, the church houses the Museum of Bulgarian Iconography, where you can see the largest collection of Orthodox icons in Europe. Outside and inside the temple looks unusually solemn and majestic.

Not far from the temple of Alexander Nevsky is the Church of Hagia Sophia which gave the city its name. The name of the church comes from a Greek word meaning "wisdom, intelligence". Thus, the church is dedicated to divine wisdom. This is one of the most ancient churches in Bulgaria, built in the 4th - 6th centuries. The external appearance of the church combines the simplicity and austerity of the early Christian architecture of Southern and Eastern Europe.

Nearby is another architectural monument - the Rotunda of St. George. This is an early Christian church built by the Romans in the 4th century. Rotunda of St. George is considered the oldest building in Sofia. The church is a small cylindrical red brick building. The Rotunda is known for its unique collection of medieval frescoes.

Located in the capital of Bulgaria pay attention to such famous sights as the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the Largo architectural ensemble, the National Palace of Culture and the Bulgarian Parliament building.

In the photo you can see the main attractions of Sofia.

• Plovdiv, another major Bulgarian city, is known for being built on seven hills, like Rome. True, it must be admitted that some of these hills can now only be found on the map. You can feel a more tangible connection with Rome if you visit the ancient amphitheater in the center of the Old City. It is so well-preserved that even today there are occasional performances for the public. Byzantine and Thracian motifs can be clearly seen in urban development. The spirit of antiquity is felt especially strongly on the ancient ruins of the Thracian fort on the top of the Nebet-Tepe hill (translated as “guardian hill”).

The best place for an evening walk in Plovdiv is the garden of Tsar Simeon. This famous park was created by the famous Swiss landscape designer Lucien Chevalas in the late 19th century. The park cleverly combines exquisite flower beds, lakes, musical fountains and sculptures. Various exhibitions are often held in the park.

In the photo, look at the streets of the Old Town and the ancient heritage of Plovdiv.

• The next city worth visiting is Varna, the Black Sea port. The city has the best archaeological museum in the country, the amazing landscapes of the Seaside Park (one of the largest in Europe) and the ancient ruins of Roman baths. Varna has many architectural sights, including 19th century cathedrals, which are a must-see to see the exquisite interior decoration.

Favorite place for city dwellers and tourists - this is the beach and the promenade along the coastline, where many cafes, bars and restaurants are concentrated.

In the photo - cathedrals, parks and the embankment of Varna.

On the way between Varna and Sofia is the famous Stone Forest. This is a collection of stone formations of natural origin, covering an area of ​​7 square kilometers. Scientists have not yet come to a consensus regarding the reasons for the formation of stone structures of a cylindrical shape and a height of about 7 meters. In any case, it is worth seeing this natural miracle with your own eyes.

In the photo - the mystical Stone Forest.

Coast

Bulgaria is rightfully famous for its beaches. The coastal territories of the Balkan Republic are very beautiful and suitable for a comfortable stay.

• Golden Sands is probably the most famous resort in Bulgaria. The beaches in this area are exceptionally clean. Numerous hotels of various price categories are located very close to the sea, surrounded by broad-leaved trees. The beaches of Golden Sands, like most of the beaches in Bulgaria, meet international requirements, which confirms the recognition in the form of the Blue Flag. The resort offers a water park and a variety of water sports. In recent years, the number of tourists from Russia and Western Europe coming here has been constantly increasing.
• The sea resort of Albena, located in the north-eastern part of Bulgaria at a distance of 30 km from Varna, is very popular. Albena is located in a picturesque place on the Black Sea coast, famous for impeccable ecology and blooming gardens. The resort is famous for its beautiful beaches, the total length of which is 5 kilometers and an average width of 150 meters. The beaches here are distinguished by very fine white sand, as well as crystal clear, calm and warm sea water. The resort offers mineral springs and several spa centers.

In the photo - serene sunny beaches.

• On the southeast coast located the port city of Burgas, one of the favorite holiday destinations of the Bulgarians themselves. Burgas is a relatively young city, the rapid development of which began in the 19th century. One of the main attractions of the resort is the Sea Garden. This is a huge seaside park, spread over 72,000 square meters. In the park you will find luxurious flower beds, a variety of trees, fountains, numerous cafes and an open-air theater where classical music concerts take place on summer evenings.
• In the southern part of the coast i located a group of famous Bulgarian resorts: Sunny Beach, Sozopol, Nessebar, Elenite and others. In each of these places you can choose the right option for recreation. You can choose a luxury hotel, a cozy family hotel, apartments or rent a house. Whatever you choose, you will have the sun, clean air and seascapes of dizzying beauty next to you.

In the photo - cozy seaside hotels and beaches of the south coast.

Mountain country

Mountainous areas of the country, remote from the sea, deserve special attention. There are more than a hundred monasteries in Bulgaria, usually located in the mountains. Reviews of tourists from all over the world contain enthusiastic descriptions of ancient structures of incredible architectural beauty and majestic mountains.

• The picturesque Rila mountain range is the highest on the Balkan Peninsula. Here, at an altitude of 1147 meters, surrounded by evergreen forests and lakes, is the famous Rila Monastery. It is a complex of buildings built at different times from the 10th to the 19th century.

The appearance of the monastery resembles a fairy-tale fortress. The monastery is surrounded by thick stone walls forming an irregular pentagon. Tourists entering the territory of the complex are amazed by the unique architecture that combines characteristic massive majestic domes, unusual arches and colonnades, carved verandas. The main temple, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, is known for its incredibly beautiful frescoes and carved iconostasis.

In the photo - the majestic Rila Monastery.

• At a distance of a two-hour drive is the best Bulgarian ski resort - Borovets, where you will find wonderful mountain slopes and cozy hotels. During the summer season, the resort becomes a center for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Recently, the ski resorts in Bulgaria have been developing rapidly and are worthy of competition with their Austrian and Italian counterparts.

In the photo - picturesque mountain slopes at different times of the year.

Now you know about the most famous, interesting and beautiful places in one of the most amazing countries of the Balkan Peninsula. Mark the sights of Bulgaria you are interested in on the map, make a route and go on an exciting journey.

Packages and tours

about country

Bulgaria is located in the southeastern part of Europe, in the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. In the north along the Danube it borders with Romania, in the south - with Turkey and Greece, in the west - with Serbia and Macedonia.

Three geographical areas can be distinguished: the Danube Plain, a mountain range consisting of two different systems - the Balkans and the Rhodopes, and the Southeast Plain.

Mountains occupy 28% of the country's territory, and 41% is hilly. Forests cover approximately 29% of the territory. The largest mountain ranges - Rila, Pirin and Rhodopes - are located in the southwest and south of the country. Musala (2925 m) is located in Rila - the highest peak in Bulgaria. The country is cut almost in half by the Stara Planina Range, which stretches for 420 km and is famous for its famous Shipka Pass. This is the Balkan Mountains. The main peak of the Balkans is Mount Botev (2376m).

The climate of Bulgaria

The climate of Bulgaria is temperate continental, with a pronounced change of seasons - summer is warm, autumn is long and sunny, winter is mild, very snowy in the mountains, spring is stormy and early.

History of Bulgaria

The history of Bulgaria is very ancient and extraordinarily rich. Almost all the great cultures of antiquity left their mark on it - the Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and the Ottoman Empire left their mark here.

The Slavs settled on the territory of modern Bulgaria in the 6th century, in the 7th century the Turkic tribe of the Bulgars arrived here, who assimilated with the Slavs and adopted Christianity by the 9th century. From the 10th to the 12th century Bulgaria was a powerful empire.

In 1396, the country fell under the rule of the Ottoman Empire and stayed in its composition for 500 years. The uprising of 1876 ended Ottoman rule.

Sights of Bulgaria

Bani Bashi Mosque survived from the Ottoman era, here and now the Muslims of Sofia pray.

Church of St. Petka Samardzhyskaya, built by the saddlers workshop at the end of the 14th century, at the very beginning of the era of Ottoman rule.

The most famous temple of Sofia - Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky. The temple was erected in memory of Russian soldiers who fell in the battles for the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke. The cathedral was built from 1882 to 1912. Here you can see a wonderful collection of icons.

Other tourist attractions are the Rotunda of the Church of St. George, the Church of Sveta Nedelya, the Hali covered market and the clock tower, the Synagogue, the National Historical Museum, the Russian Church, Alexander Batenberg Square.

Varna- the third most populous city in the country, an important industrial and cultural center of Bulgaria.

The Cathedral of the Holy Assumption of the Virgin (1880-1886) is located in the city center. It has three altars: the central one is dedicated to the Assumption of the Mother of God, the southern one is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myrikli, and the northern one is dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky.

The Marine Park stretches for 8 kilometers and descends directly to the sea. There are many benches, cozy gazebos, footpaths and alleys. On the territory of the park there is an aquarium, a dolphinarium, a zoo, a terrarium, the Naval Museum, the Bridge of Desires (a bridge through which you need to walk with your eyes closed and make a wish), a monument to Russian soldiers-liberators, a sundial, an observatory.

Bulgaria has 10 national parks (about 73,000 ha), 97 nature reserves (60,000 ha), 472 natural attractions (22,000 ha). The parks "Rila", "Pirin", the Vpachano-Balkan National Park with the nature reserve "Vratsa Karst" (more than 200 karst caves), the Central Balkan Park with the highest waterfall in Bulgaria - Praskalo (height - 125 m.), are very beautiful. Sinite Kamyni Park, Rusensky National Park with the richest wildlife and unique medieval architecture.

Bulgarian cuisine and its features

Vegetable dishes are widely represented in Bulgarian cuisine. The most popular Bulgarian salad is called "shopska": fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, onions and feta cheese. The local seafood and fish dishes also deserve attention.

Bulgarian cuisine is characterized by spicy spices and a piquant taste. One of its main features is the simultaneous heat treatment of products over low heat. This allows you to preserve the nutritional properties, to achieve a pleasant aroma of dishes, original flavor combinations.

Very unusual and cold Bulgarian soup "tarator" (finely chopped cucumbers, dill, garlic and walnuts are filled with diluted sour milk).

Bulgaria is famous for its wines. They make excellent Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet.

Population, language, religion

The population of Bulgaria is about 9 million people, of which 85% are Bulgarians, 9.7% are Turks and 5% are Roma.

The official language is Bulgarian.

Most of the population are Orthodox Christians (85%), there are also Sunni Muslims (12%).

Customs regulations, visa, currency, embassies

The import of foreign currency is not limited (amount over $1000 fits into the customs declaration). The export of currency should not exceed the amount indicated in the declaration upon entry. Over 20 thousand BGL (or the equivalent in foreign currency) can be exported with the permission of the Bulgarian People's Bank.