Most tourists who come to Bulgaria from around the world try to combine a magnificent beach holiday with a sightseeing one. In this sunny country there are many attractions, memorials and original works of architecture. One of them, undoubtedly, is the castle “In Love with the Wind”. So the owner and builder of the amazing building Georgi Tumpalov romantically called it.
Where is the castle located?
Externally, the structure resembles a medieval castle, but this is a delusion. This is a modern building, located near the resort town of Sozopol (Bulgaria), in the small village of Ravadinovo, which is located almost on the Black Sea coast. Even today, despite the incomplete construction, you can visit it and appreciate the boldness and originality of the author's architectural solution.
Sozopol, Ravadinovo Castle
This is a fairly popular resort located on the Black Sea on a peninsula thirty-six kilometers from Burgas. The town is one of the oldest on the coast: scientists say that the first settlements here were back in the Bronze Age.
For centuries, Sozopol (Bulgaria) was a tiny fishing village, and only in the twenties of the last century it began to develop rapidly as a resort. Today it is well known far beyond the borders of the country as a place where you can relax on one of the two well-equipped beaches. Exactly from this city are excursion groups consisting of those who want to see with their own eyes the castle of Ravadinovo (Bulgaria).
A small amphitheater is well preserved in Sozopol. Experts believe that it looks much more attractive than in Nessebar, although it is not as impressive as in Plovdiv.
Ravadinovo - an old Bulgarian village
It became known to the whole world after a former athlete, and later police officer Georgi Tumpalov began to build his own "medieval" castle on this land. This idea came about almost twenty years ago, but today the construction is still not completed. Despite this, tourists can visit the magnificent building, immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, masterfully and very accurately recreated by the author.
About the construction of the castle
Construction work began in 1997. Before they began, Georgi traveled a lot and paid special attention to traveling castle architecture. He designed his creation himself. According to him, he is engaged in construction together with his two sons, as well as a small brigade consisting of local residents. They deliver the stones for construction to the site, mining them on Strandzha Mountain. It is located near the Bulgarian-Turkish border, about 70 km from the village.
Now for the interesting numbers. The construction of the castle has already taken about sixteen thousand tons of stone. Think about these values: ordinary KAMAZ can maximize accommodate no more than 13 tons. But in fact, no more than 10 tons of stones can be loaded into the body. Thus, a small team (approximately 20 people) over the years had to load and then unload about 1,600 KAMAZ trucks. In addition, fifty tons of gilded copper went into construction.
In 2009, when Ravadinovo Castle (Bulgaria) was already known and tourists began to visit it, the authorities, in particular the Nessebar prosecutor’s office, had questions to the owner about the origin of the funds for such a serious project. After all, back in those years, the castle was estimated at about four million euros. But apparently, Tumpalov was able to submit all the necessary documents.
Castle description
Ravadinovo Castle (Bulgaria) covers an area of ​​five thousand square meters. Inside are sixty spacious rooms. The interiors are antique: carved furniture, oak floors, stucco molding on the ceilings, stained glass arched windows, walls trimmed with precious metals. The atmosphere of the castle is literally saturated with luxury and wealth.
Ravadinovo Castle resembles the work of the great Gaudi, with some elements of Byzantine architecture. The magnificent building is surrounded by a magnificent park with elegant wrought iron gazebos and a pond, through which graceful swans swim, and the air is saturated with the aroma of many colors. There are many exotic trees and shrubs: tiger lilies are very harmoniously combined with small palm trees.
The walls of the castle are surrounded by green ivy. Ravadinovo Castle (Bulgaria) is decorated with sculptural compositions located in the garden. They further enhance the medieval flavor of this grandiose building. The park has a very beautiful pond. It is inhabited by white and black swans. And in another artificial reservoir, noble breeds fish.
After the tour, guests can relax and dine in a cozy restaurant, enjoy Bulgarian wine from the owner's cellar.
Entertainment
In summer, the castle has an attraction for adults - “Ghostbusters”. Visitors are invited to find ghosts in the dungeons of the castle. And for younger guests, an excellent playground with a trampoline is equipped. Kids can play it for free. After the final completion of construction, the owner plans to open a tourist complex here.
Excursions
Ravadinovo Castle (Bulgaria) today can be visited by everyone. An excursion from Sozopol can be presented in two versions: with a visit to the Ropotamo nature reserve or with a visit to the picturesque Ravadinovo castle. When buying tickets, be sure to check its route.
In the first case, tourists on a boat go for a walk around the Ropotamo Nature Reserve, where you can see various turtles and other forest inhabitants. In the second case, you will go directly to Ravadinovo Castle (Bulgaria). The territory, and the structure itself, is really impressive. Here you can take great photos as a keepsake. A visit to Burgas - a large port city - the tour ends.
What else to see in the castle?
In addition to the building itself, on a vast territory surrounded by a high fence, you can see:
- a small aviary with pigeons of different breeds;
- plot for chickens and geese;
- peacocks that are important to stroll through;
- the wine cellar of the owner of the castle, it is a little away from the main building, it will offer you to buy wine, but be prepared for the fact that its price significantly exceeds the store price;
- a small chapel;
- a pool with a statue installed in the center, in which several large sturgeons swim;
- the statue of G. Tumpalov, which is located at the entrance;
- Pay attention to the knightly armor standing in the cellar, as well as in the castle.
Ravadinovo Castle (Bulgaria): how to get there?
They must immediately warn that without a car it is not very convenient to get to the castle. It is located two kilometers from Sozopol and 30 kilometers from Burgas. You can get there by bus following the Sozopol-Burgas route: he makes a stop in the center of Ravadinovo.
Mode of operation
And the last advice to everyone who wants to visit the Ravadinovo Castle (Bulgaria). Opening hours are convenient for visiting - from 8.00 to 17.00. But guests are taken to the castle only three times a week - on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.