The Republic of Bulgaria is located in the east of the Balkan Peninsula. It has become a favorite vacation spot for tourists from different countries. The country is known not only for its beautiful beach and ski resorts, but also for its huge number of natural, cultural and historical monuments.
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. The closest neighbors of Bulgaria 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 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. Four seasons are clearly expressed in it. Especially Mediterranean influence is felt in the southern regions. The average annual temperature does not exceed +10.5 ° C. In January, the average temperature is about 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, led by the patriarch.
Saints of Bulgaria
Residents of Bulgaria revere saints canonized by the church. Among them:
- St. Vlas is the patron saint of cattle breeders and Togo residents.
- Saints Constantine and Helen 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 promoted writing and religious culture along with Cyril and Methodius.
- Clement of Ohrid is a follower and like-minded person of Cyril and Methodius.
- In 865, Boris I proclaimed Christianity the state religion, known as the baptist of Bulgaria.
- Peter I made the Bulgarian church independent of Constantinople.
- Gorazd Ohridsky was a pupil of Methodius, after the death of his teacher he became instead archbishop in Moravia.
- Dimitri Basarbovsky is revered as a reverend who is able to heal.
- Anastasiy Strumitsky is a martyr. Bulgaria marks its memorial day on August 29th.
- Paraskeva Serbian is known and revered thanks to an ascetic lifestyle.
Bulgaria: language
The state language in the country is Bulgarian. He belongs to the Slavic group. The ancient Slavic writings are written in Cyrillic, which was created by Cyril and Methodius. Her 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 all Orthodox Slavs. Bulgarian Cyrillic is easy to read. Neither phonetics nor pronunciation is difficult.
The capital of Bulgaria
A huge cultural heritage keeps the center of Bulgaria. First of all, it is the ancient capital of Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo - and the current capital. This city impresses tourists with its originality and beauty.
The city of Sofia is one of the oldest in Europe. Since ancient times, it was famous for its thermal and mineral springs. Specialists attribute the founding of the city 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 Byzantium. In 447, Serdika was destroyed by the Huns.
The rebirth of the city occurred a hundred years later. By the beginning of 809, he was part of the Bulgarian kingdom and was first renamed Sredets. It got its modern name at the end of the 14th century.
When the Turks captured Sofia (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 the Russian forces from the Turkish yoke and from 1879 became the permanent capital of Bulgaria.
This magnificent city is famous for its attractions. Many of them are monuments of national importance. For example, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is located on the eponymous square of the capital. A magnificent building made of white stone and granite was built in honor of the liberation of Bulgaria. In addition, all visitors to the country should visit the Hagia Sophia, the rotunda of St. George, the Cathedral of the Resurrection, the Church of St. Nicholas, the magnificent mosque of Banya Bashi, the archaeological museum.
Varna
The city of Varna (Bulgaria), together with the surrounding areas, is located on the Black Sea. 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. Sights of Varna - a lot of museums that store historical exhibits, documents.
The symbol of the city is considered to be the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin. 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. Of great interest to tourists is the archaeological museum. His pride is a large collection of gold jewelry, which dates back to the VI millennium BC.
No less interesting are the sights of the suburbs of Varna. Here you can visit the Evksinograd Palace, which is surrounded by a magnificent park, and a beautiful valley. It is called "stone forest" because of the huge (up to 6 m in height) columns, whose age, according to experts, is fifty million years.
The Republic of Bulgaria, the sights of which cannot be explored in one trip, is very careful about its history. We will try to introduce you to the sights of the country that cause the greatest interest of tourists.
City of Nessebar
This is a real city-museum, which is located on a picturesque peninsula. Its sights will not leave anyone indifferent. The area of Nessebar is about one square kilometer. Nevertheless, more than 40 churches were built at this time at this time. However, today tourists can only see the temples of St. Spas and St. Stephen, which are perfectly preserved to this day.
Plovdiv
Many very ancient cities around the world are famous for the Republic of Bulgaria. 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.
Terrain Rupite
And in this place we recommend that all lovers of the mysterious and unusual come. Here lived and was buried Wang - healer and diviner.
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 Eleus, which parishioners consider miraculous.
Village Dobarsko
This small mountain village, located at the foot of the Rila Mountains, seventeen kilometers from Bansko, represents the natural sights of Bulgaria. Century-old pine forests, picturesque meadows, alpine plateaus, mountain streams. Here you will be invited to a rural house and treated with national dishes and homemade brandy. A visit to this protected village 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. Lakes are located one above the other. They are connected by beautiful waterfalls.
Aladzha Monastery
We are sure that the mysterious rock 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, near the Golden Sands resort. This rocky cloister, in which the functions of different rooms are clearly visible, is an excellent place for pilgrimage, ecological and educational tourism.
How to choose a beach?
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, deck chairs, mattresses, folding tables and chairs, catamarans, etc. In this article we will introduce you to the most popular beaches in Bulgaria.
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, 150 meters wide, 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: summer air temperature is not higher than +28 ° , and water +25 ° .
The beaches of St. Vlas are located north of Sunny Beach, they are deservedly called the paradise. Luxurious landscapes, impeccably clean air, slopes of the mountain range, covered with dense vegetation, unique aromas of roses - all this creates an unusual atmosphere. Here those who want to retire from the hustle and bustle of a modern city will feel comfortable here. In addition, this place is perfect for a relaxing family vacation. The coast is divided into several beaches, which are covered with fine golden sand.
The central beach of Sozopol is very nice and cozy. He is free. According to holidaymakers, this is a corner of peace and solitude. Tourists are happy with the clear water here, 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 quartz fine sand. The width of the beaches is not too great, and their length is about 3 km. The seabed is quite shallow, and there are no differences in depth.
Duni Resort has a beach with a length of 4,500 meters and a width of more than one hundred meters. The sand is golden and fine, as on most Bulgarian beaches. There are small dunes. The sea is calm, with a shallow bottom. The depth increases smoothly, so it is comfortable to relax with children here.
Elenite beaches have established themselves as the most romantic places on the coast of Bulgaria. The resort is located in a very beautiful bay. In this place, the sea meets the mountains of Old Platinum, not far from Burgas and Sunny Beach.
Burgas Bay is known to tourists from all over the world for its beautiful golden sands, a gently sloping bottom, and impeccably clear water. The width of the beach reaches 100 meters.
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 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 voucher, 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 tickets to the winter season of 2016 start at 23 602 rubles (seven nights, departure from Moscow). Information on prices for the summer season is not yet available.
Reviews
The impressions of people vacationing in Bulgaria are mostly positive. Tourists like beautiful nature, affordable prices, the ability to combine sightseeing and beach holidays. Russian tourists feel quite comfortable in this country: all the Cyrillic inscriptions, customs are very reminiscent of ours, many locals understand the Russian language and are friendly to guests.