Regional Bulgaria guide Regional Bulgaria directory
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The sea resorts of Bulgaria have been gaining steadily in popularity with the number of tourists doubling every year. Our Bulgaria Destination Guide below will give you a multitude of things to see and do during your holiday. As well as these highlights, you can book one of our Regional Bulgaria Tour Suggestions. This will tell you all you need to know about travel toand around Burgas, Plovdiv, Varna and Veliko Tarnovo. The first historical mention of this city comes from Manuel Phill, the 13th century Byzantian poet. Later on in the 17th century, Hadji Kalfa, a Turkish historian, wrote about the settlement, giving it two new names - Bourgos and Pirgos. The names were inspired by the many fishing towers or ‘bourgs' in the area, and originate from ‘bourgos' and ‘pirgos' which mean fortress or tower in Greek. In 1676, this settlement was listed for the first time in a Turkish document as a town. In 1730, it appeared as the port of Burgas in another document. Although in the 19th century Burgas was razed to the ground by a fire, it rose from the ashes to become the economic, cultural and administrative hub of Bulgaria.The present day Burgas is Bulgaria's fourth biggest city. It has a moderately continental climate, thanks to the Black Sea. In 1989, the government established a Duty Free Zone in Burgas to attract overseas investors. The town's topographical location and modern transport facilities make it an ideal place for the growth of trade and tourism. However, the most attractive feature that lures visitors to Bulgaria is its coastline. Touring BurgasBurgas, the capital of Burgas Province, is the second biggest city in Bulgaria along the Black Sea. Population wise, this industrial and tourist centre is the fourth most populated city in Bulgaria. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral and the Art Gallery. The salt mines and the famous lakes encircling the city are also worth visiting. For a taste of Bulgarian culture, visit the Opera, the Philharmonic Orchestra Hall, and the Theatre of Drama. Even Rome, 'The Eternal City', is considerably younger than Plovdiv. Plovdiv is older than Carthage, Athens and Constantinople. It existed at the same time as Troy, and has outlived Mycenae. Plovdiv stands upon the layers of many cities and many epochs. Some of the names it was christened with during its 8000 years of history were Philippopolis, Trimontsium, Populdin Eumolpia, Pulpudeva, Pulden, Filibe, Kendros and Ploudin. Its modern name Plovdiv made its first appearance in documents of the 15th century. Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, nestles on the banks of Maritsa, atop six svenite hills known as 'tepeta'. When the Thracians first established the city on three of the eastern hills, they called it Evmolpiass, which later became Pulpudeva. In 342 BC, Philip II of Macedonia conquered it and named it Philipopol. The Romans called it Trimontsium, which means 'town on three hills', and finally, it became Plovdiv to the Slavs.Old Plovdiv, a historical
and architectural reserve is located on Three Hills, i.e. Nebbet, Bounardzhik and Sahat Tepe It is a very interesting place. You can find some charming houses from the National Revival near the ancient ruins. The central portion of the settlement was built between the 19th and the 20th centuries and the influence of the European style of architecture is very evident here. The old theatre in Old Plovdiv has been renovated, and cultural events are still staged here today. Yet another tourist attraction in Old Plovdiv is the 2000-year-old Hissar Kapiya, the gate of the fortress on the east.Old Plovdiv's most important assets are the houses built during the time of the National Revival. These 19th century houses are expertly laid out and beautiful both inside and outside. It's only fitting that some of these are museums today. There's more to see here - the ancient churches of St. Nedelya, the Craftsmen's Market in Strumma Street, and the home of the famous publisher and enlightener Hristo G. Danov which is now the Museum of Book Publishing. Don't forget the very old stadium in the town centre, and the Archaeological Museum which houses unique exhibits from different historical periods. Here you'll find an ancient replica of the golden treasure of Panagyurishte, painted ceramics silver pots, as well as age old friezes and capitals. Then there's the clock tower on Shat Tepe and the Imaret and Dzhoumaya mosques.The modern part of Plovdiv is a very busy place, teeming with cultural activities, and trade. It is packed with churches, museums, hotels, banks, cafes, cinemas, bars, restaurants bazaars, shops and casinos. But traces of the town's ancient origins are also present in the remnants of a Roman style stadium, the Roman forum and Turkish baths. There are also many mosques here.You can always catch a classical music concert at the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra's concert hall. If you're there in January, you can go for the winter festival of symphony music. You can take in the opera nearby or watch a classical, modern or children's drama at the Mesalitinov Theatre. The old part of the town is located on the hills of the ancient Trimontium. It's like an open air museum with its impressive houses which date back to the National Revival era. Open air performances are held in the ancient Roman theatre. Places of interest in PlovdivThere are many places of interest in Plovdiv. There is the fortress, the ancient Odeon and the Roman Aqueduct, Roman Forum and the Roman Stadium. Among the religious monuments, you can visit the ancient synagogue, the Helena and Constantine Church, the churches of St. Petka, Virgin Mary and Ludovic and the Dzumaya and the Imaret mosques. The Sahat Tepe hill complex and the Nebet Tepe hill complex and the Old Turkish Bath which is now an art gallery are interesting places to visit. Do not miss the Tsar Simeon's garden and the Singing Fountains and the Rowing Canal. Later, the conquering Romans, as well as the Slavs after them, turned the town into an important port that traded with Venice, Constantinople and Dubrovnik. Called the Pearl of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, Varna ranks amongst Bulgaria's most beautiful towns. Lying 470 kilometres to the east of Sofia, it has a population of 325,137 and is located in the Bay of Varna. About 11 kilometres long, with a width of approximately 9 kilometres, it is the largest city along the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. Almost all of Varna is filled with tiny farms and private country style villas. To the west, around 20 km away, is the 'Stone Forest' or 'Pobitite Kamani'. It is an intriguing assortment of stone pillars that rise to almost seven metres and seems like a temple in ruins. It is a major port near Lake Varna on the coast of the Black Sea. It was known as Stalin for a short time (1949-1956), after the Russian leader. The largest city along the coast of the Back Sea, Varna is usually called the Sea Capital of Bulgaria. It used to be the naval base of Bulgaria and today it has a Naval Museum which houses Drazki, a torpedo boat. Do not miss the cave monastery of Aladzha and the Asparuhov Bridge, a bungee jumper's paradise. This is Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria's oldest towns. Once upon a time, ridges of these hills were the precipitous banks of River Yantra. During the 12th century A.D., Tsarevets used to be the capital of the second Bulgarian kingdom. Travellers at that time extolled the might and beauty of the town and referred to it as ‘the second after Constantinople'. There is also evidence of spiritual cults and activities in Tzarevets in this golden era. Archaeologists have found many civil and residential buildings here that are revered for the glimpses of history they offer. You can also check out the cafes and handicraft workshops here. Veliko Tarnovo is a commercial, cultural and administrative centre and modern travellers describe it as the best looking town in Bulgaria. The tower tells you the story of the Latin Emperor Bauldouin of Flanders who was made captive by Tzar Kolyan. Veliko Tarnovo has presented to us the Manassiev Chronicle and Tzar Ivan Alexander's Tetraevangelia. Evtimii, the Patriarch of Tarnovo and Theodosius of Tarnovo, was born here. Veliko Tarnovo has preserved for generations the architectural silhouettes and exquisite murals from various eras. In Trapezista, you can visit the restored churches of St. Demetrius of Thessalonika, St Paul, and St. Peter, or get a feel of the Bulgarian National Revival era by strolling down Gurko Street. This street is part of the Samodivene Market which is a centre for trade and craft.Touring Veliko TarnovoSituated in the central part of northern Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is the administrative hub of Veliko Tarnovo Province. It rests on the banks of the river Yantra and is renowned as the Second Bulgarian Empire's erstwhile capital. Its architectural beauty draws tourists from round the world. Places of interest in Veliko TarnovoVeliko Tarnovo is among Bulgaria's most important tourist destinations, and has numerous historical monuments. On the hillock of Tsarevets, you can see the ruined Tsarevets castle which at one time housed the patriarchal and royal families; on the right bank of the Yantra River stands Trapezitsa, the second fort in the inner portion of the city. Dimitre of Solun, the richly decorated houses of the Bulgarian National Revival era, and the various museums.