Bulgaria – Countless Travel Opportunities

7 cultural and 2 natural sites, a fraction of the invaluable world heritage - the Madara Horseman (the only rock relief from the medieval times in Europe); the Kazanlak and Sveshtari Thracian Tombs (4th and 3rd century BC); the Rila Monastery; the Boyana Church near Sofia; the Rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo (dug out of the limestone cliffs and inhabited until the 17th century); and the ancient city of Nessebar on the Black Sea coast. UNESCO recognizes also Pirin National Park and Srebarna biosphere reserve for their incredible biodiversity.

Bulgaria is Europe’s earliest inhabited area and the Thracians are among the first settlers in the Bulgarian lands. The Thracian civilization is evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds, uncovered tombs and treasures. The Thracians believed in life after death. The Thracian kings and nobility were buried in monumental stone tombs together with their weapons, jewellery and even horses.

Early Christian churches were built on Bulgarian lands even before Bulgarians converted to Christianity in the 9th century. The realistic style of painting of the unique frescoes of Boyana Church (UNESCO World Heritage site), dating back to 13th century, surpassed the Italian Renaissance by a century.The hundred Bulgarian monasteries and churches have preserved unique examples of Bulgarian iconography, icon-painting and wood-carving.

Grandiose monuments and splendid cathedrals, constructed in a very specific architectural style of Eastern-Byzantine synthesis. Foundations of the Christian faith, the early Christian basilicas were built upon the ruins of antique Thracian and Roman settlements. Erected upon the ruins of Thracian settlements, in the times of the Thraco-Roman civilization the Bulgarian Fortresses were rebuilt as military, administrative and religious centers to form a system of Roman borderline fortifications.

Influenced by a variety of ancient styles with abundance of architectural decorations and paintings. The houses feature graceful curved bay-windows and ornate wooden ceilings along with hand-painted murals. The romantic atmosphere and tranquility, and cobbled streets can be found in the towns of Plovdiv, Veliko Turnovo, Nessebur, Arbanassi, Koprivshtitsa, Tryavna, and many others.

Bulgaria has traditions dating back over 2 millennia. The country has a wealth of mysterious Thracian treasures and burial tombs, magnificent frescos and many brilliant examples of ancient arts. Bulgarian fine arts - paintings, graphic art, sculpture and monumental art, as well as Bulgarian applied arts - ceramics, pottery, textile, metal plastic arts, wood-carving, have their roots deep in prehistoric times.

Bulgaria has been famous for its singers and great voices for many years. Descending of the legendary Orpheus, the Bulgarian singers and musicians’ talent is appreciated as mystic, cosmic, magic and unique on world famous musical stages.

Archeology, folklore and literature have left numerous evidences of vine planting and wine production on Bulgarian lands since ancient times – 6,000 BC. It is only in Bulgaria, that the wine of the ancient Thracians is still produced and drunk - the full-bodied red ‘Mavrud’. The Mavrud vine grows only in the Thracian region of Bulgaria and nowhere else.

The Bulgarian cuisine is one of its kind and pretends to have given the patent to many Balkan specialities. At the same time, it is a strange but enchanting mixture between European, Oriental and Mediterranean cuisines. The traditional Bulgarian cuisine is specific for the different geographic and ethnographic regions depending on the local food and customs.