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Bulgaria located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders on Romania in the north, Serbia and Macedonia in the west, and Greece and Turkey in the south. In the east it is washed by the Black Sea.

The country was named after the ethnonym of the people - Bulgarians.

Official name: Bulgarian Republic

Capital: Sofia

The area of ​​the land: 110.9 thousand sq. km

Total Population: 7.2 million people

Administrative division: Consists of 8 areas that include communities. The city of Sofia also has the status of a region.

Form of government: Parliamentary republic.

Head of State: President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Population composition: 85.% - Bulgarians, 10% - Turks, 4% - Roma, 1% Macedonians

Official language: Bulgarian

Religion: 82.6% are Orthodox Christians, 1.7% are Catholics, 1.6% are Protestants. 12.2% of Bulgarians profess Islam, 0.8% - Judaism

Internet domain: .bg

Mains voltage: ~220 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +359

Country barcode: 380

Climate

Large mountain systems, significant elevation changes and other factors determine noticeable regional climatic differences. The northern part of the country is characterized by a temperate continental climate; The Lower Danube Plain is open to north winds in winter. The Stara Planina Mountains, on the one hand, prevent the movement of these winds in a southerly direction, and on the other, serve as a barrier to the Mediterranean air flow, which shape the climate in the south of the country. In the Maritsa Valley, winters are quite cold, but the Mediterranean influence is already noticeable. As you approach the Black Sea, the climate becomes milder, essentially Mediterranean.

Average January temperatures in the Maritsa Valley and on the Black Sea coast are approx. +4° C, and north of the Stara Planina mountains drop to –4° C. In the mountains winter temperatures even lower, and there is snow there for several months. Summer is hot (except in the mountains); in most of the low plains the average July temperature is approx. 21° C. The duration of the frost-free period ranges from 180 to 260 days. Droughts often occur on the plains, and in the mountains there is a lot of precipitation (up to 1900 mm per year), mainly in the form of snow. The amount of atmospheric precipitation is closely related to the features of the relief: plains and intermountain valleys protected by mountains rarely receive more than 600 mm per year.

Geography

Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. The area of ​​the country is 111.0 thousand sq. km. Its neighbors are the countries: Romania in the north, Serbia and Macedonia in the west, Greece and Turkey in the south. In the east, Bulgaria is washed by the Black Sea.

Almost a third of Bulgaria's territory is occupied by mountains, but they are low and mostly accessible to tourists. The Stara Planina ridge, or Balkan ridge, stretches across the entire country for 555 km, giving its name to the peninsula. The highest point of this ridge - Mount Boteva - rises to a height of 2376 m. Srednyaya Gora is located parallel to Stara Planina. In the southwest and west of the country there are the Rila, Pirin and Rhodopes mountain ranges. The most high peak Rila, Mount Musala (2925 m), is also the highest point of the entire Balkan Peninsula.

There are many rivers in Bulgaria, but they are low in water. On the territory of the country there is the middle course of the Danube - largest river central and southeastern Europe. Starting in the Black Forest mountains, it flows through 9 countries. Since the Danube is an international river, navigation has always been developed on it. average temperature water range in July is from +17 to +24. Cruises are organized along the river. The second largest river is the Maritsa. It carries its waters to the Aegean Sea. Struma and Mesta also flow into the Aegean Sea. Kamchia, Veleka and Ropotamo flow into the Black Sea.

Between the Stara Planina ridge and the Danube is the Danube Plain, which is the breadbasket of the entire country. The southeastern plain is bounded by the Middle Mountain from the north and the Rhodope Mountains from the southwest. It is often called Upper Trakia.

Bulgaria is famous for its wide beaches that gently slope down to the sea. The Black Sea is favorable for swimming - it is not very salty and the bottom is sandy.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The main types of natural vegetation in Bulgaria are forest and steppe temperate zones and Mediterranean forests. Typical steppes are common on the Dobrudzha plateau in the northeastern part of the country. The same vegetation is found in the Lower Danube Lowland, although the steppes there alternate with forests. Deciduous forests grow in the foothills and lower altitude zone of the Stara Planina Mountains, coniferous forests are found higher up, and alpine meadows are found in the uppermost zone.

In the southeast of the country, in the Maritsa Valley, hard-leaved forest formations of the Mediterranean type are found. The climate here is favorable for the cultivation of cotton, tobacco, mulberry trees, grapes and vegetables. In the border areas with Turkey and Greece, typical Mediterranean fruits are cultivated - citrus fruits and figs.

Forests in 1987 occupied 3.8 million hectares, or approx. 30% of the country's area. Of these, approximately 31% are coniferous, and the rest are deciduous with a predominance of beech, oak, ash and hornbeam. Only 15% of forest plantations are of industrial importance, and the rest are predominantly low-productive or perform water-protection and soil-protection functions.

In Bulgaria there are needle-leaved forests - pine, spruce, white spruce and others. Broad-leaved forests, primarily oak and beech, and then hornbeam, ash, linden, hazel, predominate in Stara Planina, Sredna Gora and Strandzha. Wild chestnut is found in Stara Planina (near Berkovitsa) and Belasitsa; the best varieties tobacco

In mountainous areas up to an altitude of 1000 m, broad-leaved forests grow, the most common species of which are oak, beech, hornbeam, ash, linden, and hazel. Above 1000 m there is a zone of coniferous forests.

Animal world

The country's fauna has suffered greatly due to the reduction in forested areas. Bear, wild boar, deer, and chamois are still found in the forests. Also common are the ferret, weasel, wolf, fox, badger, and jackal; of rodents - squirrel, brown hare, dormouse. In the 1970s, packs of wolves became a real scourge, attacking villages on winter nights in search of sheep or calves, but in last years the number of these predators has decreased significantly.

Attractions

The country is known throughout Europe for its picturesque landscapes, seaside resorts on the Black Sea coast, an abundance of historical monuments and colorful folk rituals.

Banks and currency

Bulgarian Lev (BGL), equal to 100 stotinki. In circulation there are coins and banknotes in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 leva, as well as banknotes of 10, 20, 50 leva. Since July 1, 1997, the lev has been strictly “tied” to the euro at a ratio of 1.95 levs per euro.

Open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 16.00, break - from 12.00 to 13.00. On weekends and holidays banks are closed.

It is more profitable to exchange currency at exchange offices (Change, Exchange) than in banks or hotels. In resort areas, the exchange rate is also somewhat undervalued. Preference is given to euros or US dollars (they can even be used to pay in some small shops, as well as for services on the beach). Some exchange offices (most often near markets) accept Russian rubles, but the exchange rate is very unfavorable.

Be careful - the exchange office can offer a good exchange rate with a commission of 1% of the amount, which will be indicated by the inscription in this “exchanger”. However, a nearby inscription (usually small and illegible) may indicate that at this rate you can change money starting only from a certain amount (usually quite large), and smaller amounts are changed at a different rate with a charge of 15%-20% of the amount exchange.

Credit cards, traveler's checks and euro checks are not yet widely used and are accepted only in banks and large hotels. Payment is most often made in cash.

Useful information for tourists

IN warm time year, in addition to windsurfing, guests can enjoy water skiing and sailing, scuba diving and catamarans, rowing and all kinds of regattas. In spring and autumn, some luxury hotels have heated swimming pools. sea ​​water. Long water excursions along the shores of Golden Sands have a magical appeal, especially for children.

Speed ​​limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside and 120 km/h on expressways.

- 110994 km2.

Population of Bulgaria. 7.171 million people (

Bulgaria GDP. $55.73 billion (

Administrative divisions of Bulgaria. Consists of 8 areas that include communities. The city of Sofia also has the status of a region.

Bulgarian form of government. Parliamentary republic.

Head of State of Bulgaria. President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Higher Legislature Bulgaria. Unicameral People's Assembly.

Supreme executive body of Bulgaria. Council of Ministers.

Major cities in Bulgaria. Plovdiv, Varna, Rousse, Burgas.

Official language of Bulgaria. Bulgarian.

Religion of Bulgaria. 85% are Orthodox, 13% are Muslim.

Ethnic composition of Bulgaria. 87% are Bulgarians, 9% are Turks, 2.5% are, 2.5% are Macedonians.

Currency of Bulgaria. Lev = 100 stotinki.

Climate of Bulgaria. Continental, transitional. The average annual temperature is + 13°C. reaches zero in January. The average temperature of the warmest month - July - ranges from + 23 °C to + 25 °C. in the lowlands they fall in the amount of 500-600 mm per year, in the mountains - 1000-1200 mm per year. The entire country from west to east is crossed by the Balkan Mountains, where the vertical line is clearly visible. The highest point is Mount Musala (2925 m). Flora. Forests occupy up to 30% of the territory of Bulgaria. Here you can find oak, hornbeam, beech, elm, ash, pine, spruce, and fir.

Republic of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. In the north it borders with Romania, in the west - with Serbia and Macedonia, in the south - with Greece and Turkey. In the east it is washed by the Black Sea.

The country was named after the ethnonym of the people - Bulgarians.

Capital

Square

Population

8210 thousand people

Administrative division

Consists of 8 areas that include communities. The city of Sofia also has the status of a region.

Form of government

Parliamentary republic.

Head of State

President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Supreme legislative body

Unicameral People's Assembly.

Plovdiv, Varna, Rousse, Burgas.

Official language

Bulgarian.

Religion

85% are Orthodox, 13% are Muslim.

Ethnic composition

87% are Bulgarians, 9% are Turks, 2.5% are Gypsies, 2.5% are Macedonians.

Currency

Lev = 100 stotinki.

Climate

Continental, transitional to Mediterranean. The average annual temperature is + 13°C. The air temperature in January reaches zero. The average temperature of the warmest month - July - in lowland areas is from + 23 °C to + 25 °C. Precipitation in the lowlands amounts to 500-600 mm per year, in the mountains - 1000-1200 mm per year. The entire country from west to east is crossed by the Balkan Mountains, where vertical climatic zones are clearly visible. The highest point is Mount Musala (2925 m).

Flora

Forests occupy up to 30% of the territory of Bulgaria. Here you can find oak, hornbeam, beech, elm, ash, pine, spruce, and fir.

Fauna

The forests are inhabited by deer, fallow deer, roe deer, chamois, and wild boar; in the mountains - wolves, foxes, hare, ferrets, badgers, and gophers. A large number of birds. Reptiles are common in the south of the country. In the Black Sea they catch mackerel and flounder, in the Danube - stellate sturgeon, pike perch, and carp.
Rivers and lakes. Rivers Danube, Iskar, Maritsa.

Attractions

Monument to the Russian-Bulgarian brotherhood in arms on the Shipka pass, basilica in Nessebar, round church in Preslav, large basilica in Pliska, churches of Peter and Paul in Veliko Tarnovo - a city-reserve, monastery of the 10th century. in Rila, monastery, mosque and minaret in Plovdiv, St. George's Cathedral, St. Sophia Cathedral, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of the 19th century, erected in honor of Russian soldiers who gave their lives for liberation from the Turkish yoke, Jamia Mosque, Boyana Church, Archaeological Museum .

Useful information for tourists

In the warm season, in addition to windsurfing, guests can enjoy water skiing and sailing, scuba diving and catamarans, rowing and all kinds of regattas. In spring and autumn, some luxury hotels have heated seawater pools. Long water excursions along the shores of Golden Sands have a magical appeal, especially for children.
Speed ​​limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside and 120 km/h on expressways.

Geography: The state, with a total area of ​​110.9 thousand sq. km, is located in the southeast of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders on Romania in the north, Turkey and Greece in the south, and Serbia and Macedonia in the west. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea.

Big cities: Sofia, Ruse, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna.

Time: It lags behind Moscow by 1 hour.

Natural and climatic conditions: About 1/3 of the country is occupied by mountains. In the center of the country is the Stara Planina mountain system (Balkan Mountains), dividing the territory of Bulgaria into two parts: the northern plain (Danube Plain) and the southern, more mountainous. In the southwest of the country there is the Rila-Rhodope mountain range: the Rila mountains (Mount Musala - 2925 m - the highest point of the Balkan Peninsula), Pirin and Rhodopes. The climate is temperate continental, in the south it is transitional to Mediterranean.

OK. 30% of Bulgaria's area is covered with forests, ch. arr. broad-leaved (beech, oak); pine, fir and spruce grow in the mountains. The natural conditions of Bulgaria create favorable conditions for the development of tourism and the resort industry.

Political system: According to the 1991 Constitution, it is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president, elected by direct vote. The highest legislative body is the unicameral People's Assembly. Executive power is exercised by the government headed by the prime minister - the leader of the party that collected the majority of votes in parliamentary elections.

Administrative division: 8 areas.

Population: 7.54 million people (2003). The majority of the population are Bulgarians (89%), there are also Turks, Gypsies, Greeks, Armenians, Russians, etc. Urban population - 71%. Population density 68.0 people/km2.

Language: Official Bulgarian, Russian, English, German are also used.

Religion: Orthodoxy, there are Sunni Muslims.

Economy: Bulgaria is an industrial-agrarian country. GNP per capita. $1,334 (1995). Developed mining of coal, oil, natural gas. The leading industry is mechanical engineering. Traditional export goods - canned fruits and vegetables, tobacco, wine, essential oils(1st place in the world in the production of rose oil). An important role traditionally belongs to foreign tourism (over 8 million people per year). Large ski resorts- Borovets, Pamporovo, seaside - Golden Sands, Albena, Sunny Beach, etc.

Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGL), equal to 100 stotinki. In circulation there are coins and banknotes in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 leva, as well as banknotes of 10, 20, 50 leva. Since July 1, 1997, the lev has been strictly “tied” to the euro in the ratio of 1 lev per euro.

Main attractions: The country is known throughout Europe for its picturesque landscapes, seaside resorts on the Black Sea coast, an abundance of historical monuments and colorful folk rituals.

Sofia, one of the most ancient cities in Europe, has many wonderful examples of church and historical architecture. Most city tours begin from the walls of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Alexandronevsky Lavra, 1882 - 1912), built in honor of the 200 thousand Russian soldiers who died in the struggle for the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish rule. This is the largest cathedral in Bulgaria (area - 2600 sq. m., height - 52 m., 12 gilded bells are installed on the cathedral bell tower, the largest of which weighs 11,758 kg.) and the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans. In the crypt of the cathedral there is a Museum of Icons, and the interior of the cathedral is striking in its richness architectural forms, majestic paintings, icons and mosaics. Behind the cathedral is the Foreign Art Gallery building with an extensive collection of European, African and Oriental art.

Across the square from the cathedral is the Church of St. Sophia (VI century), which gave its name to the whole city. During Turkish rule, minarets were added to the temple and for a long time it functioned as a mosque, until two earthquakes of the 20th century destroyed the minarets, after which the mosque was closed. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located near the walls of the church.

One of the most interesting sights of the capital is the Church of St. George, built of red brick on the site of a Roman rotunda - oldest temple Sofia. On the inside of the dome there are frescoes, the earliest of which date back to the 10th century, and on the outside there are remains of the streets of ancient Serdica (the Roman name of the city). Under the Rila Hotel, the ruins of a Roman residence with excellently preserved mosaics were discovered.

On the People's Assembly Square there is the majestic building of the National Assembly (1884) with an equestrian statue of the Russian Emperor Alexander II installed in front of it. Along Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard you can walk past the Russian Church of St. Nicholas (1913) and the Museum of Natural Sciences, to Batenberg Square, considered the center of Sofia. On the square there is the building of the former mausoleum of Georgiy Dimitrov, opposite which are the National Gallery of Art and the National Ethnographic Museum in the building of the former Royal Palace (1887). In the park east of the mausoleum there is the People's Theater named after. Ivan Vazov (1907) in the Baroque style. On the western side of the square, behind the building of the Bulgarian National Bank, lies the Buyuk-Jami Mosque (1496). In the area of ​​Largo Street there are the National Archaeological Museum, the Church of St. Peter of Samothrace (XIV century), the Bani Bashi Mosque (1576), the Sofia Synagogue (1909), an underground shopping center and market (1911).

The most beautiful boulevard in the city is Vitosha Boulevard, which runs from the Easter Church, past numerous underground shopping galleries, to the Square of the Palace of Culture with a monument to the 1300th anniversary of Bulgaria. The nearby building of the Palace of Justice (1936) houses the National Museum of History - one of the largest historical museums in the Balkans, famous for its collection of gold finds from the 4th century. BC e. from excavations at Panagyurishte. The museum also houses the only copy of the Bulgarian medieval chronicle - the "History" of John Skylitzes - the most important source of the history of the first Bulgarian Kingdom.

On Graf Ignatiev Street lies the Church of the Holy Seventh, rebuilt from the Black Mosque (1528). Also interesting is the Botanical Museum in the National botanical garden, Zoological Museum in the Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, Museum of the History of Sofia, city Art Gallery in Central Park, building of Sofia University. Kliment Ohridski and Sofia mineral baths, built on the site of Roman baths.

Boyana is a suburban neighborhood in the southwest of the city, adjacent to the foot of Vitosha (2290 m). In its upper part there is the small Boyana Church, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with magnificent wall paintings from the 13th century. Mount Vitosha itself is a traditional place for winter recreation; there are many mountain hotels, ski lifts, observation decks and a fairly developed recreation infrastructure.

119 km. to the south of the capital lies the famous Rila Monastery (10th century) - one of the spiritual centers of the country. On its territory there are such unique structures as a five-story tower (1335) with the Church of the Transfiguration, church gates (XIV century, now kept in the historical museum of the monastery), a monastery library with 16,000 volumes, Khrel's Tower, the five-domed Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary , the original “magernitsa” - a monastery refectory, etc. Not far from Sofia, in the city of Pernik, there are the ruins of a Byzantine fortress, and in Bankya (17 km west of the capital) - the best of the Bulgarian thermal resorts with odes of a “universal” composition. In the valley of the Struma River (76 km southeast of Sofia) there is the Zemen Monastery (13th century) with the unique Church of St. John the Evangelist, famous for its beautiful paintings.

To the city-reserve Veliko Tarnovo, ancient capital The Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1393), it is definitely worth visiting the Royal Palace, the picturesque Patriarchal and Baldwin towers in the Tsarevets fortress on the hill of the same name, near which the “Sound and Light” show is regularly held, telling about the history of the city. Of interest are the picturesque quarter of Varusha, the monastery of St. Peter and Paul (XIII century) and Kapinovsky, as well as the churches of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica (XI century, the oldest in the city) and St. Forty Great Martyrs (1230). The city is home to the University. Cyril and Methodius is the second largest in the country, as well as excellent museums of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and the Renaissance Museum, numerous art galleries and many colorful houses in the national style.

In the vicinity of the city lie the picturesque spurs of the Stara Planina ("ancient mountain") with many caves and excellent conditions for rock climbing and trekking. At the top of the 1306-meter Shipka Pass there is a monument to Russian troops and Bulgarian volunteers, who became famous during the heroic defense of the pass from Turkish troops in August 1887. In Shipka itself (13 km from the pass) there is a unique church (1896 - 1902), whose domes are cast from cartridges collected on the battlefield near the pass (the largest bell weighs 12 tons). The remains of Russian soldiers are buried in the church crypt, and on 34 marble slabs inside the temple the names of Russian and Bulgarian soldiers who fell at Shipka and near Kazanlak are carved.

7 km. north of Veliko Tarnovo is the carefully restored Transfiguration Monastery (14th century) with wonderful frescoes by Zograf and icons by the master Dospevski (1864). On the other side of the river gorge. Yantra lies the Holy Trinity Monastery (1847), and 12 km. south of Veliko Tarnovo there is a unique monument of medieval architecture - the Kilifarevo Monastery (1348 - 1350, restored in 1718) with the beautiful Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (restored and rebuilt in 1840), the chapels of St. Ivan Rilski and St. Theodosius of Tarnovsky, which are decorated with icons of the best representatives of the Trevno school of painting.

3 km. to the northeast of Veliko Tarnovo lies the ancient village of Arbanasi, famous for its colorful stone houses XVI - XVII centuries, as well as the churches of the Nativity of Christ and the Archangel (XVII century), considered monuments of national culture. And 30 km. from the city there is a balneological complex "Voneshcha Voda" with own sources healing mineral water.

Gabrovo is the world “capital of laughter” and a city interesting for its traditions, 49 km away. from Veliko Tarnovo. In Etyre (9 km from Gabrovo) there is an ethnographic museum under open air, where you can get acquainted with traditional folk crafts, unique folk cuisine and rituals.

Shumen - Big city, lying between Varna and Veliko Tarnovo and one of the centers of the Bulgarian Middle Ages. Here you should definitely visit the famous brewery, the Shumen fortress (XII - XIV centuries, now a museum), the regional Historical Museum, as well as the Tombul Mosque (1744), considered the largest and most beautiful in Bulgaria, behind which is the Turkish covered market .

20 km. southwest of Shumen lies Preslav (821) - former capital The first Bulgarian kingdom. The most famous building of ancient Veliko Preslav was the round Golden Church (908, recently restored), interesting are the Archaeological Museum, the ruins of the fortress walls of the citadel, the royal palace and the monasteries of the city.

Madara National Historic Site is 18 km away. east of Shumen. The city is famous for its caves, as well as the 25-meter rock relief “Madara Horseman” (8th century), a Roman villa and the walls of a medieval fortress on top of a cliff. In Pliska (681), the restored Eastern Gate (9th century), the fortress of the Great Palace, the Palace Church, the Inner City and the ruins of the huge three-nave Great Basilica (865) are interesting.

In Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, be sure to see the Trimontium (“three hills”, old town) - a Roman forum, a theater with 3 thousand seats and the Hissar Kapija gate (2nd century AD), as well as the Dzhumaya mosque ( XV century) and Imaret (1445), the Cathedral of Constantine and Helen (1832) with a beautiful gallery of icons, the ruins of the Thracian city of Eumolpias (II century BC), the amphitheater of Philip II of Macedon, as well as unique churches - St. Nedelya, St. Dimitar and St. Marina (1854). The Plovdiv Archaeological Museum is considered one of the best in the country; the Ethnographic Museum in the Koyumdzhoglu House with an excellent collection of national costumes, the art gallery in the Baklanov House and the National Revival Museum are also good.

30 km. from Plovdiv is the Bachkovo Monastery (Bachkovo Manastir, 1083) with the beautiful churches of the Archangel Michael (XII century), the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1604) and the chapel of St. Nicholas, the interior of which was painted by the famous Zachary Zograf.

To the north-west of Plovdiv lies the resort area of ​​Hisarya (Isarya, Roman Augusta), famous medicinal properties its mineral springs (+27 - 51 C) since the times ancient Rome. Nowadays there is a large balneological complex with numerous baths and fountains with mineral water. Also notable are the ruins of Roman buildings and the Turkish fortress of Hissar.

In the southwestern part of the Pirin Mountains there is the "most Small town in the country" - Melnik, famous for its wine cellars, the rocks "Melnik Pyramids", the Rozhen Monastery and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Valuable monuments of the Rozhen Monastery (XII - XIII centuries) are the Church of the Holy Mother of God, the paintings of the southern wall (1661). ), as well as unique carved wooden iconostases and lecterns.

Bansko is a cute little town, the administrative center of the Pirin region. The town is known for its well-preserved Bulgarian Revival architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries. In the center is an ancient church, with a very natural stork’s nest, ancient bells. Narrow cobbled streets, traditional peasant houses from natural stone. Many small, family-run restaurants - "mekhina". Eh...nothing compares to the wonderful Bulgarian mekhina, its good food, lovely owners and...amazingly low prices!

In Bansko there are a great variety of family pensions and hotels of various levels and classes. This is not the place for seekers of luxury and stardom, but for true connoisseurs of the beauty of this region, comfort, warmth and peace, I can only say - Good luck getting to Bansko!

The town is surrounded on all sides by powerful mountains topped with snow caps. The landscapes are amazing!

Arbanasi, Bozhentsi, Etar, Zheravna, Koprivshtitsa, Kotel, Melnik, Nessebar, Sozopol, Tryavna and Shiroko-Lyka are considered museum cities of world importance. After restoration, a unique monument of ancient Roman architecture is open to visitors - the Sostra fortress in ancient city Troyan, located in central Bulgaria on the banks of the White Osam River. Also interesting here is one of the main attractions of the country - the Troyan Monastery (XVI century), and ceramic workshops (they also brew rakia here, one of the best in the country).

Varna is one of the oldest cities in Europe and the third most populous city in Bulgaria. Magnificent beaches, prestigious tourist complexes, a modern international airport, the largest seaport in the country, a yacht club and warm mineral springs of the Varna region have turned the city into the summer capital of the country.

Founded back in 585 BC. e. by the Greeks under the name Odessos, the city is famous, first of all, for two complexes of Roman baths - those lying on Khan Krum Street date back to the 2nd - 3rd centuries, and the baths in the port area are a historical monument of the 4th century. Well preserved stone walls, spacious halls, palaestra with an area of ​​840 sq. m. and a unique heating system, which makes these buildings (by the way, the third largest in Europe) worthy of special attention. Behind the thermal baths in the port area is located beautiful church St. Anastasia (1602), and to the southwest, in the area of ​​the Seaside Gardens (Marine Park) with exotic plants, lie the Maritime Museum, one of the symbols of the city - the “Bridge of Wishes”, Zoo, Terrarium, Aquarium (1911). ) and the only Dolphinarium on the Balkan Peninsula (1984). The Marine Park itself, stretching for 8 km and having an excellent layout with many shady alleys, is one of the most charming places in the city.

The center of Varna is the Cathedral of the Holy Dormition of the Virgin Mary (Katedrala, 1880 - 1910), famous for its frescoes and unique wood carvings in the design of the patriarchal throne and iconostasis. The Museum of History and Art (Archaeological) is located on an area of ​​2000 square meters. m. in the beautiful building of the former Maiden Gymnasium, and is considered the largest museum in the city. Its unique exhibition includes more than 55 thousand exhibits, from the early Paleolithic era to the late Middle Ages, including a unique gold collection from the 5th - 6th millennia BC. e.

Lying on a small rocky peninsula north of Pomorie and Burgas, the city-museum of Nessebar (Nessebar, ancient Messembria) is one of the oldest cities in Europe, under the auspices of UNESCO. There are many small churches, among which the most attractive are the Church of St. Stephen (11th century) and the Church of the Holy Virgin, famous for its miraculous icon, as well as a charming old mill, narrow cobblestone streets, a gentle sea, quaint white cliffs and wide sandy beaches , bordered by sand dunes.

35 km. south of Burgas, on a small picturesque peninsula, lies the most ancient Greek colony on the shores of the Black Sea - Sozopol (Apollonia, 610 BC). The old and new (Harmanit) parts of the city are separated by a green park, and traditional gardens surrounded wooden houses with bay windows and wooden stairs on a limestone foundation, are business card resort Two sandy beach in the east provide excellent conditions for seaside recreation, and a huge variety of restaurants, taverns, cafes, bars and discos, a small archaeological museum with a rich collection of Greek vases, original architecture of buildings, picturesque churches - St. Theotokos, St. Cyril and Methodius, St. Zosima, the tiny Church of the Virgin Mary and the local Art Gallery allow you to make the most of your holiday. The upper reaches of the Ropotamo River flowing through Sozopol have been declared a natural reserve.

Wineries, excellent products and regular wine exhibitions have made Bulgaria one of the centers of “wine” tourism.

Close attention in Bulgaria is paid to the development of health tourism, which is facilitated by the presence of over 2 thousand mineral water sources in the country. One of the traditional balneological resorts of the country is Velingrad, which has on its territory more than 80 sources of mineral water, which can be grouped into four categories, depending on their temperature and chemical composition. The local water temperature varies from +26 C to +95 C, and chemical composition so diverse that, as they say here, almost all diseases can be treated with water, just by changing the sources.

Historical sketch: The first people appeared here more than 500 thousand years ago. In 4 thousand BC. e. settlements of the ancient Aryans arose. One of their tribes, the Thracians, in the 5th century. BC e. created their own state here - Thrace. Thrace, located at the junction of modern Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, was part of the ancient Greek states as a province, and in the 1st-4th centuries. - Roman Empire. The legendary gladiator Spartacus was a Thracian. In the 7th century the Slavs who came from across the Danube assimilated local population and entered into an alliance with a small group of proto-Bulgarians, forming the First Bulgarian Kingdom in 680. At the turn of the 9th-10th centuries. it owned almost the entire Balkan Peninsula. Christianity was introduced in 865. But already in the middle of the 10th century. The Bulgarian-Slavic state was conquered by Byzantium. As a result of the uprising raised by the brothers Peter and Asen, the country regained its independence. The Second Bulgarian Kingdom collapsed at the end. 14th century, conquered by the Turks. The Muslim yoke lasted for almost 500 years and was destroyed after Turkey's defeat in the war with Russia (1877-78). In 1908, the independent Third Bulgarian Kingdom arose. In the First World War, Bulgaria became an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary. During World War II, Bulgaria sided with Germany (in March 1941 it officially joined the Axis countries). After defeat in World War II, Bulgaria fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR, and power passed to the communists. From the beginning 1990s the construction of a democratic society began. Bulgaria became the first post-communist country where the former ruling dynasty returned to power (albeit through democratic means). In 2001, Simeon of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, leader of the Monarchist Party, won the parliamentary elections. But the positions of the Socialist Party (former communists) are also strong. Bulgaria is a candidate for NATO and the EU.

National holiday: March 3 (Day of Liberation from the Turkish Yoke).

National domain: .BG

Entry rules: A visa is not required for Russian tourists. It is enough to have a valid passport and a travel agency voucher.

Customs regulations: The import and exchange of currency is not limited, there is no mandatory exchange.

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Useful information for tourists about Bulgaria, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Bulgaria, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Bulgaria.

Geography of Bulgaria

A state in South-Eastern Europe, in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Washed by the Black Sea. It borders Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Macedonia and Romania. Most of the country is the Stara Planina, Sredna Gora, Rila mountain ranges with Mount Musala (the highest point of the Balkan Peninsula, 2925 m), Pirin, and the Rhodope Mountains. In the north of Bulgaria there is the Lower Danube Plain, in the center there is the Kazanlak Basin, to the south there is the vast Upper Thracian Lowland. Forests occupy about a third of the territory, mostly deciduous.

State

State structure

Parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president. Elected by direct vote for a term of five years.

Language

Official language: Bulgarian

Mostly they speak Russian well. In use - English, German and French.

Religion

More than 85% of the country's inhabitants are Christians Orthodox rite, 12% of the population are Sunni Muslims. Jews make up 0.8%, Catholics - 0.5%, Protestants - 0.5%.

Currency

International name: BGN

One lion consists of 100 stotinki. In circulation there are coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 leva, as well as banknotes of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 leva.

History of Bulgaria

The mild climate and rich nature of Bulgaria have long attracted settlers. More than 500 thousand years ago, the first people appeared here, and in the 4th millennium BC settlements of ancient Aryans arose. One of their tribes, the Thracians, finally settled on the territory of modern Bulgaria and in the 5th century BC managed to create their own state, which became the birthplace of the legendary leader of the gladiators - Spartacus.

The most powerful powers of the ancient world spared no effort to conquer the small kingdom. This land had to survive the invasions of Greek colonists, Scythians, Persians and Macedonians. In the 1st century AD, the Romans managed to conquer the Thracians and establish dominance over them for 400 years. From the end of the 4th century, during the era of the Great Migration of Peoples, raids by neighboring tribes resumed, which contributed to a change in the ethnic composition. In the 7th century, the Slavs who came from across the Danube assimilated the local population and, from the second half of the 7th century, entered into an alliance with a small group of proto-Bulgarians (part of the Turkic-speaking people displaced by the Khazars from the lower reaches of the Kuban). Thus, in 680, the First Bulgarian Kingdom was formed. At the turn of the 9th–10th centuries, it reached its greatest power, undividedly owning almost the entire Balkan Peninsula. But already in the middle of the 10th century, the Bulgarian-Slavic state entered a period of severe crisis and at the beginning of the 11th century lost its independence, submitting to Byzantium. A successful uprising against the enslavers, raised by the brothers Peter and Asen, returned independence to the country. The Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed.

The invasion of the Mongol-Tatars, exhausting competition for hegemony in the Balkans with Serbia and Byzantium, and internal turmoil led to the collapse of the kingdom and its conquest by the Turks at the end of the 14th century. The darkest period of Bulgarian history began - the Muslim yoke, which lasted almost 500 years. It was destroyed after Turkey's defeat in the war with Russia (1877–1878) thanks to the joint actions of the rebels and the Russian army. In 1908, the independent Third Bulgarian Kingdom arose. However, Germany tried to tear him away from Russia and dragged him into the First world war on your side. Despite the defeat in the war, the ruling circles of the state remained focused on Germany and entered into an alliance with Hitler. A new defeat in World War II made it possible to establish a republic in the country, Bulgaria fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR, and all power passed to the communists. With the collapse of the USSR in the early 1990s, this long-suffering land began the construction of a democratic society.

The mild climate and rich nature of Bulgaria have long attracted settlers. More than 500 thousand years ago, the first people appeared here, and in the 4th millennium BC settlements of ancient Aryans arose. One of their tribes, the Thracians, finally settled on the territory of modern Bulgaria and in the 5th century BC managed to create their own state, which became the birthplace of the legendary gladiator leader - Spartacus....

Popular attractions

Tourism in Bulgaria

Where to stay

Tourist resorts in Bulgaria are characterized by a special climate, developed hotel facilities, excursions and entertainment. Hotels in Bulgaria are among the most inexpensive in Europe. All local hotels correspond to the standard European classification: from one to five stars. Most hotels in Bulgaria are three and four star, which makes the country accessible for holidays to people with any financial capabilities.

Certification of hotels in the country is mandatory. Thanks to this, the quality of service always corresponds to the stated stars. Stars are assigned not only to hotels, but also to campsites, motels, and rental apartments, depending on the level of services provided. Each accommodation option in Bulgaria has its own star rating threshold, namely: private hotels, motels and rental apartments cannot have more than three stars. In turn, campsites and rural cabins are rated between one and two stars.

One-star hotels in Bulgaria have minimal amenities. Mandatory conditions for a hotel of this class are: availability of parking, telephones, safes and postal service. Unlike one-star hotels, the traditional requirements for two-star hotels include the mandatory presence of a minibar and TV in the room, as well as laundry and dry cleaning services. Three-star hotels in Bulgaria have a children's playground, a conference room, as well as the possibility of car rental and guide services. In addition to the services available in hotels of a lower class, a four-star hotel must have a fitness center, a swimming pool and parking. Also an unspoken standard are room service, five meals a day and Internet in the room. A five-star hotel, according to Bulgarian standards, is a hotel complex that includes conference rooms, shops, restaurants, bars, a gym, a spa center, a beauty salon and 24-hour room service.

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Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Bulgaria

In the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula is Bulgaria - one of the most attractive tourist countries. The sun and azure sea, magnificent beaches and mineral springs, mountains and beautiful ski slopes, important historical monuments and traditional Bulgarian cuisine will make your holiday varied and unforgettable. Natural attractions and rich cultural and historical heritage introduce you to the history and national traditions of this colorful country.

The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, is one of the oldest European cities. Since ancient times, it has been known for its mineral and thermal springs. One of the most impressive sights not only of the capital, but of the whole country is the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, located on the Sofia square of the same name. A beautiful architectural structure made of granite and white stone was erected in honor of the liberation of Bulgaria. Among most interesting places The city's highlights include the Hagia Sophia, the Church of St. Nicholas, the Rotunda of St. George, the Cathedral of the Holy Week (Holy Resurrection), the Banya Bashi Mosque, the Buyuk Mosque (Archaeological Museum), the Dragalevo Monastery, the National Historical Museum and the National Art Gallery of Bulgaria.

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and one of the most beautiful cities in the Balkans. Its history goes back about three thousand years. The ruins of various ancient buildings have been preserved here to this day: an amphitheater, a Roman market, a stadium, a basilica, and baths. The old part of the city is surrounded by the remains of a stone Thracian fortress. The Imaret and Dzhumaya mosques have been preserved since the Ottoman rule. Also among the attractions of Plovdiv are the Church of St. Marina, the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, the Church of St. Dimitar, as well as the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museums.

The city of Varna (and its surrounding areas), located on the Black Sea coast, is not only a popular Bulgarian resort, but also an important cultural center. Here you can see a huge number of important historical sights and museums. The symbol of the city is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin, located on Cyril and Methodius Square. In Varna there is a wonderful Seaside Park “Morska Gradina”, which houses the Palace of Culture and Sports, a zoo, a dolphinarium, a planetarium, an Aquarium and a Museum of Nature. Also of great interest is the Archaeological Museum, the pride of which is the collection of gold items from the 6th millennium BC. In the suburbs of Varna, it is worth visiting the Evksinograd Palace, surrounded by a chic park, the “Stone Forest” valley with impressive columns (up to 6 m high), which are 50 million years old, and the Aladzha Monastery.

Bulgarian cuisine

Dishes of Bulgarian cuisine are similar to dishes of Armenian and Georgian cuisines. Particularly close to Bulgarian are dishes such as kharcho soup, piti, kebabs, lula kebab, basturma, chakhokhbili.

Many Bulgarian national dishes are cooked on a skara - a large oven with a metal grate. Kebapcheta, lamb skewers, kebabs, fillets, chickens, chops, zrazy stuffed with sweet peppers, and game dishes are cooked on the oven grates.

In Bulgarian cuisine, fresh and pickled vegetables are widely used; all kinds of vegetable dishes and side dishes are prepared from them. Bulgarian chefs perfectly combine vegetables with fish, meat, flour, egg and dairy products.

It is typical for Bulgarian cuisine to use sour milk, curdled milk, feta cheese and kashkavala cheese (sheep cheese) for preparing cold appetizers, soups and main courses.

When using cheese as food, Bulgarian chefs often heat-treat it. To do this, the cheese is mixed with butter, wrapped in parchment paper and heated. When hot, feta cheese acquires a pleasant taste and aroma, becomes tender, soft and juicy. Among the first courses, chicken broth with egg yolk, vegetable soup with pasta, zucchini soup, pork soup with apples, chorba, lamb soup, kharcho soup, rassolnik, pureed soups from various vegetables and meat products and tarators are very popular (cold soups with sour milk).

Common second courses include lamb, veal and pork with cabbage, pork cutlets, lula kebab, steaks, fillets, kebabs and lamb stews, gyuvechi - dishes made from meat, rice and vegetables, plakia - dishes made from vegetables, onions, garlic and seasonings, stewed with the addition of vegetable oil, yakhni - stewed meat with vegetables and onions or only vegetables with onions, kebabs - pieces of meat fried on a spit, and of course, kebapcheta - short sausages made of minced meat, fried on a grill over hot hardwood coals trees, cabbage rolls, stuffed tomatoes and zucchini, omelettes. Salads (from tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, sweet peppers, green beans, green salad) are served separately for the second meat courses.