Visit Bulgaria

29/09/2024

23/09/2024

🔸The Panagyurishte treasure is one of the most exquisite Thracian treasures found on the European continent. It was accidentally discovered on December 8, 1949, near the town of Panagyurishte, Bulgaria.

This ritual drinking set was most likely used in the home of a Thracian ruler and consists of 9 vessels: an amphora rhyton, 3 rhyton cups in the shape of female heads, three rhytons with animal heads depicted on the front, and one phiale. The total weight of the treasure is 6.164 kg, and it was made in the late 4th - early 3rd Century BC.

One of the most interesting vessels in the treasure is undoubtedly the amphora rhyton, weighing 1695.25 g and standing at a height of 29 cm.

26/07/2024

Located on the north slopes of the Balkan Mountains, Belogradchik Fortress, also known as Kaleto, dates back over 2,000 years to Roman times.

Near town of Belogradchik, it is one of Bulgaria's best-preserved strongholds and a cultural monument of national importance.

25/07/2024

29 Interesting Facts About Bulgaria:

1. Bulgaria is a country located in Southeast Europe, bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.
2. Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria, known for its ancient history, Orthodox churches, and vibrant cultural scene.
3. Bulgarian is the official language of Bulgaria, written in the Cyrillic alphabet, which was developed in the First Bulgarian Empire during the 9th century.
4. Bulgaria has a rich cultural heritage influenced by Thracian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations, contributing to its diverse traditions and customs.
5. The national flag of Bulgaria consists of three horizontal stripes of white, green, and red, with a coat of arms featuring a crowned lion rampant over crossed oak branches.
6. Bulgaria gained independence from the Ottoman Empire on March 3, 1878, and later became a republic in 1946 after years of monarchy.
7. The Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Rila Mountains, is one of Bulgaria's most iconic landmarks, known for its medieval architecture and vibrant frescoes.
8. The Cyrillic alphabet, used in Bulgaria and several other Slavic countries, was developed by Saints Cyril and Methodius, Byzantine scholars, in the 9th century.
9. Bulgaria is known for its picturesque landscapes, including the Balkan Mountains, Rhodope Mountains, Danube River, and the sandy beaches along the Black Sea coast.
10. The Bulgarian cuisine features dishes such as banitsa (a pastry filled with cheese or meat), shopska salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and feta cheese), and kebapche (grilled minced meat).
11. The Thracians, an ancient civilization inhabiting present-day Bulgaria, left behind impressive archaeological sites and artifacts, including the Thracian tombs and gold treasures.
12. Bulgaria has a diverse religious landscape, with Orthodox Christianity being the predominant religion, alongside Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism.
13. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church plays a significant role in Bulgarian culture and history, with numerous ancient monasteries and churches spread throughout the country.
14. Bulgaria is famous for its traditional folk music and dance, including the horo (circle dance), performed during festivals, weddings, and other cultural celebrations.
15. Vitosha Mountain, overlooking Sofia, is a popular destination for hiking, skiing, and outdoor activities, offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
16. Bulgaria has a rich tradition of craftsmanship and artistry, producing exquisite rose oil (from the Valley of Roses), pottery, woodcarving, and traditional textiles.
17. The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast is a major tourist destination, known for its sandy beaches, resorts (such as Sunny Beach and Golden Sands), and historical towns like Nessebar.
18. The Boyana Church near Sofia is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its medieval frescoes, depicting scenes from the life of Jesus and Christian saints.
19. Bulgaria celebrates its National Day on March 3rd, commemorating its liberation from Ottoman rule and the restoration of Bulgarian statehood.
20. The Belogradchik Rocks, a natural rock formation in northwest Bulgaria, are famous for their bizarre shapes and red-tinted limestone cliffs, resembling ancient fortresses.
21. Bulgaria has a temperate continental climate, with hot summers, cold winters, and distinct seasonal changes, ideal for agriculture and viticulture.
22. The Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin, dating back to the 10th century, is one of Bulgaria's best-preserved medieval fortifications, overlooking the Danube River.
23. Bulgaria has a rich literary tradition, with notable authors such as Ivan Vazov, Pencho Slaveykov, and Elias Canetti contributing to Bulgarian literature and culture.
24. The Rose Festival in Kazanlak celebrates Bulgaria's rose-growing heritage, featuring parades, music, dance, and the picking of roses for the production of rose oil.
25. Bulgaria has a strategic location in the Balkans, connecting Europe and Asia, and has been a crossroads of civilizations and trade routes throughout history.
26. The Bulgarian wine industry dates back to ancient times, producing a variety of wines, including Mavrud, Melnik, and Gamza, from grape varieties indigenous to the region.
27. Bulgaria has a developing tourism industry, offering cultural tours, outdoor adventures, spa resorts, and eco-tourism opportunities in its diverse natural landscapes.
28. The Madara Rider, an early medieval rock relief carved into a cliff near Shumen, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and symbol of Bulgaria's early history and statehood.
29. Bulgaria has made significant strides in economic development, infrastructure improvement, and integration into the European Union since joining in 2007.

23/07/2024

Bulgaria 🤍💚♥️
One of the earliest societies in the lands of modern-day Bulgaria was the Neolithic Karanovo culture, which dates back to 6,500 BC. In the 6th to 3rd century BC the region was a battleground for ancient Thracians, Persians, Celts and Macedonians; stability came when the Roman Empire conquered the region in AD 45. After the Roman state splintered, tribal invasions in the region resumed. Around the 6th century, these territories were settled by the early Slavs. The Bulgars, led by Asparuh, attacked from the lands of Old Great Bulgaria and permanently invaded the Balkans in the late 7th century. They established the First Bulgarian Empire, victoriously recognised by treaty in 681 AD by the Eastern Roman Empire. It dominated most of the Balkans and significantly influenced Slavic cultures by developing the Cyrillic script. The First Bulgarian Empire lasted until the early 11th century, when Byzantine emperor Basil II conquered and dismantled it. A successful Bulgarian revolt in 1185 established a Second Bulgarian Empire, which reached its apex under Ivan Asen II (1218–1241). After numerous exhausting wars and feudal strife, the empire disintegrated and in 1396 fell under Ottoman rule for nearly five centuries.

costumes by Svetla Dimitrova and ARIES UNIQUE

06/07/2024

02/07/2024

July Morning is an annual Bulgarian 🇧🇬 festival celebrated on the night before and the first day of July.

In the days leading up to July 1st, people from across Bulgaria travel to the Black Sea coast to greet the first rays of the sun. Participants gather around fires, play music, and wait for the sunrise. There is no mandatory ritual or ceremony for this tradition; everyone decides how they want to spend the night before July 1st. Many locations host concerts featuring both professional and amateur bands, and camping at these celebration spots is also very popular.

📸 BNT

29/10/2023

THE BULGARS

The Bulgars became known to European historians as a nomadic horse people on the steppes around the Caspian Sea and the River Volga. Their original home may have been somewhere in central Asia. After the defeat of the Huns, the Bulgars settled around the Sea of Azov, from where they raided the Byzantine Empire when they were not employed by it as mercenaries.

The Bulgars came into conflict with the Avars in the second half of the sixth century AD and were greatly diminished but resurged under the leadership of Kubrat to create a short-lived state. After Kubrat's death around AD 642, the Bulgars fragmented into five factions. One of these went west with the Lombards, whereas others joined the Avars and the Khazars.
The Volga Bulgars gained control over a region important to trade on the River Volga and survived until conquered by the Mongols in the 1200s.

The modern state of Bulgaria gains its name from the Bulgars who migrated there and created an empire that allied itself with Byzantium. Over time, the Bulgars mingled with the people of the region, who were mostly of Slavic or Thracian descent, and embraced Christianity. The Bulgar state survived until the eleventh century, when it became part of the Byzantine Empire, and reappeared later. Its latest resurgence was at the beginning of the twentieth century, when Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire.

Source ~ The Dark Ages by Martin J Dougherty

27/09/2023

Many of the traditional festivities in Bulgaria include clothes that are specially dressed for the celebration. 🥀🇧🇬

23/06/2023

Bulgaria’s best archeological sites: Hlyabovo Dolmen

Centuries before the ancient Thracians started burying their noble dead in impressive tombs, they used megaliths – dolmens, or house-like structures built of heavy rock slabs. The result of this practice was thousands of dolmens in Bulgaria's southeast. Now, most of these are gone, destroyed by treasure hunters and farmers who saw them as obstacles to large-scale agriculture.

The dolmen at the Hlyabovo village is a reminder of what has been lost.

Date: 9th-8th centuries BC

📸 by Anthony Georgieff

13/06/2023

The best value holiday destinations for Brits in summer 2019 have been revealed - get ready for major travel inspiration

29/05/2023

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, Nessebar, St Vlas, things to do in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria beach holidays, Sunny Beach things to do

24/05/2023

May 24 - Day of Bulgarian Letters and Culture

21/03/2023

8 Interesting Facts about Bulgaria 🇧🇬

🇧🇬 Bulgaria's oldest town is Sozopol
It is believed to be one of the earliest settlements in Bulgaria and was first mentioned by Herodotus in 480 BC.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria is the second country in Europe with the highest number of natural mineral springs. Bulgaria is heaven for SPA.

🇧🇬 There are 9 UNESCO sites in Bulgaria. 7 cultural sites (Rila Monastery, Boyana Church, Ancient City of Nessebar, Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, Madara Rider and the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo) and 2 natural sites (Pirin National Park and Srebarna Nature Reserve).

🇧🇬 Bulgaria is one of the oldest European countries established in 681 AD.

🇧🇬 The Yogurt In Bulgaria Is Among The World’s Best

🇧🇬 Bulgaria produced as much as 85% of the world’s rose oil. 🌹The roses are grown in Bulgaria’s Rose Valley (Kazanlak) are an essential ingredient in perfumes production.

🇧🇬 The first electronic computer was invented by John Vincent Atanasoff who has a Bulgarian origin.

🇧🇬 World’s first digital wristwatch was developed by the Bulgarian, Peter Petroff.

06/01/2023

In Eastern Christianity, Jesus' baptism is commemorated on 6 January, the feast of Epiphany. Epiphany (Yordanovden in Bulgarian) is one of the major Christian holidays in .
After the festive liturgy the priests, accompanied by hundreds of people start a festive procession from all churches. They go to the nearest river and the priest throws a cross into the water. It is believed that the one who succeed to take out the cross from the water will be happy and rich all year round. So a lot of enthusiastic men jump into the ice cold waters of the river and try to catch the cross. After that people continue celebrating all day long.

06/01/2023

21/12/2022

The Varna Necropolis - The oldest gold treasure and jewelry in the world, dating from 4,600 BC to 4,200 BC, was discovered at the site.

17/10/2022

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