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ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL OF IN DISTRICT

Table of contents

INTRODUCTION

1. Geographical location 2. Socio-economic and demographic characteristics 3. Infrastructure, environment 4. accessibility, mobile connections 5. Education in tourism 6. Health 7. Analysis of tourism resources 7.1. Natural tourism resources 7.1.1. Relief 7.1.2. Climate 7.1.3. Water 7.1.4. Vegetation and wildlife 7.2. Anthropogenic tourism resources 7.2.1. Cultural and historical heritage 7.2.2. Archaeological sites 7.2.3. Architectural reserves 7.2.4. Temples, monasteries, religious sites 7.2.5. Traditions, customs and crafts 7.2.6. Cultural activities and events, festivities 7.2.7. Galleries, museums, historical landmarks, arts and crafts centres 7.2.8. Theatres, cinemas, libraries, cultural institutions 7.3. Facilities for recreation and tourism, tourism infrastructure and services 7.3.1. and tourist agency activity 7.3.2. and - tourist sites 7.3.2.1. Accommodation - hotels, , tourist apartment complexes, villages, tourist villages and villas; family hotels, , room-and-board, holiday houses, guest houses, guest rooms, guest suites, bungalows and places; tourist cottages, tourist training centres and hostels, tourist canteens, buffets; 7.3.2.2. Places for dining and entertainment (independent and adjoining accommodations) - restaurants, fast food restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars; 7.3.2.3. Balneotreatment (medical SPA) centres, spas, wellness centres and thalassotherapy centres - independent and adjoining accommodation places; 7.3.3. Tourist information centres; visitor centres for presentation and exhibition of the local natural and cultural heritage;

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7.3.4. Other kinds of facilities - equestrian centres for amateur horse riding and routes for horseback riding; aqua parks, water attractions and adventure parks; entertainment and thematic parks; golf courses; places for observation of wild animals and ; 7.3.5. Hunting farms under the Hunting and Game Protection Act; 7.3.6. Wineries; 8. Tourism offers - types of tourism and

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INTRODUCTION

Burgas district is picturesquely located in the southern parts of the Bulgarian coast. It includes Eastern Balkan , and Burgas lowlands. A unique variety of nature, history, culture and folklore can be found here. The area is characterized by beautiful seashores, easily accessible mountains with unique flora and fauna, unique historical monuments, traditions and customs. The location of the of Burgas determines the development of the area as a major transport hub in the district - the existence of , railway station, the seaport, Trakiya highway. Natural tourism resources in the area preseuppose the development of: • Marine recreational tourism - beaches, sunshine, favourable climate, sea water; • Spa treatment - Burgas mineral baths; climatic treatment - all year round on the Black Sea, Rosenetz park, Burgas mineral baths; • Mud treatment - ; • Ornithological tourism - "Pomorie Lake" conservation Centre, "Poda" Conservation Centre, shelter for birdwatching "Atanasovsko lake", "” conservation centre • - Strandzha Natural Park, Burgas wetlands, Rosenetz park, ecopaths, Ropotamo reserve, Eastern . A characteristic feature of the ecological and other kinds of is the requirement for offering a diverse and highly individualized product. Areas with preserved natural resources are promoted through its development. • The area of Strandzha disposes of significant resources for climatic treatment in bioclimatic respect. The healing properties of the climate in the coastal area, combined with the beaches and the sea, are the reason for the announcement of as a climatiz seaside of national importance and of as a climatic of local importance. is a mountainous climatic resort of local importance for climatic treatment of allergic and pulmonary diseases. • Hunting tourism - the area disposes of well-organized hunting grounds and fields for hunting a variety of game and birds with valuable trophies.

Anthropogenic resources in the district allow for year-round development of cultural, archaeological, rural, route-cognitive, religious, folklore, gastronomic, wine and other types of tourism.

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1. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Burgas district is located in southeastern part of on an area of 7748.1 sq. km. (6.9% of the area of Bulgaria) and is the second largest after district. To the east the district has a wide outlet on the Black Sea (224 km), to the south it borders with Republic of , to the west with the districts of and and to the north - with the districts of Varna and .

The largest bay on the Black Sea - Burgas bay, is located in the district. The lakes Burgas, Atanasovsko and Mandra, Pomorie, are located near the beach.

The situation of the district on the Black Sea coast has the greatest significance for the development of marine recreational tourism since the beginning and more actively since the middle of last century. This is also a prerequisite for the development of ports, fishing, , water sports, etc.

The northern boundary of the district passes along Stara Planina. The connection of the district with the Northeastern planning area takes place through the low and comfortable passes of Stara Planina (Varbishki, Rishki, Dyulinski, , etc.).

Road and railway lines to Sofia (via and ), to Varna and Ruse, to and (through and ), the panorama road Constanta - Varna - Burgas - Malko Tarnovo - , etc. are of significance for the organization of , transfers and liaising with the other administrative districts in the country;

The geostrategic position of the district is a factor for the development of both domestic and . Roads from to the Near East and Asia; from Europe to the Middle East and Asia; from , , and are crossing here. There are 13 municipalities in the district: , Burgas, , , Malko Tarnovo, , Pomorie, Ruen, , Sredetz, , and Tzarevo.

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Figure Map of Burgas district with the municipalities in it

The favourable location of Burgas district in the southeastern part of Bulgaria with an outlet on the Black Sea creates conditions for tourism and development of transport corridors to the world with relatively better climate in comparison with other districts in the country.

2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Burgas district is the second largest in Bulgaria. The area of the district is 7 753.14 sq. km. The geostrategic location of the district is a factor of national importance, which is widely recognized by various countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Burgas is one of the districts, best developed economically in Republic of Bulgaria. Burgas is the fifth largest district in Bulgaria in terms of GDP per capita, equal to 90% of the national average. Sofia (capital) and the , Varna and rank before Burgas. Field generates 5.22 % of the gross domestic product of Bulgaria.

The main part of the added value in the district is created by the services sector, followed by industry and agriculture. The main subfields of industry are: chemical and petrochemical industry, food processing, electronics, machinery, textile, as well as logging and wood processing.

The economy of the district is characterized by poor diversification. Oil processing is best developed among industries, which occupies nearly 70% of industrial production. Food processing and machine building industry come next. Transport, logistics, agriculture are

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well-developed. Tourism and trade are crucial for the economy of the district. 30% of the beds in the country in 2015 and more than a third of the revenues from overnight stays are concentrated in Burgas.

"Services" sector has the greatest share in the development of Burgas district - 63.8% of the gross added value, generated in the district. It is followed by the industry with 31.4% and agriculture is last with 4.8 %. A tendency towards an increase in the share of services at the expense of industry and especially at the expense of agriculture has been observed in recent years.

The chemical and petrochemical industry is the dominant industry in the economic business card of Burgas district. It provides 84.5% of revenues in the district with a tendency towards an increase of its share. The main representative of the chemical industry is "Lukoil Neftochim" JSC. The refinery is the largest petrochemical complex in Southeastern Europe and produces over 40 products.

The food processing industry is the second most important structure-determining sector in the economy of Burgas district. Wine, brewery, dairy, meat, fish, milling, etc. industries are represented. There are of importance for the development of tourism in the district.

Wine production is extremely important for the development of wine tourism in Burgas district. Wineries and factories on the territory of Burgas district are extremely competitive in the production of alcoholic beverages on the internal market. Special brandies are offered in high quality and at prices lower than those of competitors. The competition in production of wines is relatively greater. Wineries and factories in Burgas district have very good positions on foreign markets. The implement successful export in the following countries: , , CIS countries, Great Britain, , the , Canada, Israel, the and the Baltic countries.

Studies in recent years have also shown changes in consumer demand, which is a prerequisite for the improvement of quality and development of products according to the new trends. Own vineyards are created, which improved the quality of the raw material - the grapes, and thus the quality of the wines too. Moreover, development in the following areas is planned: registration of best-selling brands abroad, entering new markets through participation in international wine fairs, creation of new products according to the trends and national characteristics of the particular market and end-user requirements and creation of products aimed at the younger generation - cocktails, wine with low alcohol content, etc.

"Pobeda" JSC - town of Burgas is the largest biscuit manufacturer in the country, the production of chocolate products and sweets takes about 50% of the market of biscuits in Bulgaria, whereas most of the products have been awarded gold medals at the International Fair in the town of Plovdiv.

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The production of vegetable salads and prefabricated foods is relatively new to the Bulgarian consumer and its market is developing dynamically. The expected increase in the consumption of prefabricated foods domestically and for the catering in the region, as well as in the country, provides premises for assumption that the market of these products will not be saturated in the coming years to an extent, causing fierce competition among manufacturers. "Denito", "Sarches" and "Aldi” are the competitors in the region.

The production of fabricated and prefabricated meat of waterfowl and poultry is developed in Burgas district. Poultry, grilled and packaged meat is produced, eggs are produced too. Dairy factories in Burgas district produce packaged milk, yoghurt, cheese, etc. Most of the dairies are limited to sales of dairy products in the domestic market. Many warehouses for storage and freezing of agricultural products were built in recent years.

Agriculture is well developed in the Burgas district. Agriculture is specialized in the cultivation of grain, oil-bearing and technical crops. Viticulture and wine production are traditional for the area. Wines from the area of Sungurlare, Karnobat, Pomorie are world- famous. Grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Red Misket, Mavrud, Ruby, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, traditional for Bulgaria, as well as international - Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Bouschet, Ugni Blanc and Rhine Riesling are produced here. Various fruits and vegetables are also produced - cherries, apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.

The population of Burgas district numbers 420 840 inhabitants, which represents 5.7 % of the population of Bulgaria. It includes 13 municipalities with 257 and villages. The distribution of the population in Burgas district is very uneven. Half of the population of the district is concentrated in the town of Burgas, while the other half is unevenly distributed in the area of the district. Municipalities in the southeastern part of the district have the smallest number of residents - Malko Tarnovo, Primorsko and Tzarevo. The most sparsely populated area in the country is also located there - Strandzha - 10 inhabitants/km2. The main trends in the demographic processes in Burgas district are that the population of the district has negative growth but the indicators are more favourable than the national average. This indicator for 2009 is positive in towns - 0.9, and in villages - -4.6. The resultant tendency towards depopulation of villages is preserved. The municipalities in Burgas district, which have a positive natural growth, are four - Ruen, Aytos, Nesebar and Burgas. The municipalities of Malko Tarnovo, Karnobat, Sozopol, Sredetz, Kameno and Sungurlare have the largest negative growth. Although Burgas continues to attract people because it offers better opportunities for work, in recent years a tendency towards strengthening the migration wave to smaller cities with tourist potential, which offer good conditions for work and life, is observed. Seasonal employment in tourism, construction, trade and transport is of great importance for the population.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

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The geographical location of Burgas district in the southeastern part of Republic of Bulgaria makes it a border zone for the country, which both separates and connects it with the Republic of Turkey and with the rest of the Black Sea countries and the whole world by way of the Black Sea. Its border location makes it crossroads of transport routes of the highest class, conducting national and international traffic. It has the advantage of being served by one of the ten international transport corridors - ITC No. 8 (Burgas - Sofia - - - Vlora - Barry) in its section on Bulgarian territory (Burgas - Aytos - Karnobat - Sliven - - Stara Zagora - - Plovdiv - - Sofia - ). The corridor is marked by Burgas border control point, the highway E-773 in the European categorization, Trakiya highway, 8th major railway line and border control point and Stanke Lisichkovo. ITC No. 8 conducts traffic in the direction east - west by converging with ITC No. 4 (10) (in Sofia - Plovdiv section) and intersecting with the ITC No. 9 ( - - - Alexandroupolis), through which it connects with ITC No. 7 (Black sea - river),

One of the important hubs of ITC No. 8 is the pair of centres Burgas - Karnobat, which are considered related in terms of the national infrastructure, given the distribution of various infrastructure functions between them - Karnobat as a strategic railway centre and Burgas as road, air, sea and telecommunications centre.

In the direction east - west the territory is served by national transport corridors in the direction Burgas - Sofia. The main transport corridor along Burgas - Sredetz - Yambol direction is formed by II and III class roads, while the direction Burgas - Aytos - Karnobat - is formed by a first- class road and railway line, carrying both national and international transport traffic.

In the direction north - south the territory is served by national transport corridors in the directions Malko Tarnovo border checkpoint - Duran Kulak border checkpoint and Malko Tarnovo border checkpoint - Ruse border checkpoint. The main transport corridor Malko Tarnovo border checkpoint - Burgas - Varna - Duran Kulak border checkpoint on the territory of Burgas district is formed by roads Class I and partially by a railway line /north of Burgas/, carrying both national and international transport traffic, while the direction Malko Tarnovo border checkpoint - Sredetz - Karnobat - Shumen - Ruse border checkpoint is formed by roads Class II and III, using the same railway track on the territory of Burgas district.

1124.6 km of national road network (NRN) Class I, II and III has been built on the territory of Burgas district, which represents 3.8% of the total road network of the country (15% of the territory of Bulgaria). Roads of Class II and III are represented more strongly than the national average in the district and Class IV less strongly. Motorways have not been built yet. The density of NRN is generally higher than the national average. The density of the Class IV road network is lower than the national average and given the high mountainous part of the area (where the road network is primarily Class IV), this is an indicator of the underdeveloped road network of the lowest class. Simultaneously the density of Class III road network is significantly higher than the national average. It could be concluded that the Class III road network is developed better at the expense of the Class IV road network, but given the terrain, the development of Class II road network is rather Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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retarded, as indicated by the density of the district in comparison to the national.

Class IV road network, under the Law on roads, is public municipal property and as such is managed and operated by municipalities. It serves the traffic in the municipalities and in some cases between them.

Two of the three parallel directions of the country - 8th main railway line - Plovdiv - Filipovo - Burgas from km. 215+000 between the stations Straldzha and Tserkovski - up to 293+500 km Burgas station, as well as 3rd main railway line Iliyantzi - Karlovo - Karnobat - - Varna ferry - from 0+000 km Karnobat station to 75+807 Struya stop between the stations Tarnak - Asparuhovo pass through Burgas district. Both lines serve not only national but also international currents. Except in the main European lines, the two lines are also categorized in the European agreement for combined transport, which creates opportunities for the district to use modern economical and most environmentally friendly (after water transport) transport technology. Three big stations are located in the area of the district. Burgas railway junction, including the stations Burgas, Burgas West, Vladimir Pavlov and Burgas railway yard; Druzhba station and Karnobat station, which are train forming and provide a significant percentage of the freight, travelling on the country’s rail network. The railway network is relatively evenly located on the territory of the district; the southeastern end is an exception - Sredetz municipality, Sozopol, Tzarevo and Malko Tarnovo.

One airport - Burgas Airport has been built on the territory of Burgas district; it is a part of "Fraport Twin and Star". It is the largest in the country and second by intensity, with the biggest number of sunny days. The Air Traffic Control Centre controls the movement of the aircrafts over about ¼ of the territory of the country. Burgas Airport is situated in a picturesque bay on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast, 10 km northeast of the town of Burgas. Its specific geographical location - on the border between Europe and Asia, determines its strategic importance. The service potential of Burgas Airport strongly influences the deployment of transport links, tourism and trade relationships between partners from the East and West. The airport has been built on an area of 2 604 300 sq. m., whereas one of the largest centres for handling cargo on the functions on its territory. The runway for taking off and landing, with length of 3200 m., serves the heaviest aircrafts of the type Boeing 747 Jumbo and An 124 Ruslan.

In 2003 an airport was built in Primorsko by "" AD. The runway of the facility has dimensions 910 m / 300 m with asphalt surface layer, designed for small 10-12 seat aircrafts. It is used mainly for private planes, for and other sports. The Balkan Aviation Festival was held there in 2011.

In 2013 a new Marine Passenger Terminal was opened in the port of Burgas, which accepts passengers from cruise ships, as well as tourists, who travel to St. Anastasia island. The passenger terminal has 2700 m2 built-up area and can accept about 100 000 passengers annually. Burgas Marine Passenger Terminal is an important prerequisite for the development Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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of cruise ship tourism, which is observed to attract a growing interest in the country in recent years. The architectural design of the new building provides an opportunity for holding exhibitions, concerts, exhibits and other cultural events there. The Marine Passenger Terminal is part of the project "Super Burgas - Zone for public access." It is associated with changing existing spaces in the port of Burgas - the free public access area, in which marine, land (road) and railway transport will be grouped together.

The good transport of Burgas district is complemented by the availability of marine transport. Six of the municipalities in the district have an outlet on the Black Sea. Maritime transport is served by 8 public transport ports and 3 special purpose ports on the territory of Burgas district.

In terms of electrical energy Burgas district falls within the Electricity Transmission District of Burgas. There isn’t a single settlement on the territory of Burgas with status of a populated area, which is not electrified. All populated areas are supplied with water.

The town of Burgas is the only populated area in the district, which has a central heating system. The service is performed by “Central Heating” EAD, town of Burgas. The company has 100% state participation.

The environment in Burgas district is characterized by relatively low levels of harmful emissions in the atmosphere, as well as with increasing capacity of the treatment plants. In many of the seaside municipalities, which are tourist destinations, the capacity of treatment plants has increased considerably. In the past several years waste water treatment plants in Primorsko, , , Pomorie, Sozopol, Tzarevo and other places inside the district were built and expanded. This enhanced significantly environmental quality in the district. The sewerage network has density of about the national average. Like in many other areas in the country, villages are mostly affected by the lack of sewerage. There aren’t any populated areas not supplied with water. High-quality water for household needs is supplied. There is presence of extensive ecologically clean regions and a low level of pollution of the air, water and soil in the district. The area is one of the richest in terms of biodiversity in Bulgaria and Europe. It has a good environment monitoring system, as well as adopted Programmes for environmental protection policy implementation.

4. TRANSPORT ACCESSIBILITY, MOBILE CONNECTIONS

The geographical position of the district is very favourable and transport to the main tourist sites in the district is fully available by the international airport, ports, rail transport and road access.

Burgas is an important transport centre, which -European Transport Corridor No. 8 (Durres-Skopje-Sofia-Burgas) passes through. The international roads passing through the

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district are E-87 and E-773. The biggest Black Sea port in the country is in Burgas, plus the only oil port in Bulgaria, as well as fish ports, the ports of Sozopol, Nesebar and Tzarevo are located here. Marinas have been built in the holiday towns, the most attractive are those in , Sozopol, . Burgas International Airport is available, with a cargo terminal with annual capacity of over 2 million passengers. Burgas Customs is an important factor in commercial activities in the district. The railway stations in Burgas and Karnobat have been expanded. There are large enterprises for automobile transport, large storage areas - located mostly near the port of Burgas, Burgas Free Zone in the district.

The district disposes of an international port and airport, as well as of five other ports. The length, and consequently the density of the road network, increased slightly in 2006 with the opening of Lot 5 of "Trakia" highway, after which it generally remained unchanged. The completion of the rehabilitation of the road Burgas - Malko Tarnovo at the end of 2012, which is the main transport link of the area with Republic of Turkey, has had positive influence. The rehabilitation of the railway connection to Plovdiv, which should be completed in 2014, will also contribute significantly to the improvement of the transport links of the district and the shortening of travel time. The construction of a high-speed road, connecting Burgas and Varna ("Black Sea” highway) is also a key infrastructure project, which has a great importance for the transport links in the district.

Burgas district has the third highest proportion of households with access to the Internet - after Sofia (the capital) and almost equally with Plovdiv in 2011. The number of places with free internet access in the centre of Burgas has increased and a project for free internet connection in parts of the public transport is being implemented. Telephone network, as a basic infrastructure for integrated communication services, is crucial to the development of each territorial community. Most of the district’s area is covered by mobile operators networks.

5. EDUCATION IN TOURISM There are two universities in Burgas district - Burgas Free University (private) and University "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” - town of Burgas (state), whereas only the state university has the specialty "Tourism" with degree "Professional Bachelor" and "Bachelor". Meanwhile Burgas district is the biggest employer in the field of tourism. 13% of the registered tour operators and travel agencies are here, at the same time over 90% of foreign tour operators in Bulgaria work on its territory. Rated tourist sites in Burgas district represent about 30% of those in the country. The biggest tourist resort in Bulgaria - Sunny Beach, Elenite holiday village, holiday village, a number of hotels, restaurants and entertainment places, attractions and a variety of accommodation from Obzor to . In this respect the shortage of qualified tourism staff here is the most serious. Both nationwide and in Burgas district the development of specialized tourist infrastructure has significantly outpaced the development and education of staff, working in tourism. And here is the major problem, staff shortage. The observations and results from some studies of the country show on the one hand a shortage of skilled personnel and the other - a shortage of

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professional and personal qualities of specialists and managers, working on various levels in tourism. Each year high schools in Burgas district, specialized in preparing executives for the , offer and enroll about 440 students, with average class size in Burgas and Pomorie 29 students and that of classes in Nesebar 26 students. After graduation most students start work in their specialty and some of them continue their education in universities in the same or another specialty. In the College of Tourism at the University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” - town of Burgas about 200 students are admitted annually (in full- and part-time form of study) and the applicants here are more than 2000. All graduates start careers in their profession and do not stay unemployed for long. Bulgaria has very well trained staff, who leave the country during the holiday season because of the attractive remuneration in our neighbouring countries and resorts. Shortage of well- qualified and specialized staff - executives in managerial positions is already felt. The majority of offered employment for these positions is the fixed-term form of employment contract, i.e. only for the season. The analysis of the information on vacancies in connection with the tourist season in 2014 in the employment offices of Burgas region shows that a total of 5809 jobs for the southern Black Sea coast have been announced by 307 employers with vacancies for 127 types of positions.

5.1. ANALYSIS OF THE LABOUR MARKET IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM Tourism staff is one of the most important factors of the tourist service. The question of tourism staff in recent years is becoming the number one problem for the tourist industry, as well as for all economic subjects of tourism. Human resources, as a combination of education, knowledge, skills, experience, creativity, motivation and loyalty, are a strategic factor for the development of tourism. The product quality of no other sector of the economy is so highly dependent on human resources. This dependence is explained with the nature and uniqueness of the tourist product. The issue of human resources in tourism has a socio- economic importance to the country as a well-established tourist destination. A study of the state of human resources and the attitudes of the owners of tourist sites in Burgas district, conducted in 2013, established the following results:  shortage of qualified middle managers and staff for all tourist activities and professional fields;

 a strategy for training and staff development is lacking in many of the surveyed tourist sites;

 inconsistency between the criteria for selection and evaluation of staff and the offered working conditions, remuneration and further stimulation of employment in tourism activities;

 owners of tourist sites do not propose any ideas for solving the problem of seasonality in tourism;

 lack of a system of relations and interaction between the state and public organizations in tourism, education institutions in tourism and owners of tourist sites.

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The sustainable development of tourism in recent years imposes the definition of priorities and specific measures for improvement of the condition of human resources. The issue of staff is naturally associated mainly with the system of education, training and retraining. It should provide the necessary knowledge and skills and create service standards yet in the learning process. The demand for educated and skilled staff is great. There is no other sector of the economy reporting such a large deficit of staff. There is an increasing interest in tourism specialties, offered in various educational institutions. The high demand for tourism programmes and the limitations for admission to public schools imposed by the state allowed for the emergence of private colleges, which offer training in tourism specialties. The quality of education and training is not up to the level of the needs of the practice in tourism. Poor skills of staff in tourism are already a major problem for the competitiveness of , replacing poor infrastructure, which was the biggest obstacle in front of the development of successful tourism until recently. If infrastructure and lack of access to tourist attractions, routes and destinations were the major obstacle for making the tourist industry leading in our economy until now, the lack of highly educated staff in the sector is what currently hinders the successful development of tourism in the country. Employers need not only service staff, but also staff for managerial positions. A new position, which has appeared, is "Manager of Guests Relations". This indicates that hoteliers already consider not only the material and technical base, but also the quality of customer service. Animators and tour guides are also staff sought after. The big shortage is determined by the increased number of new hotels on the Black Sea coast.

5.2. HISTORY OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN BURGAS Currently the College of Tourism - Burgas, as a part of “Prof. Asen Zlatarov” University, is the successor of the Institute of International Tourism, established with a Decree of the Council of Ministers of 14.12.1966 on the preparation of specialists for the developing international tourism. The first academic year was 45 years ago with the admission of 200 students in three major specialties. In 1976 the Centre for Improvement of Managerial Personnel in International Tourism was created, which was later renamed to Institute for Enhancement of the Qualification of Staff in Tourism and Leisure (IEQSTL). In 1979 both schools were housed in the present building of the College of Tourism - Burgas. The building was built under the UN program for training and qualification of tourism personnel. Students have at their disposal: a , a , a cafe, a day bar, providing actual conditions for holding practical exercises and gaining experience. The building has three specialized classrooms in: organization of the service in restaurants and entertainment places, bartending, Commodity Science, Technology of Culinary Production, language training and a tv studio. Students and trainees have at their disposal: a gym, tennis courts, three large halls (each with over 100 seats) for lectures and over 30 training rooms for teaching in groups of 15-20 people. Until 1989 these educational institutions were managed administratively and economically by BATO and educationally and methodologically by MES. This system provided the opportunity the needs of personnel to be explored and their training, qualification and retraining to be ensured. The educational institutions fulfilled their main function: to prepare the staff, needed for the tourist activity. There were meaningful ties and interactions between the state body managing tourism, the educational institutions and the consumers of staff. The curricula and programmes were prepared in accordance within the degree of qualification and education. In 1990 IEQSTL merged with all its assets with the College of Tourism "" (CT). In 1996 CT merged with the newly created University "Prof. Zlatarov". The merger of CT in the structure of University "Prof. Asen

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Zlatarov" had a negative impact - all ties between the state body managing tourism, the educational institutions and consumers of staff were destroyed, the funds for practical training, curricular training and organization and control of internships were cut, changes were made in the curriculum, which affected the quality of teaching.

6. HEALTH

The number of available hospital beds for Burgas district in 2012 was 53.6 per 10 000 people, which is above the average for the country. Medical establishments for hospital care in Burgas district are 20, plus an independent dialysis centre - 9 multiprofile hospitals for active treatment, including 5 multiprofile hospitals for active treatment with state and municipal participation and 4 private multiprofile hospitals for active treatment; 1 specialized hospital for active treatment - for pneumophtysiatric diseases; 2 specialized hospitals for active treatment with private capital - one in cardiology and one hospital for eye diseases; 1 specialized hospital for further and continuous treatment; 4 specialized hospitals for rehabilitation; 3 medical establishments with a hospital by profiles: oncology, skin and venereological diseases and psychiatry; 1 dialysis centre with private capital. An establishment for medical and social care for children functions in Burgas district. The specialized medical care is provided by 466 medical establishments, including medical centres - 38, diagnostic and consultative centres - 5, medical diagnostic centres - 1, diagnostic centres - 1, specialized individual and group medical practices - 367, specialized practices in dentistry - 6, medical diagnostic laboratories - 17 and medical technical laboratories - 31. The concentration of specialized medical care in the town of Burgas and the lack of sufficient number of specialists in the other municipal centres is a significant problem in Burgas district. This makes access of patients to specialized medical care difficult and delays the diagnostic and treatment process on the one hand and on the other hand prevents the conduct of preventive examinations. The organization of the emergency outpatient care is not efficient enough either. Emergency medical care is provided by a Centre of Emergency Medical Care with 11 branches. The outpatient medical care is provided by 1072 medical establishments for primary medical care, specialized medical care and a Centre of Emergency Medical Care. Registered physician practices for primary medical care on 31.12.2012 were 257, including individual - 243 and group - 14. In the past year the medical establishments for primary medical care have decreased by 15. The number of registered medical establishments for primary outpatient medical care is gradually decreasing, mainly at the expense of those in remote areas with unfavourable conditions. 76.6% of medical establishments for primary medical care are registered in the municipal centres. Dental care is provided by 349 dentist practices, including 327 individual and 22 group practices. 94.8% of medical establishments for primary dental care are registered in the municipal centres.

7. ANALYSIS OF TOURISM RESOURCES a. Natural tourism resources i. Relief

The terrain of the area is varied. Lowlands with altitude up to 200 m and hilly lands prevail. The lowland belt is represented mainly by Burgas lowland, Karnobat and Aytos plain -

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suitable for mechanized land cultivation. About one-third of the land is occupied by hilly heights, which are suitable for growing vines and fruit trees. The northern parts of the area are occupied by ridges of the Eastern Balkan Mountains, which exceed the 1000 m slightly and do not constitute a significant barrier to communication with the areas of Northeastern Bulgaria. Strandzha mountains are situated in the southern part of the district, its highest peak is Gradishte - 710 m. in height. The mountains are covered with deciduous forests and grasslands and create conditions for the development of forestry, farming and tourism. The terrain and the alluvial-marsh soils, rich in humus, favour the development of agriculture and have a big impact on its specialization. The predominant lowland-hilly terrain facilitates the construction of the urban network, of the railway and road infrastructure. Burgas district includes attractive parts of the Eastern Balkan Mountains, the northern spurs of Strandzha , the eastern parts of the Upper Thracian Valley, Burgas Lowland, etc. To the east it includes the Southern Black Sea coast, which is the most attractive for development of tourism. The indented coastline creates good opportunities for the construction of ports. The wide and long beach strip, the small islands and peninsulas, the lagoons, firths and sand dunes favour the development of marine recreational tourism. The beaches on the southern Black Sea coast, cliffs and bays are extremely attractive. The largest bay on the Black Sea - Burgas bay, as well as numerous small, secluded coves along the coast - Sozopol, Kavatzite, Sveta Paraskeva, Zigra, Stomopolu, Dyavolski cove, etc. are comprised by the district.

ii. Climate

The climate of Burgas district is determined by the joint influence of the Black Sea, the Balkan Mountains and Strandzha Mountain. The annual rainfall is 500 l/m² for Sozopol and up to 927 l/m² for Malko Tarnovo. The maximum rainfall for the regions of Burgas, Karnobat, Aytos, Sungurlare, Ruen and Kameno is in the months of May and June and for the region of Strandzha in the months of November and December. The minimum rainfall for the entire area is in the month of August. The biggest quantity of rainfalls in Burgas have fallen in 1931 - 962 l/m², and the smallest quantity in 1945 – 285 l/m². The average annual temperature of the air is from 11.3°C for the municipalities of Ruen and Malko Tarnovo up to 13.3°C for Sozopol. For the area of Burgas it is 12.7°C. For the entire district it is coldest in January - from 0.5°C in Karnobat up to 3.2°C in Tzarevo. For the area of Burgas the average monthly temperature in January is 1.8°C. The hottest for the entire district are the months of July and August. The highest air temperature of 42.9°C was measured in Aytos and the lowest - 30,2°C in Sredetz. The winter in the district is relatively milder, in the lowland part without snow most days, but in the Balkan Mountains and Strandzha Mountain the snow cover lasts from 20 to 46 days. The is cool and starts later. The summer is hot and the autumn warm and long.

The climate in Burgas and the area is characterized as subtropical Mediterranean, with relatively uniformly distributed rainfall throughout the four seasons. The summer is long and dry with maximum daily temperatures above 20°C, the winter - moist and mild. The average annual temperature is 13-14°C, allowing the warmth-loving evergreen flora such as the maritime pine, laurel trees, olives, holm and some palm varieties to be grown in the region.

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The climatic conditions in Burgas district are determined by its geographical location. Its territory combines several climatic influences, whereas the most clearly expressed one is the transitional . The influence of the Black and the is tangible. The town of Malko Tarnovo was declared a climatic resort of national significance in 1967. All populated areas on the Black Sea coast are extremely favourable for climatic and sea-therapy. Sveti Vlas is a resort village, located in the southeast foot of the Balkan Mountains, in immediate proximity to the beach. The sunny days here are from one to two times more than along the Northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The presence of air currents between the sea and the mountain gorge determines a remarkable natural phenomenon and purifies the air from any dust and other irritants. The natural sea aerosol, together with the crystal clear mountainous air, are natural benefits with powerful healing effect on bronchial asthma, etc. chronic lung diseases.

iii. Water

The waters of the Black Sea are salty, the sea temperature allows bathing from April to November, making the Southern Black Sea coast very attractive.

There are thermal mineral springs with different temperatures and chemical composition in the area, which are important for the spa and sea tourism.

The mineral springs near the town of Burgas are an important resource for tourism in the district; spa resorts have developed around them - Burgas Mineral Baths. The spa resort is near Banevo quarter, with capacity 36 l/sec. and 410 t C. It is recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, neurological, gynecological diseases, thrombophlebitis, etc. The healing mud from Atanasovsko lake is also used. Spa tourism is developing in the town of Pomorie too.

The region of Strandzha Mountain is the richest in water throughout the region of Thracia and Strandzha Mountain. The river flow formed here has a module from 4 to 15 dm³/s per 1 km², in the highest border parts of Strandzha more than 15 dm³/s. The maximum quantity of rainfalls for the district fall in this area - around and over 1000 mm annually.

The periods of low water level are long but they are most steadily expressed during the period from July to October, whereas the minimum monthly flow is in August. Despite the low water level, the rivers do not dry out with few exceptions due to their significant feeding with groundwater. The region has favourable conditions for accumulating abundant groundwater.

The first “Museum of Salt” in was built near Pomorie Lake. Healing mud is produced in the southern part of the lake for the sanatoriums in the town and the northern part is used for traditional salt production, preserved for longer than 2000 years. The lake became a protected area in 2001, it is an important ornithological site of national importance, Ramsar wetland of international importance since 2002 - announced because of its uniqueness, one of the two lagoons in the Black Sea area, turned into salt pans. Several species of the Red Book

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of Bulgaria are found here, e.g. Trachomitum venetum - the largest find in the country, Tatar spurge and sea wormwood. The ornithological wealth is the most precious. The lake welcomes the first autumn migratory birds along "" and sea pelicans and storks flying over the sea can be seen from the dykes. Pomorie Lake is a good example of coexistence of traditional human activities, such as salt and mud production and rich biodiversity.

Burgas is surrounded by three different lakes by nature - Atanasovsko, Vaya and Mandra. Together with the Pomorie Lake, they form the largest complex of natural wetlands in the country, with a total area of 9500 hectares. Traditional salt pans in Bulgaria and the Black Sea are preserved only here - those of Atanasovsko and Pomorie Lake. 340 of all 400 species, listed for the country, are found in the lakes. Because of their uniqueness the four lakes have been declared Ramsar wetlands of international importance and the wealth of bird species makes them important ornithological areas.

The unique combination of sea, lakes, mountains and rivers, the exotic vegetation and the diversity of animal and plant species, together with the traditions and the authentic culture and customs, provide various opportunities for the development of tourism.

iv. Vegetation and wildlife

Burgas district is one of the richest in biological species. 64 kinds of , 298 kinds of birds, 18 kinds of , 9 kinds of amphibians, 190 kinds of Black Sea and freshwater fish, approximately 25 000 kinds of insects and other invertebrates, over 3000 higher plants and more than 5000 lower plants and fungi can be found on its territory as a result of the extremely diverse climatic, geological, topographical and hydrological conditions. The area is among the richest in this respect in Bulgaria and well above average standards for the regions in Europe. The flora and fauna in the district include a significant number of endemic species and subspecies. Endemic plant species constitute about 5% of all the flora, which is a relatively high percentage for Europe. For the invertebrate this rate is 8.8 for those species, which are not insects, and 4.3% of the insects. More than 600 plants, 480 invertebrates, more than 1400 insects, 25 kinds of fish, 2 reptiles, 68 birds /14 of which are in IUCN World list of protected species/ and 6 large mammals, including the Black Sea seal, endemic subspecies of dolphin, chamois, wolves, etc. are rare species of the flora and fauna. Over 290 species of birds, 250 species of plants, 280 species of animals and over 800 species of trees have been declared protected species on the territory of Burgas district. According to the Red Book of Bulgaria 12 species are extinct, 94 are endangered and over 280 are rare. Over 350 species of birds have been found on the territory of Burgas district. Over 80 of these are included in the Red Book. The network of protected areas is well-developed in Burgas district, as one natural park (out of 10 for Bulgaria) - "Strandzha", 6 reserves, 3 maintained reserves fall within its territory. Тhe first reserve in Bulgaria - "Silkosia" (declared such in 1933), 42 protected areas, 40 natural landmarks are located here. The total number of protected areas is 92. Burgas district is the richest in terms of the number of protected areas in the Southeast Planning Region.

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With its area of 1160 sq. km. Strandzha natural park is the largest protected area in the country, having preserved many species and habitats, unique to this part of Europe. This makes it one of the most important natural areas on the continent - it has no analogue in the country by the number of natural habitats (120), the most significant of which are Strandzha forests from the Tertiary with laurel-type undergrowth, coastal dense forests, the natural Strandzha waters and their estuaries, rare Pontic dunes and numerous caves (which are known for their diversity of many species of bats). The wealth of species in the park is maintained primarily thanks to the clear waters and the old natural deciduous forests, which occupy 61.1% of old forests in the country. 1666 species of higher plants have been established in the park, which constitute 47.6 % of the species composition of the Bulgarian flora. 63 species of them are relict and 7 species are only found in this part of Europe. The fauna diversity is represented by 41 species of fish, 9 species of amphibians, 23 species of reptiles (70% of these species for the country), 260 species of birds (two-thirds of the Bulgarian avifauna), 134 species of which nesting in the park, 62 species of mammals (68% of the species composition in the country) and a huge, still insufficiently studied wealth of invertebrates.

Some of the most vulnerable natural areas - wetlands are located in Burgas district. One of the most valuable wetland complexes in the country is situated here, that of Burgas Lakes, which includes four lakes (Atanasovsko, Pomorie, Burgas and Mandra) with a total area of about 9000 km 2, whereas all or parts of them have been declared protected areas. The lakes, together with Ropotamo complex (in the municipalities of Sozopol and Primorsko) are included in the List of the International on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention). Bulgaria is one of the first countries, which committed to the conservation of these sites of international importance yet back in 1975. In 2002 the area of Ramsar wetlands in the district was significantly expanded. Other wetlands of conservation importance are the rivers , Rezovka, , Dyavolska and the smaller rivers, which flow into the lakes or directly into the Black Sea. The birds, which can be found here during the spring and especially the autumn migration, during wintering (December to March) and nesting (April to July) are of greatest value in the wetlands.

Ropotamo Ramsar wetland includes 7 protected areas different in status, which are particularly important for the preservation of the valuable habitats and species, which are only found here (sand dunes, dense forests, estuaries and firths and rare plant and animal species).

The second largest European migration route - Via Pontica passes along the Black Sea coast of Burgas district, which determines the role of the district for preservation of the European populations of white stork, honey buzzard, common buzzard, etc. All European birds of prey pass from here.

In accordance with the requirements of the Law on Protected Areas and the Regulation for the preparation of management plans (MP), elaboration and adoption of MP is required for each

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protected area. This is the main document, regulating the actions related to nature conservation and efficient use of natural resources.

Burgas district encompasses a great variety of natural resources, valuable archaeological treasures and cultural and historical monuments. It has spa and bioclimatic resources, forest resources, sandy beaches and dunes for the development of recreational activities.

Forests, which cover about 35% of the total area of the district, are of special importance for the area. Over 70 percent of them are natural forests.

In addition to the wide variety of plant and animal species, Burgas district is characterized by the presence of examples of almost all major habitats in Europe. It has unique and representative communities and ecosystems, which are extremely valuable in terms of biological diversity and include meadows, marshes, peat bogs and lakes, old oak trees, Mediterranean and Sub-Mediterranean plant communities, riparian bushes and forest vegetation, important internal and riparian wetlands, sand dunes and other unique habitats along the Black Sea coast, maritime, littoral and benthic communities in the Black Sea itself. The biggest natural park "Strandzha" in the country with an area of 116 136 ha., announced such in the beginning of 1995, is located in Burgas district. The forests of the park are managed by the state forestries Malko Tarnovo, Zvezdetz, Kosti, Tzarevo and the state game farm (SGF) . Five nature reserves - Silkosia, Lopushna, Tisovitza, Vitanovo and Sredoka are located in the park. (Biosphere Reserve Lopushna is included in the book of UNESCO). 12 protected areas and many natural attractions (rock formations, century-old trees, etc.) can be found in Strandzha Park. The exceptional natural resources of the rivers Ropotamo, Veleka and Rezovska have preserved a picturesque landscape of unspoiled nature with diverse and rich flora and fauna for the future generations. The mountainous parts of Eastern Balkan Mountains are covered with extensive mixed deciduous forests. Oak, cerris oak, sessile oak, common beech prevail in their tree composition. Small dense forests of ash-tree, and summer oak can still be found in the plain areas, on the stems of which shrubs, beard, horsewhip, wild vine, clematis and hops creep. Sand dunes, Kalinata locality and Emine cape are protected sites of national importance. In the eastern part of the Balkan Mountains protected plant species are represented by: snowflake, red Pyracantha coccinea, red Syringa, sand lily, Tulipa urumoffii, cotton thistle, etc. Alepu cove is among the natural attractions in Burgas district. The estuary of the river Veleka, Vaya Lake and Poda locality, popular as places for bird watching, are determined to be protected areas. The Black Sea coast, the beaches with fine "golden" sand and the thermal mineral springs provide favourable conditions for recreation and development of spa and sea tourism. The dense riparian forests along the rivers Ropotamo and Veleka, the beautiful Dyavolska and Fakiyska rivers, the diversity of wildlife in Strandzha and Mountains and the nature reserves are a prerequisite for the development of ecotourism and hunting. Nature is preserved in many reserves and parks, such as "Silkosia" (the oldest reserve in Bulgaria - 1933), "Ropotamo" reserve and "Strandzha” natural park, etc. There are trails, 4 visitor centres (Pomorie, Poda, Arkutino and Ahtopol), visitor points, places for bird watching and other tourist infrastructure in these places, which is a prerequisite for the development of tourism all year round.

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b. Anthropogenic tourism resources i. Cultural and historical heritage

The beautiful places in Burgas district, crossed by ancient roads and studded with ruins of castles and monasteries, provide opportunities for the development of various types of tourism. The anthropogenic tourist resources in Burgas district can be used all year round for the development of domestic and international tourism. A part of the resources are sites of prehistoric settlement mounds, Thracian tombs, archaeological finds from Roman and Byzantine times. 1361 Thracian barrows and 41 prehistoric settlement mounds are registered on the territory of Burgas district. The earliest traces date back from the era. The only active monastery on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast “St. George” is located in Pomorie. Sozopol is an architectural and historical, as well as tourist reserve with valuable archaeological monuments. The ancient Sozopol is the oldest settlement on the Black Sea. The architectural and archaeological reserve "Ancient Sozopol" was declared a museum town with Decree of the Council of Ministers No. 320/07.09.1974. Studies of the following sites have been conducted in Primorsko: Thracian sanctuary "Beglik Tash" and Medieval church "St. Paraskeva", which are yet to be classified for the purposes of tourism. Remains of the megalithic culture of the can be found in the municipality of Tzarevo. The ruins of the ancient, medieval fortresses "Urdovizo" and “Ahtopol wall” are located here. There are finds from the Thracian antiquity, the Roman era and the in Ahtopol. The network of prehistoric dolmens (village of Belevren, Gorno Yabalkovo, Granichar, etc.), Thracian sites near Malko Tarnovo and Mishkova niva, the medieval earth bank Erkesiya, which is 120 km long along a route between the Black Sea and Maritza river, is very specific. The village of was declared an architectural and historical reserve in 1982. It consists of 76 houses - architectural cultural monuments, 9 of which are of national importance, 22 - ensembles and the rest of local importance, such as the church “St. Dimitar” with a church school and the chapel "St. Panteleymon".

Burgas district is characterized by rich cultural and historical heritage. Four major economic, political and cultural centres, situated along the coast - Mesembria (Nesebar), Anhialo (Pomorie), and Apolonia (Sozopol) developed in antiquity. Today these are still some of the most picturesque and well-preserved historical places in Bulgaria.

The direct contact with the beautiful places, crossed by ancient roads and studded with ruins of castles and monasteries, allows for the development of cultural and ecotourism on a very good level in Burgas district. Sites, such as the prehistoric settlement mounds, Thracian tombs, as well as the archaeological finds from Roman and Byzantine times, are a resource for the development of this type of tourism. Prehistoric settlement and Thracian burial mounds.

The following sites in Burgas district are included in the list of 100 National Tourist Sites of Bulgaria: Architectural and Historical Reserve - Nesebar Archaeological Museum, Museum of Salt - town of Pomorie, History Museum - town of Malko Tarnovo, Historic Site "", Archaeological Museum - town of Sozopol. The territory of Burgas district includes about 260 declared immovable cultural valuables - samples of gardening art and landscape architecture, archaeological sites, historical sites,

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architectural sites, ensembles and complexes, natural valuables, including: 1 sample of gardening art and landscape architecture; 13 archaeological immovable cultural valuables; 7 group immovable cultural valuables (ensembles); 6 historical cultural valuables; about 226 single immovable cultural valuables (architectural - construction, artistic and historical).

ii. Archaeological sites

The historical - archaeological and architectural reserves are cultural and historical heritage of particular value, which the district abounds with. 1. Of global importance - Nesebar - a town-monument under the protection of UNESCO 2. National reserves and cultural monuments Archaeological monuments of national importance: Prehistoric settlement and Thracian burial mounds. Pursuant to an Ordinance of the Council of Ministers No. 1711 of 22 October 1962, all settlement and burial tombs in Bulgaria were declared monuments of national importance. 1361 Thracian barrows and 41 prehistoric settlement mounds are registered on the territory of the former Burgas district. Ancient and medieval structures, forts and ramparts: - dolmen near the village of Belevren, 500 m to the north - SG issue 35/1965 - “Zmeyova Kashta” dolmen near the village of Gorno Yabalkovo, "Asenov Geren” locality, 4 km to the east SG issue 35 / 1965 - "Chelyov kapak" dolmen near the village of Gorno Yabalkovo, "Pashadere” locality, 1 km to the south SG issue 35 / 1965 - two dolmens near the village of Granichar, 1 km to the south SG issue 35 / 1965 - “Zmeyova Kashta” dolmen near the village of Dolno Yabalkovo, 2 km to the east SG issue 35 / 1965 - dolmen near the village of Evrenozovo, 400 m to the west SG issue 35 / 1965 - dolmen near the village of , "Germanikovo” locality, 5 km to the southeast SG issue 35 / 1965 dolmen near the village of Zabernovo, "Tumbata” locality, 1.5 km to the northwest SG issue 35 / 1965 - dolmen near the village of Zabernovo, "Latat” locality, 3 km to the northwest SG issue 35 / 1965 - "Covered stones" dolment near the village of Kalovo, 1 km to the north SG issue 35 / 1965 - “Zmeyova Kashta” dolmen near the town of Primorsko, 4 km to the north SG issue 35 / 1965 - ancient cupola tomb near the town of Pomorie SG issue 35 / 1965 - antique town "Goloe" near the village of with area of 22.4 decares and defined borders with an order of the Minister of Culture, 1990 SG issue 35 / 1965 - Old Bulgarian border bank "Erkesiyata" in its preserved sections near the villages of Debelt, Trastikovo, Surnevo SG issue 35 / 1965

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The natural outline of the foundations of the mounds’ embankments are accepted as borders. In other facilities borders of secured area up to 10 m are accepted, depending on the characteristics of the terrain. Archaeological reserves: 1. Archaeological Reserve "Deultum - Debelt" with total area of 85.3 hectares - Order of CM No. 9 of 28 July 1988 / SG issue 64 2. Archaeological Reserve Ulpiya Anhialeyon Paleokastro near the town of Pomorie with total area of 139.4 hectares.

Historical, artistic and architectural monuments of national importance: 1. Historic site - the island “St. Anastasia” with a church and a monastery building - SG issue 35 / 1965 and SG issue 39/1973 2. The birthplace of the poet Dimitar Polyanov in the town of Karnobat - SG issue 35 / 1965 3. Church “St. St. Kiril i Metodiy" - town of Burgas 4. House of Dimitar Haralambus, present Radio Centre, 2, "Comte Androvanti" St., town of Burgas

Cultural monuments of local importance: Declared historical monuments and places in Burgas district of XIX-XX C 1. Balyuva house in the village of Brashlyan /Sarmashik/ - historical and architectural monument, connected with the preparation of Preobrazhensko uprising 2. House of Ivan Tzankov - fighter in national liberation movement, 7, Slavyanska St., town of Burgas 3. Lermontov house /Piperov’s house/, 15, Lermontov St., town of Burgas 4. The grave of Major General Alexander German, town of Burgas, next to the church "St. Mary, Mother of God" 5. A monument, dedicated to the Russian liberators and a grave of Soviet officers, town of Burgas, the intersection of "Pirotska" and “Osvobozhdenie” streets 6. Monument to Russian soldiers, died during the Russian-Turkish Liberation War - town of Burgas, Sea Park next to the Open-Air Theatre 7. The house of Georgi Kondolov, 5, Syedinenie, St., town of Burgas 8. The tomb of Aleksandar Georgiev in the town of Burgas, in the yard of the church "St. Ivan Rilski" 9. Battle place of Preobrazhensko uprising of 1903 in the village of Gramatikovo 10. Fountain - monument in the centre of the town of Malko Tarnovo 11. Dylgata Polyana locality - 7 km, west of the town of Tzarevo 12. Battle place of Preobrazhensko uprising of 1903, town of Tzarevo, Town Park 13. Historical locality Petrova Niva in Strandzha Mountains, 5 km north of the village of 14. Battle place of Preobrazhensko uprising of 1903 in St. Iliya locality, two kilometers northeast of the village of Stoilovo

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15. Battle places of Preobrazhensko uprising of 1903 - village of Byala Voda, village of Vizitza, village of Zvezdetz, Bosna locality at the junction of the road Burgas - Malko Tarnovo through the village of Zvezdetz

The most important sites for the development of tourism in Burgas district are:

Roman city Deultum - village of Debelt

The Roman city of Deultum emerged as a Thracian settlement, in Roman times it became a colony of veterans of VIIIth Augustus Legion. This is the only medieval customs in Europe, which has been researched, in which paid its annual tribute to Bulgaria. The first delegation, sent by King Boris I to to negotiate for the christening of the , passed from here. The Roman city Deultum is among the Wonders of Bulgaria. It is a for cultural and historical tourism and a cultural and historical monument, part of the cultural and historical heritage of Bulgaria. About 3000 years ago there was a large Thracian city here - an important harbour and emporium named Dobelt, i.e. "a place between two swamps", because it was reliably protected by marshes instead of by walls. Moreover, it was at crossroads - from the Black Sea to the passages in the Balkan Mountains and from the Danube to Byzantion (currently Istanbul). Debelt was the residence of Philip II of for some time, later, in I C AD, the Romans conquered the harbour and of course, built a fortress, and distributed the land in the vicinity among the veterans VIIIth Augustus Legion. The colony was marked as Deultum on Roman maps, which also means Dvublatie, although veterans drained some of the marshes and turned them into arable land. Trade, however, continued in full force not only during Roman times, but until the end of XIV C too. Massive church buildings were erected in the town. Yet in I C AD Apostle Andrey came here and founded one of the first Christian communities, later called episcopate. And most importantly - a customs was opened, the only Early Mediaeval one in Europe. At the end of XIII C, however, the sand, placed for centuries on in the rivers, flowing into Mandra lake, disconnected the connection of the lake with the sea. Debelt ceased to be a harbour, it decayed and disappeared. St. Anastasia Island

St. Anastasia Island is located in Burgas bay in the Black Sea. It is built of volcanic rocks, it is 12 m high, 17 in some places, and its area is nearly 9 decares. Between 1945 and 1990 it bore the name Bolshevik. The island is shrouded in mystery and hundreds of legends are told about it.

One of the most famous legends is about pirates, who attacked the island at a time, when there was a monastery there. The monks locked themselves in the church and prayed to St. Anastasia to help them and deliver them from the raids. She heard their prayers and sent a horrendous storm, which split the pirates’ ship in two. Even today the remains of the ship are fossilized in a rock, which can be seen by every visitor to the island. It is believed that the cause of the pirate raids is the golden treasure, buried on the island, guarded by the ghost of a dead pirate.

According to another story, the island was once reached by Vikings. There is no documented evidence of this, but there are traces of two fires. A story from years ago, when a drunk

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captain of a tug-boat survived miraculously after having fallen from a 25-meter cliff, also speaks about the strange forces on this place. There are three rock phenomena on St. Anastasia island, known as the Mushroom, the Dragon and the Fossil Pirate Ship. Some people believe that are two dungeons on the island, whose entrance is very well camouflaged and nobody can penetrate their secrets. However, they have not been found so far.

Accessibility to visit: Accessible, all year round, paid visit; provided access for people with disabilities; guide service available

Transport accessibility: The sea journey is influenced by weather conditions; regular municipal transport is provided; conditions for mooring of private vessels are also provided

Tourist infrastructure: 5 separate rooms for accommodation; there is a restaurant, bistro type and a cafe; the former building of the monastery was converted into an Interactive Museum; available Tourist Information Centre, located on "Bridge” pier, a shop on the island and a souvenir shop on "Bridge” pier

Antique mineral baths Aquae Khalid - Burgas

15 km away from from Burgas, an ancient and medieval town “Aquae Khalid - Thermopolis” is located between the neighborhoods Vetren and Banevo. It was founded around the hot mineral springs in back in Thracian times in I C BC. The most revered in the antiquity Sanctuary of the three nymphs, patrons of the health force of the mineral springs, was here. The Archaeological Reserve consists of the ancient and medieval baths, the Christian church, the fortress wall and other facilities, belonging to the defense system, a Thracian tomb and other monuments.

The archaeological valuables found at the site - the fortified walls of the ancient city (Thermopolis), the Roman baths of I C AD with a hot and a cold pool, various medieval rooms are accessible for tourists by way of the modern footbridges, constructed to facilitate passage and sightseeing.

The complex allows tourists to visit the fully renovated bath of Suleyman the Magnificent. The original vision was preserved during its restoration, it is faced with marble and typical oriental ceramics. Its authenticity is complemented by natural and artistic lighting. It serves as an active museum, where visitors can watch a movie, created on the basis of the 3D mapping. It leads tourists on a virtual tour from the time of the Thracians and the legend of the Sacred spring of the three nymphs-healers, through Roman times, the - till the time of Suleyman the Magnificent.

The complex also features a multipurpose building with a cafeteria and a souvenir shop. The entire surrounding space was constructed and transformed into a nice place for relaxation with lots of greenery, park furniture and fountains. The space in front of the bathroom is designed as a functioning amphitheater, which brings lovers of good music, cinema and theater to this mystical place .

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Ancient and medieval fortress and Poros / Foros port

The fortress was founded in the middle of II C by Antoninus Pius. The tower by the swelling was built initially, in "Burg", which had locational functions, helped boats and small ships entering the lake not to sink into the swampy areas of the swelling. Fire burned on top of the tower at night and in foggy weather.

Transport accessibility: The tourist facility is located in the town of Burgas, Vetren quarter, “Mineral Baths” villa zone, 2 km to the northeast of the main road Burgas-Sofia. It can be reached via a first-class road. It can be reached on foot, by car, by bicycle. There is regular municipal transport.

Tourist infrastructure: 2 places for accommodations and 3 restaurants function near the tourist complex. The building of a Tourist Information Centre, a souvenir shop and a cafe is planned. There are several shops near the complex.

Thracian Sanctuary Beglik Tash - Primorsko

The Thracian megalithic sanctuary Begliktash is located 5 km north of the town of Primorsko, at the foot of Strandzha Mountain. It is one of the greatest discoveries from Thracian history on the Southern Black Sea coast and in Strandzha Mountain. It remained unknown to science until 2003. Studies show that yet since the late Bronze Age (XIII C BC) active human activity had been held here. The finds show that the sanctuary was visited exclusively by the Thracians. It is associated with the cult to fertility, the goddess - mother and the Orphic dedication and immortalization of the Hero.

The sanctuary consists of a central part and two circles of smaller structures around it with a total area of 6 decares. Large rocks were partially treated by human hand and assembled on site and the stone slabs and blocks were arranged in unique forms. Stone circles, bath-tubs and “Brand steps” were carved in the flat rocks. The residential building and the cult fireplaces complement the evidence of human activity here. The place is the spiritual centre of Thracians. It also contains 16 stone elements, which are similar to those at Stonehenge and display the calendar of the Thracians. This is a sanctuary of the Thracians Skirmiani of 2000 BC or perhaps even earlier.

Accessibility for visits: Guide services from April to October - in Bulgarian, Russian and English.

Transport accessibility: The sanctuary can be reached on an asphalt road with 5 km length. There are directional signs. From the asphalt road the sanctuary is reached by a well- maintained forest road, 1300 m long. Access for people with disabilities is available.

Tourist infrastructure: There are promotional materials on-site, hotels and restaurants in Primorsko, as well as a Tourist Information Centre.

Thracian fortress Urdoviza - Kiten Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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In ancient times there was a settlement on the lands, where Kiten is located today, from which fortress walls are preserved, which are now restored. The ruins of the fortress Urdoviza can be seen just next to the town of Kiten, municipality of Primorsko. It has existed since the time of the Trojan War - 12 C BC. It has been proven that there had been a harbour here, both in antiquity and in the Middle Ages, when the fortress was an important Bulgarian stronghold and a naval base.

Transport accessibility: The fortress is located near the town of Kiten. It is accessible by road.

Customs of Vasiliko - town of Tzarevo

The town of Tzarevo is mentioned with the name Vasiliko first by the Arab geographer Idrisi in XII C. In XVI C we find the name of the town in documents from , in official tax records of caasa Anhialo - XVII-XVIII C, as well as on the map of General Hatov from 1828.

An archaeological research in 2012 in the area of the church “St. Assumption” in the old town showed clearly that a settlement from a much earlier period had existed here. Ships moored along the coast of municipality of Tzarevo yet in I C B C. In VII-X C BC besides Thracian, Greek ships started to sail in the Black Sea. During the time the Great Greek colonization various Greek city-states were founded, which were turned into trade centres, exporting food and raw materials for the Eastern Mediterranean. As it is located between two ancient settlements - Apolonia and Agatopolis, it is unlikely people not to settle and make full use of the natural resources of the beautiful beach of Tzarevo.

In the area of the church “St. Assumption” archaeologists found cult pits from the classical and Hellenistic era, filled with Thracian and Greek ceramics. Structures of V-VI C were attested, which remains of walls and movable finds unequivocally speak about. On a small cape, east of the temple, the Director of the District History Museum of Burgas - Milen Nikolov uncovered a small building. One of the suggestions is that the customs of Vasiliko had been built here at a later stage. The great economic power, which the sea gives, fully explains this assumption.

Located next to the emblematic for the town of Tzarevo church “St. Assumption” - one of the most beautiful temples on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, the site is accessible to visit all year round.

Tourist infrastructure: Possibility of accommodation in hotels and guest houses in the town of Tzarevo all year round.

Late Antiquity and Medieval fortress - town of Ahtopol

The antique and medieval fortress Ahtopol is located on a small peninsula, on an area of 5-6 decares. The area of the fortress is overlapped to a great extent by the modern city.

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Ahtopol is the richest ancient and medieval history of the settlements in the municipality of Tzarevo. Traces of the Bronze and Iron Ages can be found on its territory. Historical sources indicate that at the end of V C BC an Athenian colony existed in this place.

The fortress was mentioned for the first time in IX C in connection with the military victories of Khan in year 812. Its name is cut on one of the columns in too. According to the peace agreement, concluded by Khan in 815, Agatopolis remained within the Bulgarian state up to 971.

In XII C the fortress was mentioned in connection with one of the marches of the brothers Asen and Petar. Later, during the time of Svetoslav Terter, it was a border fortress. It was captured by the Byzantines in 1332 and Ivan Alexander returned it back within the Bulgarian state.

In the diocesan lists Ahtopol was mentioned as an episcopate centre from IX to the middle of XVII C. It is assumed that the fortress was captured by the Ottoman conquerors in 1453 and burned down in XVII C.

Studies of the immovable cultural heritage began in the second half of the XX C. In 2014, during archaeological excavations, the passage to one of the gates of the medieval town was found. Researchers are adamant that the closest analogues to this gate are found in the Early Medieval Bulgarian cities Pliska, Preslav and Drastar, which is an evidence of the great importance of Ahtopol in the eyes of the rulers of the First Bulgarian Kingdom.

The Antique and Medieval fortress Ahtopol is an archaeological cultural monument from 1965. The study of the site continues.

The access is free all year round.

Tourist infrastructure: Possibility of accommodation in hotels and guest houses in the town of Ahtopol all year round.

Fortified ruler’s house - village of Sinemoretz

It is situated on a natural hill, next to the estuary of Veleka river, near the village of Sinemoretz, municipality of Tzarevo. It is a Thracian ruler's house, protected by a fence wall and a tower, built in the manner, described by .

A Thracian mound is located about 200 m away from the site, in which one of the richest Hellenistic graves on the territory of Bulgaria was studied in 2006.

The discovered archaeological materials - Greek and Thracian ceramics, coins, etc. show that the home was occupied during the Late Hellenistic era - II C BC. It is assumed that a local Thracian ruler lived here, together with his family, who controlled the production and trade with ore in Strandzha Mountain.

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It survived without having been seriously destroyed until the beginning of I C BC when, under certain dramatic events, a coin treasure of silver tetradrachms was buried next to the outer wall of the tower, discovered in 2012 . The most significant and sensational is the presence of a large number of perfectly rare coins оф тхе mysterious Thracian king Mostis. The treasure is exhibited in the Municipal Historical Museum of Tzarevo.

Later, during the Ottoman period (XVIII-XIX C), a building was built on the remains of the house. The study of the fortified ruler’s house continues.

Access: There is a turn to left for the site when entering the village. It is visible and also easily accessible by car and on foot.

Tourist infrastructure: Possibility of accommodation in hotels and guest houses in the village of Sinemoretz all year round.

iii. Architectural reserves

Parts of the villages on the southern Black Sea coast have typical architecture from the National Revival. Nesebar, Pomorie, Sozopol, Ahtopol, Primorsko and are extremely attractive. Settlements in "Strandzha" include typical examples of the Eastern and Middle Strandzha residential architecture. The peripheral border location of the territory has predetermined the low density of the urban network and the transport infrastructure. Basic elements of the engineering infrastructure are lacking for the same reason. Generally speaking the architectural and historical reserve village of Brashlyan and village of Bulgari stand out as the most significant monuments on the territory, known for the living tradition of bare foot fire dancing. The most attractive is the village of Brashlyan. The houses in Strandzha are a reflection of an era with great importance for Bulgarian culture - the Revival. There is preserved local architecture in the villages in Strandzha - Golyamo Bukovo, Dolno Yabalkovo.

Ancient Nesebar The Historical and Architectural Reserve Nesebar is located in the Old Town and is a peninsula, about 850 m long and 350 m wide. The old town was declared an architectural and historical reserve with a Decree No. 243 of the Council of Ministers on 18 July 1956. In 1983 UNESCO included it in the List of UNESCO World Heritage Monuments.

Nesebar is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, founded 3200 years ago. In antiquity the city was called Mesambria, in the Middle Ages Mesemvria and later - Nesebar. Many archaeological sites witness the centuries-old history of Old Nesebar. Most of them can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Nesebar, which is located at the beginning of the peninsula.

Throughout its existence, the city has always been surrounded by fortress walls, the remains of which have been preserved until today. A part of the fortress wall stands out on the territory of the Old Town, which was declared an architectural and construction monument of national importance in issue 41 of State Gazette of 1964.

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Nesebar was called "encyclopedia" of the Christian church construction. So far 44 churches from the period from V to XIX C have been found in it. The oldest Early Christian in Bulgaria are among them.

There are a large number of preserved churches, two of them - "St. Spas" and "St. Stefan" have been transformed into museums.

The town of Nesebar is located 37 km northeast of Burgas and 429 km east of Sofia. Road transport is provided between Burgas and Nesebar. The fastest way for transportation to Burgas is by plane. The flight from Sofia takes 40 minutes. Burgas Airport accepts flights throughout the year. The train station in Burgas has connections to all directions in the country. The urban and interurban transport in the municipality are very well-developed. Numerous private companies offer connections to nearly every part of the country, as well as cross-border lines. The port of Nesebar is located in the municipality, which is of regional significance. It is used exclusively for passenger transport and leisure tourist travel. There are two berths and a marine terminal with a border control point and State Shipping Inspectorate.

More than 150 tourist sites with about 90 000 beds, 630 rooms and guest suites with over 35 000 beds and 1000 catering establishments operate in the municipality of Nesebar. A significant part of this material base is concentrated in the town of Nesebar, Sunny Beach resort, Elenite holiday village, town of Obzor, the village of Ravda and town of Sveti Vlas. The tourist information centre is located in the Old Town. Every tourist can obtain information on places of accommodation, museums and tourist attractions in it. Furthermore, tourist can find information there on how to get to a certain place in Nesebar or how to go to Sunny Beach, Ravda, Sveti Vlas, Kosharitza, Burgas, Obzor, Varna.

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Sozopol - the Old Town Sozopol and the islands "St. Ivan" and "St. Kirik"

Sozopol was founded in 610 BC. by a migrant group Ionian . It was called Pontica. In VII C BC In Apollonia Pontica a 13.2 me high bronze statue of Apollo was built - the biggest for its time in the ancient world. Saint John is the biggest of five islands in Bulgarian territorial waters in the Black Sea with an area of 0.66 km2. The island Saint Cyril is the only one on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, which is is connected to the mainland by a breakwater. Ancient Sozopol is one of the Wonders of Bulgaria. It is a tourist attraction for cultural and historical tourism and a cultural and historical monument, part of the cultural and historical heritage of Bulgaria.

7500 years ago people were already living on the small peninsula in the Black Sea, where the famous town of Sozopol is located today. In translation from Greek Sozopol means "the Salvaged city", probably because it survived the devastating attacks of the at the beginning of our era.

The residents of the old harbour town walk on the same streets as thousands of years ago, they go fishing in the same way in wooden boats and when they decide to build something in the pit, they usually find the remains of bygone eras - pottery, pieces of wood, copper ore, statuettes of deities, even a skull full of coins. Finds from Antiquity are most, when Sozopol, named Apollonia Pontica, was a flourishing polis - a colony of Asia Minor Greek city of .

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But the most interesting discovery in recent years was made not on the peninsula, in Sozopol itself, but on one of the nearby islands - St. Ivan. The island is called so because in the Middle Ages there was a big monastery dedicated to St. there, which served as a summer residence of the Byzantine patriarchs and later as monastery of the Bulgarian ruler.

Archaeologists discovered a small box (reliquary) with particles from the bones of St. John the Baptist under the altar of the ruined of V C. But what is even more interesting is that another "roadmap" reliquary was found close to it, in which someone called Thomas brought the relics from Constantinople to the island. It is not known whether the name of one of the nearby islands St. Thomas (once there was a chapel there, dedicated to the saint) is associated with this man Thomas or this is just a coincidence.

In 1453 the residents of Sozopol surrendered voluntarily to the Ottoman army and thus preserved their life, houses and monasteries. The Sultan even made the city his own possession, so that he can collect taxes from the rich harbour (he had no right to collect taxes from Muslims). This, however, did not save the famous peninsula from the raids of the Cossacks pirates. In 1623 they even robbed the monastery “St. John the Baptist” and it ceased to exist. According to the legend the pirates hid their treasures in the underwater caves along the inaccessible rocky coast of the Snake Island, as locals call the island of St. Thomas.

But so far treasure hunters have only found a huge number of water snakes and shipwrecks of various conquerors and invaders. They have been resting on the bottom of the sea for a long time and above - Sozopol, welcomes thousands of hunters of adventures and interesting stories.

Medieval Sozopol is surrounded by a fortress wall and towers, built during the reign of Emperor Anastasius about 511. Considerable fragments have been preserved from these protective facilities.

Archaeological studies prove the existence of more than seven thousand years of cultural tradition. The first settlements in Sozopol bay were founded in the Neolithic Age in the late 6 C BC. In 610 BC settlers from Asia Minor city of Miletus founded a city-state on Sozopol peninsula, called Apollonia. Even in the first centuries of its existence Apollonia underwent a remarkable boom. Strong fortress walls and monumental public buildings were built in V C. Ancient authors mention the temple of Apollo the Healer with a colossal, 13 m high statue of the god. In 72 BC Apollonia was conquered by the legions of the Roman general Mark Lucullus. The town was burned and looted and the famous statue of Apollo was taken to as a war trophy.

In I C AD the city was rebuilt and after became a , the city continued to exist as a harbour centre. Following the adoption of as the official religion, the city was called Sozopolis, in accordance with the new Christian dogma.

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In V - VI C Sozopol was surrounded with new fortress walls, preserved today in ruins, which can be seen in the southern and southeastern part of the peninsula. The city is included within the boundaries of Bulgaria for the first time when it was captured by the armies of Khan Krum in 812. Medieval Sozopol was an episcopal centre with more than 20 churches and 5 monasteries. The ruins of the monastery complex on the island of St. Ivan - X - XVII C, the basilica in the centre of the Old Town and a part of the monastery “St. Apostles” on cape Skamniy in the northeastern part of the old town have been preserved from the medieval architecture.

In 2010, during archaeological excavations on the nearby island of St. Ivan, the relics of St. John the Baptist were discovered. Today the precious relic is kept in the church “St. St. Cyril and Methodius“ in the city and attracts pilgrims from around the world.

With a Decree of the Council of Ministers No. 320 of 7 September 1974 the Old town of Sozopol was declared a museum.

Transport accessibility: Sozopol is situated on a picturesque peninsula in the southern part of the Burgas Bay, about 35 km away from Burgas. Sozopol has no access to the Bulgarian rail network and the access to the national road network is limited. Through I-9 national road, which is a part of the European road network and of road E-87 in particular, Sozopol connects with Burgas to the north and the other coastal cities to the south.

Sozopol harbour is located to the north of the Old Town, in the waters of Sozopol bay, and has regional significance. built Marina and piers for fishing boats have been built in the town besides it.

Tourist infrastructure: The accommodation options are varied - luxury hotels, small family hotels, guest houses, bungalows. Several are located in the immediate vicinity: "Garden", "Goldfish", "Kavatzi", "" and "Fig". The restaurants offer typical Bulgarian Black Sea cuisine and various specialities.

Ropotamo reserve, encompassing the estuary of the eponymous river, is located not far to the south. Boat trips along the river and watching interesting birds and plants are offered there.

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iv. Temples, monasteries, religious sites

Cupola Thracian tomb - Anhialo

The Cupola Thracian tomb near Pomorie is hollow and resembles a cult building, which archaeologists refer to III C BC. The monument is from the Roman period, in the construction Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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of which the Thracian domed vault model was used. The tomb is located under the embankment of a burial mound, with western corridor 22 m long, a circular chamber with a diameter of 11.60 m and height of 5.50 m. The facility was built from stone and brick, with original vault of the central room. One of the interesting things that strikes at first glance is the central column, in which there is an incised staircase. It leads to the top of the tomb and distinguishes it from other Thracian tombs known to archaeologists. What is typical for all others is that they are closed at the front. The rest is complemented by stories of archaeologists and architects.

Martyr St. George - men’s monastery in the town of Pomorie - Pomorie Monastery

Christianity permeated in ancient Anhialo /Pomorie/ yet in the late I C. According to the legend, St. Apostle Andrey, on the way to Kiev, passed through the Black Sea city, a large administrative and harbour centre at the time within the . During the time of Emperor /284-305/ St. Sebastiana came from Phrygia to the Balkan peninsular, who preached in Anchialo and the surrounding towns. Anhialo was already an ecclesiastical centre at that time. Despite the persecutions, there are reports of bishops of the city yet from III - IV C. In V - VI C the church of Anhialo was proclaimed archdiocese. Christianity was already the official religion of the Eastern Roman Empire - Byzantium. The legend tells that in VII C there already was a temple or monastery, dedicated to St. George the Martyr, in this place. During the reign of Khan Krum Anhialo was captured by the Bulgarians in 812, and later, after the Christening, in about 894, a Bulgarian church organization was established. Since the end of XIII C the bishop of Anhialo was revered with the religious order metropolitan. With the invasion of the Ottoman Turks in Bulgaria the monastery St. George was probably destroyed and deserted. Temporarily handed over to the Byzantines, the city is again Christian until March 1453, when it was finally conquered by the Turks. The long night of the Ottoman rule fell over Anhialo. At the end of XVIII C the Turk Selim Bey settled in Anhialo, creating a large fief - homestead. The Bey suffered from an incurable disease according to the legend. One night his old man farmhand Neno dreamed that a spring with miraculous water was flowing in the yard of the homestead. Neno did not pay attention to his dream until he started seeing a good- looking man riding a white horse - St. George. Alarmed by the dream, the farmhand secretly excavated the site and found a marble bas-relief of St. George. Water started springing from the place itself at the same time. The pious Neno told his master everything and the farmer gained hope for healing. By the request of his farmhand, Selim Bey called the bishop of the city, who read a prayer and sprinkled around with water from the holy spring. Selim Bey was miraculously healed by the life-giving effect of the spring. Inspired by the miracle, he was baptized together with his whole family, converted to Christianity and built a small chapel. Thus Selim Bey laid the foundations of today's monastery. After some time, according to the legend, he widowed, became a monk and the first abbot of the monastery. He donated all his property from 3800 decares of land to the monastery.

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In 1856 a new church was built and the old one still remains to this day under its roof. Together with the new buildings, a 20-meter tower - bell tower (1966) was built. Today, many valuable examples of the iconographic art of the XVIII and XIX C, are kept in the monastery. The temple icon was painted by the Anhialo icon-painter Diamandopulo. A solemn prelatic St. Liturgy and worship are served on May 6th annually until today. The holiday is marked by a three-day fair, which gathers worshipers and traders from all over Thrace. Pomorie monastery "St. George" is one of the most revered monasteries in Eastern Bulgaria. The church holiday May 6th is the day of the town of Pomorie too.

Golyamo Bukovo monastery "St. Petka" Life-giving source - village of Golyamo Bukovo Golyamo Bukovo monastery is the only one having survived and active monastery in Strandzha Mountain. It is located 4 km east of the village of Golyamo Bukovo and 50 km south of Burgas. The monastery is located in one of the least visited part of Strandzha Mountain in a really wild and sparsely populated area, which gives it a special charm. The monastery was founded in 12 C on the foundations of an ancient temple. There is a hypothesis that the famous monastery "St. Gregory of Sinai" - the cradle of the hesychastic movement, was located on the site of today's monastery in the 13th - 14th C. The saints Theodosiy of Tarnovo and Romil of worked in it. Golyamo Bukovo monastery was destroyed and rebuilt in the period 1873 - 1877, which is when today’s church dates back from. In 1903 the monk Guy exchanged the sheep herd of the monastery for 1000 decares of arable land of moving Turks and thus the monastery obtained a lot of land in this region of Strandzha. The monastery prospered and new barns, a two-story stone convent and mills were built on the White River. By the end of the 80s of the 20th century the buildings of Golyamo Bukovo monastery were used as a pioneer camp. As of 1990 the monastery church was in ruins and the buildings were turned into pigpens of locals. From the autumn of the same year the monastery began to function again, thanks to the efforts of the monk Evtimiy from the village of Rosen (Burgas district), who made its recovery his personal mission. The church and the building were erected again under his supervision and were painted too. The holy spring “Life-giving source” is located at the altar of the temple, which is believed to cure many diseases. On April 13th (Good Friday) the feast of Golyamo Bukovo monastery is celebrated.

Castle in the village

At first glance castle was designed in the style of the classic Western European castles, as a mix of styles from the and Romanticism, but this is not so. The style of the castle is one only and it is the "fantastic" style. This is the secret of its magical effect - a dream come true to build a castle, which exists only in fairy tales.

Built entirely of 20 000 tons of stone, which was specifically extracted from the womb of the Strandzha Mountain. The stone is marbleized limestone and is present everywhere - in the fence, the pond, walls and towers, chapels and the cellar. According to the Geological Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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Institute of BAS these stones are around 227 to 247 million years old. They contain traces of microdiamonds and therefore the castle changes its colour - in the morning it has a tinge of pink, it is white during the day and shines at full moon.

v. Traditions, Customs and Crafts

Socio-cognitive sites and events characteristic of our region exert great impact over touristic trips. They are of interest for the route-cognitive trips of internal and foreign tourists. Colorful and original ceremonies which are performed in connection with certain events and holidays were well preserved. They recover ancient traditions and beliefs for health, fertility, exorcising evil spirits and so on. They are rе-created by amateur groups in the community centers in the region. The Region of Burgas has a centuries-old history and culture. Its geographical location – at the crossroads between two continents, predetermines its role of a place for contact and a cultural exchange between various nations and nationalities. Christianity here intertwines with the ancient pagan rituals which remained from the peoples which lived on our lands. To get to know the people who reside in the region of Burgas and to peep into their lives we should know their traditions and customs. To understand the organization of their society, we should find out their life calendar. The national calendar is a system for organization and determination of the time within the framework of one year. It usually consists of several cycles depending on the natural and economic circle. A similar scheme is also characteristic of the traditional economic calendar of the Bulgarians. After the official acceptance of the Christian religion and calendar the double seasonal division of the year is made by the holidays in the honor of Saint Dimitar and Saint Georgi (George). Thus through Saint Dimitar’s Name Day (celebrated on 26 October) and ’s Name Day (celebrated on 6 May) the year is differentiated into two relatively closed seasonal and labor cycles. The saying “Saint George brings summer and Saint Dimitar brings winter” is widespread. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint Martyr Dimitriy Mirotochets on 26 October. The holiday was considered as the beginning of the winter and the cold and it is due to this reason that the saint is connected with the world of the dead and one of the biggest All Souls’ Days is during the time period around it – people go to the graves of their deceased relatives and close friends and hand out food in memory of the departed. In the iconography Saint Dimitar is presented as riding a red horse. He is also the master of the winter and according to the belief the first snowflakes fall down from the white beard of the Saint. According to an old custom predictions are made on the holiday and it is judged by the first guest who entered the house what the next year will be like. It is the holiday of the town of Aytos. Archangels’ Name Day (8 November). According to the traditional national beliefs Saint Archangel Michael is the angel who descends to the person passing away and takes out his soul with a knife or a sword. On Archangels’ Day Bulgarian people slaughter an animal and make a sacrificial rite to the honor of the Saint Patron of the dead. The Wolf Holidays are during the days after the Archangels’ Day. Women do not spin, knit and weave anything of wool and they do not open scissors aimed at keeping the mouth of the wolf shut. The winter holidays start with Saint ’ Name Day celebrated on 6 December. A fish dish is cooked for the holiday (usually stuffed carp). It is the holiday of the town of Burgas. Saint Nicholas’ Day (or Day of Saint Nicholas Mirlikiyski Wonder Worker) – a holiday of all fishermen and sailors (lately – of bankers as well). Saint Nicholas Wonder Worker who was born in 280 in Asia Minor, province Likia, resided during the time of Emperor and was an Archbishop of the town of Mir. He attended the first Ecumenical

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Council in Nicea. He passed away in 325, leaving after himself the memory about the amazing marine miracles in the rescue of ships and sailors during the catastrophes. It is considered that Saint Nicholas had power over the sea winds and streams – he has patronage over sea storms and hurricanes. This is why on this day boats and ships do not sail in the open sea. Fishermen, sailors and their families participate in the solemn liturgy and after that organize lush festivities for Saint Nicholas’ Day. Saint Nicholas’ Day occupies a significant place in the Bulgarian holiday tradition. According to the people’s beliefs when the six brothers Saints divided the world, all the waters were won by Nicholas. It was destined for him to walk on water, to guide ships, to stop winds at sea. On St. Nicholas’ day Bulgarian people prepare a rich feast. Fish is the main dish on this holiday. It is cooked in various manners in the various districts but carp is always the preferred fish of all. It is considered that the carp is the “servant” of St. Nicholas.

. The following case is usually reminded on this day: once, when the Saint was caught by a storm in an open sea, and water started to enter the boat due to a hole in its bottom, he put his hand into the water, took out a carp of it and plugged up the hole with it. Since then the carp has been deemed as sacrificial fish on the holiday table on this day. This is why the holiday is sometimes called “Fish St. Nicholas”. The carp is prepared in dough, stuffed with rice, nuts and raisins – this dish is called “fish pie”. A baked carp may also be cooked. Fish on St. Nicholas Day’ should obligatorily be freshly caught and with scales. The first fish caught on this day is eaten by the fishermen, baked on the coast itself. On 6 December carp is not simply a dish but a ritual – a kind of sacrifice to the Saint, gratitude for the protection in mishaps, hope for welfare and joy, a prayer for health and fertility. Various ritual kinds of bread and a lot of vegetarian dishes are also placed on the table. The table is not cleaned all day long and it is at the disposal of the hosts and the guests till late at night. The carp bones are burnt out, dug up into the land or they are thrown into the river.

Bulgarian people honor St. Nicholas also as a guardian of the family, the residence and the goodness. The traditions to celebrate on this day with “fees”, “a service” or “a manager” were preserved in the western regions of the country – a special visit to the oldest members of the family in the house of the person celebrating his/her name day for “a night service”. This visit

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is paid by a group of single boys and girls who go round the houses of the relatives and invite them to “a service”. At the entrance to the house of the person celebrating his/her name day the guests usually say, “Let Saint Nicholas help us!“. The oldest man raises the bread high above his head and blesses it. After a sumptuous dinner the older men go to the next person celebrating his/her name day on a visit to “celebrate the service” and so on, until they visit all the relatives and very frequently this takes the entire night and lasts as long as up to the morning. Young men often join the group, most of all to the support of the older members of the family (whom the people call “the drunken old men”), in this their difficult service” …

Saint Ignatiy Bogonosets (God Bearer) Name Day – on this day the family expect their first guest. At the entry into the house, he/she should bring matchwood or straw, which he/she puts next to the fireside. He/She blesses the members of the family and they give him/her a “welcome” present. Nativity of Christ or Christmas, is celebrated for three days - 24, 25 and 26 December. Six weeks before the holidays people fast and it is forbidden to eat meat, milk, cheese, eggs and so on. Christmas Eve is on the evening of the 24th to the 25th December. Christmas Eve is one of the most important family holidays. It is dedicated to the house, the fireside, but also to the dead forefathers-relatives, who are also considered as a part of the family. In the different parts of the country people call it Little Christmas, Incensed Dinner, Vespers and Neyadka (a Non-Eating Day). Even the name of Nativity Eve – Christmas does not have a Christian origin. Syllables from the rituals of the ancient Thracians and southern are found in it. According to an old tradition, prior to arranging the holiday table on Christmas Eve, the host of the house lights a special log in the fireside called yule-log. From the beginning he stirs the fire with it saying: “As many sparks, so many chickens, weaned lambs, calves in this house!“ After that he puts the thin end of the wood in the fire and it stays there smoldering all night long and maintaining the fire burning. The wood is pear, oak or beech. Red wine, incense and olive oil for fertility are poured out into a hole preliminarily made in it. It is sealed up with beeswax prior to being put into the fire. Thus prepared the Christmas yule- long, also called Christmas log or reset log is deemed as consecrated and inaugurated and it already may be offered as a sacrifice to Gods. This custom is a resonance from old Slavonic beliefs on our lands. According to them on the day when a child was expected to be born, the man lit a consecrated wood to chase away the spirits of the prematurely dead babies, deceased, evil fates and wizards. After the conversion to Christianity, the Bulgarian people preserved this tradition but they lit the consecrated wood in honor of the birth of the Savior. People predicted what the year would be like from the sparks in the fire. The more they were, the richer the crops would be, the cows would give more milk and the pigs would be fatter. The holiday table was arranged on straw on the floor in the southeastern corner of the room under the iconostasis. There should be 7, 9 or 12 dishes on the table. These are three of the sacred numbers of the ancient Jewish Kabbalah. The dishes, however, should be meatless. The table should be heaped up with everything produced in the household: boiled wheat, boiled beans, stuffed cabbage or vine leaves, peppers stuffed with beans (or rice), dried fruit, pickles, onion, garlic, honey and walnuts, wine. A pumpkin-pie, a cabbage-pie and a small round loaf which a coin is hidden in (whoever got it, would be happy all year round) are also made in some ends of the country. A walnut is placed in the four corners of the room. This is made to consecrate the four ends of the world.

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Prior to beginning the dinner on Christmas Eve, the oldest man in the house incenses the table. This is more seldom made by the oldest woman because she, as being the great-great- granddaughter of sinful Eve, is deemed as impure. It is believed that incense chases away the greedy little devils from the table and the strength of their father Satan and his assistants wizards, bogies, magicians weakens. Thus the dark forces may not do the evils planned on Christmas Eve. All the premises in the house, the hen-house, the cattle shed are also incensed. According to the pagan traditions on our lands on the eve of the Nativity of Christ the hostess of the house should distract the evil God Koledo (Christmas) with a round leaf. The loaf should be round or wrapped as a ring-shaped bread but prepared lean, without any eggs and milk. If someone in the house committed a serious sin during the year, a little honey was placed on it for entreating the resentful Koledo for mercy. The holiday bread in the various ends of Bulgaria is called consecrated bread, evening bread or Christmas bread. It was broken at the table by the oldest person in the family with the words: ”Come, God, to have dinner with us”. In Christian times the invitation was valid for Christ who was born. The first piece was put under the icon of Saint Mary, Mother of Jesus. Maidens put a bite of the consecrated bread under their pillows to dream of the men they would marry. Ring-shaped cakes – kinds of fancy bread were also baked from the bread dough. The carol- singers were given such as presents on the next day. Everyone had to taste all the dishes so that the year should be happy for them. Finally from the walnuts chosen it was predicted whether people would be healthy; if the walnut was full, the person would not fall ill during the year. As long as the dinner lasted, no one should leave the table. If he or she had any way to leave it, he/she should walk hunched so that the bogies should not knock down the corn and doom the village to hunger. In spring wreaths were braided from the straw which the family had dinner on and were hung on the fruit trees so that they should bear fruit profusely. The table should not be cleared all night long aimed at not chasing away luck. It was believed that when the household fell asleep, the close deceased relatives came to have dinner. When midnight and Christmas came, the carol-singers would come, then Christ would be born but then also according to national beliefs the Dirty Days began. Singing Christmas carols replaced the ancient pagan dedications of young people to maturity. According to the tradition Christmas carol singers were only young people ready to be married. Christmas carol singers were led by a master. He carried the ritual tree – an apple tree, a Christmas tree – a branch with seven offshoots, which a gilded apple, ring-shaped bread, red thread, greenery, coins were fixed into. Wearing new clothes, draped in cloaks, with fur caps, decorated with box shrub bunches, popcorn strung on red thread, dried plums, raisins, Christmas carol singers go round all the houses. The master pronounces a blessing destined for the family and the house; then the group sings songs for each one separately as well. The hosts give generous presents to the Christmas carol singers’ group – ring-shaped cakes, petty cash, meat, bacon, flour, beans, onion, wine and walnuts. With a part of the products collected Christmas carol singers organize a feast; they sell another part and donate the money for the church, the school or the community center. It is believed that on Christmas the heavens open and everything becomes light for a few seconds; this, however, may be seen solely by the righteous. On Christmas one may wish whatever he or she wants, wishes come true. The pig obesed during the year is slaughtered during the day on 25 December and a holiday dinner is prepared.

The so called Dirty Days which last for twelve days, up to St. Jordan’s Name Day start from Christmas. People believe that the evil forces act during this time period. Special rituals called

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mummers’ games are organized in connection with chasing away the evil forces. They are performed solely by men wearing characteristic costumes and carrying representing a ram, a goat or a bull. Frequently the masks are with two faces symbolizing the good and the evil. The games in the area of the southern Black Seaside are the most colorful and exuberant. Similar mummers’ carnivals are also conducted during the spring cycle, around Easter holidays. The origin of the mummers’ games is also sought in the ancient pagan rituals dedicated to the underground and natural forces. The effect of the costumes is intensified also by the sound of the copper and bronze bells hung up on them. Similar customs may be encountered in some parts of and observing great similarity in the rituals and the costumes of the participants. New Year, also called New-Year’s Tide or Vasil’s Name Day is celebrated on 1 January. On 31 December in the evening the hostess of the house prepares wound banitsa (filo pastry with cheese) (made of puff pastry with cheese and eggs), which wishes are put in – budding cornel twig which symbolizes the health and the fertility and a coin symbolizing the purse with money, i.e. prosperity. On this day young girls wishing to get married perform various divinations predicting close or more distant marriages. The social status and the qualities of the future grooms are foretold. The New Year’s table is plentiful and varied. The main dish is either a turkey or pork with sauerkraut. The table arranged is incensed, after which the oldest person in the house turns round the baking-dish with the banitsa with the wishes three times and breaks a piece of it for everyone. Early in the morning on the next day the New-Year’s well-wishers start up – the little boys from the village. Each family looks forward to their coming. They decorate cornel twigs with multicolored threads and garlands from popcorn and go from door to door, wishing people a Happy New Year and slightly tap their backs with the cornel twigs singing songs for health and fertility. In fact tapping the backs of the host and the remaining members of the family with decorated cornel twigs is a kind of wish for health and prosperity during the year. And the hosts thank the boys giving them ring-shaped bread, sweets, dried fruits and petty cash. St. Jordan’s Name Day is celebrated in the village on 6 January. The holiday is also called Epiphany. A significant moment in it is the faith in the purifying power of the water. This is why a few days before it the priest goes to sprinkle each house with holy water. The festive procession starts early in the morning. The entire village participates in it and headed by the priest everyone starts for the nearest water reservoir – a river, a lake, a dam lake, the sea if the settlement is located at the seaside. The priest throws a silver cross into the water and the young men compete to take it out. It is considered that whoever takes it out will be healthy and lucky during the whole year. It should be noted down that the young people who jump into the water for the cross on St. Jordan’s Day show true courage as this is one of the coldest days in the year and the temperature of the air frequently is around zero and it often falls down up to 10 degrees below zero. St. John’s Name Day is celebrated on 7 January – the day of Saint John the Baptist. On 8 January (in some populated areas on 21 January according to the Gregorian calendar) Midwives’ Day is celebrated dedicated to the village midwife or to the woman who helps for bringing up babies. This day is the kingdom of the women, this is why men should stay at home. A procession is made in villages, which is usually led by the woman with most children and a towel and soap are symbolically donated to the woman who helped the delivery of babies or helped during their upbringing. St. Anthony’s Name Day – People in Bulgaria celebrate St. Anthony’s Day on 17 January for protection from diseases. Women make and hand out small round loaves, spread with honey or putty.This celebration is connected with the people’s idea of Saint Anthony as the patron Saint of plague and all the diseases in general. The Orthodox Church honors the memory of Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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Saint Reverend Anthony the Great on 17 January. Saint Anthony was born in 251 after Christ in Middle Egypt, in a family of well-off and pious parents. Having remained an orphan at the age of 20, he handed out his inheritance to the poor and settled down in an Egyptian tomb cut out in the rocks. He passed away at the age of 105, on 17 January 356. In the people’s outlook on life of the Bulgarian people Saint Anthony and Saint Athanasius are closely related – it is considered that they were two brothers - blacksmiths. On this day women and men do not spin, do not knit, do not boil beans and lentils, aimed at not making the plague, the measles and the anthrax angry. Saint Anthony’s Day and Saint Athanasius’ Day 18 January are one after the other and are celebrated as holidays of blacksmiths, ironmongers, cutlers, farriers.

Trifon’s Day or Trifon Zarezan, the Winegrowers’ Day is celebrated on 14 February. The trimming of vines is made on this day. Recently, most probably as a consequence of the globalization and the mixing of cultures, on 14 February Bulgarian people actively celebrate the Catholic Saint, St. Valentine and respectively the holiday of people in love. According to the people’s calendar real spring begins from the First of March. Nature awakens for new life and rituals for health and fertility are performed. The first day of the month is also called Baba Marta (Grandmother Marta). The oldest woman in the family twists white and red woolen yarn and makes martenitsas (twined white and red threads, symbol of spring and health) which are worn for health both by people and animals. Martenitsas are tied on fruit trees around the house. Martenitsas are worn until the first stork is seen and then they are hung up onto a blossomed tree. Do not be surprised if you are in Bulgaria in March that everyone wears brooches, bracelets and pendants in red and white. Today 01 March turned also into a holiday of the designers who each year create newer and more interesting models of these ornaments which each Bulgarian wears for health. And if somewhere throughout the world you see someone who during the month of March has discreetly tied a bracelet of twined red and white threads around his wrist, you should be sure that this person is Bulgarian or has Bulgarian friends who have given them to him to wear for health. On the first of March Baba Marta visits the people and the crops, dressed in a red tunic, wrapped in a red headscarf, wearing red woolen socks. The white wool in the martenitsa predicts long life and the red – health and strength. This is explicable because wearing martenitsas is at the end of the winter season when the vital forces are exhausted. The hostess ties up the martenitsas on everyone in the house and blesses: “Let there be health for people and cattle, let fruit trees bring fruit, let snakes and lizards run away from people, let there be success in cattle…” According to the national tradition martenitsas are worn until people see a swallow or a stork, until they see a fruit tree in blossom. Then everyone will take his martenintsa out and will put it on a tree or a bush – on a plum tree in blossom, an apple or a peach tree in blossom or on a rose bush so that people could be white, red, nice and healthy.

The Day of the Forty Holy Martyrs is celebrated on 9 March – no work is done on this day. Small round loaves and ring-shaped bread are handed out for health of the people and for fertility in bees and animals. Holiday Annunciation is celebrated on 25 March. Annunciation is a holiday for all the Christians regardless of the tradition and the church they belong to, and celebrates one of the

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greatest sacraments in Christianity. According to the Bible on this day Archangel Gavrail brought to Virgin Mary the good news that she would give birth to the Savior and Son of God – Jesus Christ. According to people’s beliefs on this “good day” all the wounds heal easily and fast, this is why the ears of the little girls are punched most frequently then so that they could wear earrings. The holidays Last Day before Fasting Term – the Second Sunday before Lent and the First Sunday before Lent which precede Easter and depending on Easter they are at a different time and always on Sundays, occupy a significant place in the people’s calendar. On Saturday before the Second Sunday before Lent is Great All Souls’ Day when bread, boiled eggs, wine for the souls of the deceased are handed out. Saint Todor’s Name Day is on Saturday, prior to the end of this week, also called Horse Easter, because races with horses are organized on this day. Easter Lent start after the Second Sunday before Lent, when still aimed at making the transition to the forty-day lent pass more smoothly, for a week, up to the First Sunday before Lent eggs and dairy products may be eaten. Eggs and dairy products may be eaten last before Lent on the First Sunday before Lent, this is why banitsa, yoghurt and boiled eggs are served on the table. After that the Great Lent starts which lasts for forty days, until Easter. The holiday First Sunday before Lent is also known as Forgiveness Day. This is one of the most interesting holidays in the Bulgarian tradition which reflected people’s wisdom. On this day everyone asks forgiveness from his relatives and friends if he happened to hurt them by chance somehow during the past year. Young people visit the older ones and after saying “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” they say “I am asking you to forgive me” and the other person says “I forgive you and ask you to forgive me too”. Without saying what exactly forgiveness is asked for and without making analyses what exactly is to be forgiven. This is an exceptionally wise tradition which proceeds from the presumption that all of us are sinful and that one may hurt the people close to him without even being aware of it. This is why the Bulgarian people have one day in the year when they especially ask forgiveness from everyone, paying them a visit, and today, naturally, over the telephone, and they obtain it. Thus they are purified of their errors and feel calm that they do not have any second and bad thoughts with regard to people close to them. Palm Sunday (Saint Lazarus’ Name Day) is on the last Sunday (Saturday) before Easter. The holiday is related to the spring awakening of nature and youth. On this day young girls who want to get married wear holiday clothes, they hang spring flowers into their hair and go round singing Lazarus songs and playing round dances (horos). On this day old and young people go to church. After the liturgy the priest hands out blessed willow twigs bringing health and luck which people put on the doors of their houses. The week of Palm Sunday is called Great Sunday and ends with the great Christian holiday Easter, the day of the Resurrection of Christ. The tradition of singing and dancing on St. Lazarus’ Day is very well preserved in the village of Kozichino. This holiday is celebrated a week before Easter. Lazarus’ custom is related to the coming of spring and the awakening of the nature for new life. Singing and dancing on St. Lazarus’ Day is an obligatory ordinary norm for all growing up girls and is as a turning point when the young girl becomes a maiden. Singing and dancing on St. Lazarus’ Day is a general Bulgarian tradition known in the whole Bulgarian ethnic territory as well as amongst the compact masses of Bulgarian settlers abroad – mainly in Ukraine and . The main performers of the custom are girls aged 5-6 up to 10-12. They start to prepare the Holiday as early as from Easter Lent. The preparation consists of studying Lazarus songs and games in the community center. In the morning on St. Lazarus’ Day wearing holiday national costumes, decorated with wreaths with spring flowers and carrying baskets in their hands – also decorated with flowers they go round the village. The

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group of singers and dancers on St. Lazarus’ Day consists of maids-girls who “serve” (dance) in conformity with the beat time of the songs of the singers. The goddaughter is the leader of the group and is the youngest of the singers and dancers on St. Lazarus’ Day. Next week – on Easter she invites the girls to pay a visit to her house. Entering each village courtyard they sing a song. Easter is the end of the Great Lent. The preparations for the holiday start on Thursday when eggs are painted and the first red egg having the power to protect from Evil is put away up to next Easter. Ritual sweetened bread (Easter cakes) – “kozunaks” (light dough sweet bread for Easter) are baked on Friday. Late in the evening – Saturday to Sunday the Easter liturgy starts which is attended by everyone. Exactly at midnight the priest announces the Resurrection with the words “Christ Rose from the Dead”, and the people in the church answer “He Rose from the Dead Indeed”. A procession starts up headed by the priest and everyone goes round the church three times. At the announcement of the Resurrection the priest takes out a lit up candle, a symbol of the heavenly fire, from which all the people present light up their candles, which they take with them to their homes. So everyone takes the heavenly fire to their homes. Easter Day is full of holiday dances and round dances (horos). The Day of Saint George the Victorious, St. George’s Day, is always celebrated on 6 May and together with Easter it is considered as the biggest spring holiday. The holiday is celebrated in three different manners: as a holiday of the shepherds, as a holiday of the courage and soldiers’ heroism (i.e. the holiday of the Bulgarian Army) and as a holiday of the Wisdom and Renaissance. On St. George’s Day before sunrise the doors of the houses are decorated with geranium, a blossomed twig of a fruit tree and lilac for health. The greenery remains on the doors until it dries up. A lamb is slaughtered and a sacrificial rite is made for happiness and success during the year. The holiday ends with the evening Easter round dance (horo). As compared to the winter and spring rituals and customs, the summer ones are few in number because people are busy working in the fields. It is the holiday of Pomorie. Various rituals in various areas against hail and drought are known. The Holy Spirit is celebrated on the fifty-first day after Easter. A sacrificial rite to the church is performed and the food is handed out to the people. St. Enyo’s Day is celebrated on 24 June when the duration of the day and night is equal. Enyo’s Day is the most magical day of the year when magics and spells for love are made. Herbs are picked early in the morning on this day because it is considered that the herbs picked up on Enyo’s Day have the greatest healing power. ’s fast which lasted for two weeks ends on Saint Peter’s Name Day - 29 June. Chicken dishes are served on St. Peter’s Day. Great Virgin Mary – 15 August – the Orthodox and catholic world celebrates Assumption. In Bulgaria this day is the biggest summer Christian holiday. The Assumption of Virgin Mary or Great Virgin Mary is one of the 12 great Christian holidays celebrated both by Orthodox Christians and by Catholics. According to the Scripture this is the day when the God’s Mother at the age of 64 left the earthly life and went to her Son. Her death was so light and blissful that it was like falling asleep. The word “assumption” came from here – falling asleep. The church defines that on this day a solemn liturgy should be performed and “exaltation of bread” should be made. According to the people’s tradition the holiday is called Great Virgin Mary unlike Little Virgin Mary when the birthday of the Mother of Christ is celebrated. After a solemn liturgy ritual bread is sanctified in the church which is handed out by women after that for health and for the dead. Family meetings are held related to sacrifice – sacrificial rite for life, for health, for a fertile year, against mishaps and diseases. Fresh small round loaves, decorated by a porforous element, chicken mash, pancakes, boiled wheat, maize and pumpkin

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are the traditional dishes on the table. Watermelon and grapes are obligatorily eaten. Believers donate to the church candles, homespun canvas, tablecloth, towels and money. Everyone who has the blessed name of Maria celebrates their name day then. The town of Nessebar celebrates its holiday on this day. Autumn holidays and traditions are related to the preparation for the winter, the sowing and the harvesting. Cross Day is celebrated on 14 September related mainly to the grape- gathering. The cross is taken out of the church on this day, it is preached and after that the priest sprinkles worshippers with holy water. The October holidays start with Saint Dimitar’s Name Day (26 October) and Saint Petko’s Name Day (27 October). The insemination of livestock also known as sheepskin wedding usually is made on St. Petko’s Day. The arable lands are prepared for the approaching winter. The holidays and the traditions have their specifics in the various regions of Bulgaria but everywhere they are related to the fertility, the health and the eternal circle of life. Fire Dancing

Fire dancing originated in Strandzha and is a well preserved tradition in the village of and the village of Kosti. It is one of the most interesting attractions in the Bulgarian restaurants, unique of its kind, existing for a lot of centuries solely in Bulgaria. But during the 21st century the ritual underwent significant development since its origination. Fire dancing – the so called “walking on glowing embers with bear feet” originated even before Christ as a pagan ritual and was performed by ancient Thracians. By dancing on live coals, having gone into a trans, they welcomed the coming summer, glorified the name of God Sun who carried the fire with himself and asked him to donate them with health, success and fertility during the year. The fire dancing rituals comprised nearly the entire territory of southeastern Thrace and this included Bulgaria – Strandzha Mountain (the village of Balgari, the village of Rezovo, the village of and so on), Turkey (Bunarhisar) and (Kosti, Agio Ianni, Urgas and so on). After the conversion of Bulgaria to Christianity and the acceptance of Christianity as the official and only religion, the ritual faded away anathematized by the church as heresy. Centuries passed and people walking on live coals whose feet did not have even a trace of burning, were long forgotten in the myths and legends. During the 18th century (after Christ), Bulgaria was conquered by Turkey and was placed under Turkish governance. The population of Bulgaria was forcibly melted, the villages and the towns were burned out and later on they disappeared. Such was also the fate of the Bulgarian little village of Balgari in Strandzha Mountain where by chance or not it was considered that it was the capital of and the place of greatest significance for fire dancers. After the Turks attacked and plundered the village of Balgari, they set it on fire. An elderly woman saw that the chapel was burning along with the houses. At the end of her tether she entered with bare feet and disheveled, took the only Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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undamaged and untouched by the fire icon of Saint Constantine and Saint Helena and took it out passing and waddling as if having gone into a trance through the flaming coals. To the surprise of the people who saw her, there was not even a trace of burning on her. Since then fire dancing resuscitated. Saint Constantine and Saint Helena were considered as patrons and guardians of fire dancers, and the ritual is performed mainly on their holiday – 21 - 22 May (according to the Julian calendar) or on 3 - 4 June (according to the Gregorian calendar). The belief is that: the fire which is lit up chases away evil spirits, diseases and unhappiness, purifies and forgives the sins of the people attending the ritual making them stronger and calmer. Fire dancers carry ill people through the glow so that they could get healed as well as children and young people for long life. It is considered that fire dancing is Charisma and not a hereditary gift and as fire dancers believe, it finds by itself the selected and worthy person. They say: “To be able to dance on glowing embers, you should want it, to play and not to get burnt, Saint Constantine and Saint Helena should choose and protect you. When you feel that the music overwhelms you, the drum measures the pulse of your heart, you feel as if you are flying and your body grows weak and everything around you disappears, you will not even realize when you started to dance bewitched your ancient and mysterious dance over the sparking embers.”

vi. Cultural manifestations and events, holidays

Various cultural performances, manifestations are organized on the territory of the region of Burgas – festivals, workshops, concerts and other similar events. The resources from the are differentiated in an annual calendar plan and are offered to the tourist companies. The international, national and summer manifestations which popularize the past, the present and the future of the region develop. The town of Burgas is the most significant in Southeastern Bulgaria, with cultural traditions of many years in the sphere of music, poetry, theatre and fine arts, inherited during the centuries. The active season in the town full of most events and initiatives is the summer one. The multitude of festivals, held every year, attract thousands of tourists on the territory of the town. The following are the most significant events of interest for the tourists:

International Folklore Festival - Burgas It is held every year during the month of August with the participation of groups from all over the world. The concerts are performed in the housing estates of Meden Rudnik, Slaveykov, on the stage in the open air Ohlyuva, in front of the building of the Municipality of Burgas, the House of Culture of the Oil Chemists, Flora, in front of the Summer Theater. There are concerts in the Summer Theater of Burgas every evening within the framework of the Festival.

Festival Spirit of Burgas Spirit of Burgas is the most large-scale music event in Bulgaria, at which the greatest names of the world music stage play every year. The Festival has been held for 7 years on the Central Beach in Burgas during the month of August.

Festival of Sand Sculptures Burgas It is held every year from July to September in Park . Large-scale sand figures on various topics are made there each year.

International Children’s Festival “Sun – Joy – Beauty“ – Nessebar

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The international festival of children’s creative work is held with the participation of children’s and adolescents’ creative collective teams from Bulgaria and other countries. It is organized on 15 June in the town of Nessebar every year.

International Festival “Constellations in Nessebar” The festival is held in the town of Nessebar as a peculiar combination of history and the present. It was organized in 2011 for the first time.

International Festival of Honey Nessebar A Festival of the Honey is held in Nessebar every year from 30 August to 7 September in Mesambriya Square in the Old Town. There is an exposition within the framework of the festival, discussions are held, a Queen of the Honey is elected.

Each year during the month of July the Municipality of Pomorie and Community Center Prosveta (Enlightenment) organize a National Reading – Competition of works of Yavorov within the framework of the Poetical Holidays “Yavorov’s Days” in Pomorie. Amateurs, performers of art speech of all ages participate in it. Solely performances of Yavorov’s works are admitted to participation (poetry, prose, dramaturgy).

Annual holidays “Sea of Wine” are also organized in the town of Pomorie. They are organized by the Municipality of Pomorie and Chernomorsko Zlato (Black Sea Gold) AD (JSC). As a tradition gratuitous gustations of the newest products of the winery are offered for all the inhabitants and guests of the town in its center. The holidays of the wine are associated by a rich cultural-entertainment program. The month of the wine in Pomorie is full of entertainments for children and adults. The holidays of the wine are closed by a ritual for bestowing prizes to the wine manufacturers of grapes and an official inauguration of the campaign for vintage within the region after which the degree of the mood is determined by an evening on the open stage in the square where famous stars as well as local talents and guests from abroad perform. Each year in August Chernomorsko Zlato (Black Sea Gold) AD provides very good temper with the holidays “Sea of Wine”. The winery opens an original wine pavilion for the connoisseurs of the divine elixirs where the best wines of the region and the famous rakias Pomoriyska and Burgas 63 may be bought.

In connection with the traditional Holidays of Arts Apolonia, at the end of August and at the beginning of September the cultural and intellectual elite of Bulgaria gather in the town of Sozopol. The interest in the event is great – people come from all over the country. For sure tourists will like it here if they are tempted by the theater, the puppetry arts, photography, fine arts, poetry, classical music. Everyone who appreciates arts may find something for himself as well as to get immersed in the magic of the ancient amphitheater.

A national off-road competition is held in Primorsko every year, which is organized jointly and under the patronage of the Mayor and the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Primorsko. The convenient transport situation of Primorsko, the traditionalism of the event and the combination of the fair with the wonderful nature of the Black Seaside are

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prerequisites for between 8000 and 10000 visitors gathering here. A rock-concert is also performed by tradition as well as a multitude of competitions - for the best tuned jeep, for masterly driving, competition for towing a jeep, demonstrations for masterly driving and so on. An international festival of folklore creative art is also organized in Primorsko every year.

The predominating part of the cultural buildings in the the town of Burgas are concentrated in the differentiated center near the main communications, they have a convenient pedestrian access and are elements forming the so called active urban environment (the opera house, Adriana Budevska Theater, the philharmonic society, the Regional Museum Burgas, the summer theater, the cultural center Sea Casino, the Youth Cultural Center, the House of the Oil Chemist, the Regional Library, community centers, schools and kindergartens). The Regional Museum of Burgas every year conducts: Easter national holiday with a ritual table, Easter swings and games, folklore performances, an experimental atelier for traditional crafts, authentic Bulgarian holidays from the summer calendar, St. Nicholas’ Day – the holiday of the the town of Burgas – a ritual table and folklore performances and other events. Programs for the presentation of the cultural heritage and traditional crafts are developed in the Regional Museum, which are implemented in the Municipality of Burgas, , Sozopol, Malko Tarnovo, Primorsko as follows: Program “Museum Alive” with the realization of exhibitions, all-year-round presentation in Burgas of authentic customs and calendar holidays; organization of common cultural routes - “Sea Monasteries”, “Thracian Sanctuaries”, and others; organization of summer educational ateliers in Bulgarian crafts and folklore with culmination bazaar and demonstrations during the International Folklore Festival in Burgas. Project “Summer School of Interests” is implemented in the Ethnographic Complex of the Regional Museum in Burgas. The Project aims at the preservation and laying emphasis of the cultural, educational and social significance of the Bulgarian traditional crafts contributing to the preservation of the national identity and enrichment of the European cultural heritage. The Project includes demonstration workmanship, training and presentation of products of the traditional Bulgarian crafts and provision of services. Presentation is made and training in two crafts is conducted from 1 July to 15 September – pottery and painting on textile. Wood carving is included during the month of August. Weaving, coppersmith, bellfrying, knitting of mats, spinning, workmanship of jewelry from beads, kerchiefs and scarves, knitting of laces and fishnets were also demonstrated during the days of the annually held in Burgas International Folklore Festival on the territory of the Ethnographic Complex. The bagpipe art was also presented by a master-piper with self-made bagpipes. An exchange was organized for sales of works of authentic national crafts. Demonstrations and training in folklore dances are also included in the summer educational school. The Project is widely popular amongst the local population, in particular amongst young people and children. Our and foreign tourists show interest in it. The training is conducted every day in the courtyard of the Ethnographic Museum by qualified lecturers. The trainees who successfully completed the training in the schools get Diplomas. The number of the community centers is the biggest from the cultural institutes. They are the main cell of the subsystem in the region. There are such sites in almost of the populated areas of the region. The bigger part of these cultural institutes has their independent buildings, most frequently with a hall and a library fund. The bigger of them also have club and workshop halls. The community centers are the only public buildings in villages which socio-cultural activities are implemented in and which still have not lost their cultural educational significance.

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vii. Galleries, museums, historical localities, centers for art and crafts

The museums, where portable cultural and historical monuments in certain subject-matters are concentrated in, are a significant tourist resource. On the other hand they have higher cognitive value and on the other hand their preservation and investigation are better secured. There are museums and museum collections in the bigger towns. Most of them are historical- ethnographic. A lot of valuable exhibits from antiquity and the Middle Ages are preserved in them. Museology is also faced by financial problems which to one or another degree trouble its development and the preservation of the museum units. There are 9 numbers of museums in the region. The following expositions are under the control of the Regional Burgas Museum: The town of Burgas – Archeological exposition, ethnographic exposition, historical exposition and natural and scientific exposition; House-museum collection Petya Dubarova - Municipality of Burgas Region of Burgas – Municipal Museum of History – Sredets, Museum of History - Municipality of Karnobat, House - Museum Dimitar Polyanov – Karnobat, Municipal Museum – Malko Tarnovo, Museum collection Peter’s Field, Museum collection village of Brashlyan, Archeological museum - Municipality of Sozopol, Art Gallery - Municipality of Sozopol, Archeological museum - Municipality of Nessebar, Museum of History of the town of Pomorie, Museum of Salt – town of Pomorie, House Lazar Stanev – town of Aytos, Museum collection – town of Aytos, Museum collection of Viticulture – village of Sugurlare, Museum collection - town of Kableshkovo, Museum collection – village of REGIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY - DIRECTORATE 8000 Town of Burgas, 69, Slavyanska Street Tel.: +359 56 82 03 44, +359 56 84 25 82 Fax: +359 56 84 25 88 email: [email protected] ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPOSITIONS

8000 Town of Burgas, 69, Slavyanska Street Tel.: +359 56 84 25 87 email: [email protected] The ethnographic exposition to the Regional Museum of History – Burgas offers the richest ethnographic collection in Southeastern Bulgaria. The historical core of the old Burgas

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with its traditional culture and lifestyle is presented here. The exposition is located in the known in Burgas Brakalov’s house, which belonged to the emblematic public man and patriot Dimitar Brakalov, twice Mayor of the town of Burgas. The house was built in 1873 and in conformity with its architectural plan belongs to the type “Balkan” urban house of the 19th century – the only preserved such in the town of Burgas. The most attractive collection of Bulgarian national costumes of the ethnographic groups in the region, inclusive of the Bulgarian migrants from today’s Greece and Turkey is located here. Women’s ornaments – silver, gold, with beads, which are an integral part of the holiday clothes may be seen in the exposition.

ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPOSITION

8000 Town of Burgas, 21, Aleko Bogoridi Blvd. Tel.: +359 56 84 35 41 email: [email protected] Collections of archeological finds related to ancient Thrace, the Greek colonies along the Black seaside and the time of the Roman Empire are exhibited in the Archeological Exposition to the Regional Museum of History - Burgas. Unique exhibits show the earliest history of navigation in the Black Sea as well as the development of the prospering Southern Black Sea ports in Bulgaria during the Middle Ages up to the fall of the country under Ottoman Rule at the end of the 14th – the middle of the 15th century.

NATURAL SCIENTIFIC EXPOSITION

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8000 Town of Burgas, 3, Fotinov Street Tel.: +359 56 84 32 39 e-mail: [email protected] The natural scientific exposition of the Regional Museum of History – Burgas is the only one of its kind along the Southeastern Black seaside. It presents the geo-historical development and the modern natural diversity of Southeastern Bulgaria and cooperates for the preservation of the unique nature. The exposition has the unique collections “The Magic World of the Stone”, “Flora and Fauna of Strandzha Mountain”, “Bird Resources of Burgas Humid Zones”. A multitude of educational programs use a rich information base of the Burgas natural scientific exposition. It offers to young people a modern way to get acquainted with the bio-diversity of Burgas region through photographic and video materials. An eco-club, a summer eco-school and a competition for the Cup of the Natural Scientific Museum are offered for the most inquisitive ones.

HISTORICAL EXPOSITION

8000 Town of Burgas, 31, Lermontov Street Tel.: +359 56 84 18 15 email: [email protected]

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Original exhibits, photographs and documents from events and personalities related to the history of the town are exhibited in the historical exposition to the Regional Museum of History - Burgas. The icon hall offers a view over works of high value of the masters from the Bulgarian Renaissance. The Museum of History is also a preferred place for interesting visiting exhibitions. A municipal museum of history in the town of Tsarevo and a municipal museum of history in the town of Primorsko were built up. Museum of History - town of Primorsko

The Museum of History is located in the central part of the town, realized with funds under a European program. The presented archeological expositions consist of exhibits found in excavations on the territory and aquatory of the municipality of Primorsko as: a tumulus in the locality of Chenger, a Thracian sanctuary Begliktash and the dolmens on the territory of the municipality, the castle wall Urdoviza – town of Kiten. There are visiting archeological expositions from the National Museum of History – Sofia and the archeological museum – town of Sozopol in it. The museum also has an ethnographic collection which presents the lifestyle of the people from Black Sea Strandzha during last century. It consists of national costumes, objects and containers of everyday life.

Accessibility for visit: All year round; availability of guide servicing in Bulgarian, Russian and English languages; accessible for people with disabilities. Working time during the season: from 10:00 h to 13:00 h and from 14.00 h to 19.00 h, without days off.

Transport accessibility: The museum is located in the center of the town; you can get to it along an asphalt road. The site is visible and easily accessible.

Tourist infrastructure: There are hotels, food establishments, children’s grounds in its direct proximity.

Permanent archeological exhibition – “Secrets from the Sea Bottom”, town of Kiten

The exposition was opened in 2006. Finds from a sunken pre-historical settlement, a sunken ship and anchors are exhibited in it. The history of the town of Kiten from its creation up to nowadays was rе-created. Artefacts found during the archeological investigations of castle wall Urdoviza are shown in the exhibition.

Accessibility for visits: During the summer season, an entrance fee, guide servicing in the .

Transport accessibility: It is located in the center of the town of Kiten.

Tourist infrastructure: Next to the post office, there are places for accommodation, food establishments, shops in the proximity.

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There are over 10 art galleries in the town of Burgas. Gallery Petko Zadgorski is the indisputable leader amongst them. Its exposition is arranged in the one time Jewish , now announced as a monument of culture. The gallery contains works by Bulgarian , some modern Burgas artists as well as the richest collection of icons within the region of Strandzha.

Archeological museum Nessebar

The archeological museum in Nessebar was created in 1956 and its first exposition was arranged in the church Saint John the Baptist. It was moved to its new building built up especially for a museum in 1994. Exposition Nessebar during the Centuries was arranged here, which numerous monuments of culture are presented in, which illustrate the history of antique Mesambriya and Nessebar of the Middle Ages. The exposition area of the museum comprises a lounge and four halls.

The Diploma certifying the entry of Old Nessebar in the List of the Monuments of the World Cultural Heritage occupies a worthy place in it. This happened on 9 December 1983 at the 7th session of the World Heritage Committee held in the city of Florence, Italy.

Archeological museum Sozopol

The archeological museum of Sozopol is located in the old part of the town. The museum is located in the building of the temple St. St. Cyril and Methodius, as well as in several halls provided by the cultural center of the town of Sozopol. The archeological museum presents the history and the thousand-year old cultural tradition of the town of Sozopol from the end of the 6th millennium before Christ to the 17th century after Christ. The collections of stone and lead anchors and bayonets – 2nd – 1st millennium before Christ, painted vases – 6th – 5th centuries before Christ and antique and Middle Age – 6th century before Christ – 14th century after Christ are the most remarkable. The museum is structured into two directions: archeology (5th millennium before Christ – 17th century after Christ) and Christian art (17th – 19th centuries). The alabaster casket in which the relics of St. John the Baptist were preserved for centuries on end and the small box with an inscription in which tells about the way of the relics to the Island of Saint John may be seen in the Archeological Museum. The relics of the Saint were found in archeological excavations on the near Island of Saint John during the summer of 2010. Today the valuable relic frequently visits other towns and when it is in Sozopol, it may be seen in the temple St. St. Cyril and Methodius in the town.

viii. Theaters, cinemas, community centers, cultural institutions

Opera – Philharmonic Society Burgas was created by a Decree of the Council of Ministers in 2000. It unites two main musical institutes – Burgas Opera House and the State Philharmonic Society - Burgas. As a state institute the Burgas Philharmonic Society has existed since 1947. Premieres and almost all works of Bulgarian composers are performed here.

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The mixed choir in Burgas was formed in 1972 when Burgas Opera House became a state music institute. The choir with the Opera – Philharmonic Society Burgas participates in the realization of operas, musical and children’s performances. Burgas is one of the few Bulgarian towns with its own opera and ballet theater. Its repertoire includes classical and Bulgarian works as well as musical classics. Burgas opera which is also used by the philharmonic orchestra is with an advanced design and excellent acoustics. Dramatic Theater Adriana Budevska bears the name of one of the most famous Bulgarian theater actresses. In its long history it provided Bulgaria with a priceless constellation of names of great directors, actors and producers. Burgas theater is one of the brightest symbols of the town and is a part of its magnetic essence. Theoretically the active season in Burgas is from October to May but in practice it continues all year round and in summer a great part of the national cultural life moves to the resort centers. Visiting performances are held in the halls of the Garrison Military Club and the House of Culture Neftohimik (Oil Chemist). State Puppet Theater - Burgas is a professional theater for children, founded in 1954, and in 1962 it acquired its state statute. From then up to date the characters of a lot of Bulgarian and world classical works for children came to life under the footlights of the theater. With its over 250 realized productions, over 10 000 implemented performances before nearly 3 000 000 viewers, foreign tours in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, a multitude of individual and collective prized from national reviews and international festivals, the State Puppet Theater – Burgas ratified itself as one of the leading ones in the country. The theater group maintains a repertoire of minimum 20 titles and 4 new productions are created each season and nearly 300 performances are realized. The theater has modern sound and lighting equipment and 200 seats. People’s Community House Probuda (Awakening) 1880, the town of Burgas is a cultural – educational association created in 1880. The community has a rich history and is the initial founder of a lot of professional cultural institutes in the town. It has a library, amateur formations, foreign language schools and art schools. The LIBRARY is an educational, social, cultural and information center, a part of the overall vision of the community center and a unifier of the other units working to it. It has an exceptionally rich fund of 100 024 volumes, of which 97 011 books, 1088 periodic and other editions. ENSEMBLE ATANAS MANCHEV – It was created in 1945. It unites fans of dancing folklore of various ages and social groups. It conducts an all-year-round training, realizes independent concerts and participates in common events of the community center with other cultural and educational institutes in the initiatives of the Municipality of Burgas, touring in the region, in the country and abroad. It popularizes the folklore dancing art and the richness of the Bulgarian folklore in international and national folklore festivals. It made successful tours in Russia, Turkey, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, , Italy, Belgium, Holland, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Afghanistan and so on. In partnership with the social institutions on the territory of the municipality it works in conformity with a program for integration and rehabilitation of underprivileged children and adults. The following function with the ensemble: a children’s dancing group, a teen dancing group, a representative dancing group, a dancing formation of veterans and an orchestra.

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CLUB SEASONS – It was created in 1996 as a vocal studio and includes young performers aged from 4 to 19 with proven successes in various music competitions and festivals, and provides them with possibility to present their talents and participate actively in the cultural program of the community center, the holidays of other educational and cultural institutions and the Municipality of Burgas. The participants in the club take part in national and international competitions and they are bearers of numerous awards and prize places. STUDIO FABULOUS THEATER revives an old but exceptionally needed by our town tradition. It unites talented children, young people and their parents, creating possibility for discussions, consultations and presentation of theater performances. SCHOOLS – The schools to the community center work mainly with adolescents at school age, organized in group and individual activities in conformity with ratified programs. They conduct training classes and productions, participate in competitions, workshops, exhibitions, races. The schools are for studying the – children and adults, a school in mathematics, in the Bulgarian language and literature, in fine and applied arts. A number of the community center events conducted during the years have their permanent audience – Miracles on St. Nicholas’ Day, Following the Steps of Easter Rabbit, Grandmother’s Dower-Chest, Autograph, Under the Christmas Tree as well as the numerous concerts of amateur groups. People’s Community Center Lyuben Karavelov 1940, the town of Burgas - On 18.02.1940 Shteryu Todinov, Dimitar Dobrev, Siderova, Marinka Gradeva and others, at the request from the district next to the Old Station filed an application to the Municipality of Burgas to allow the opening of a community center. On 3 March the same year the beginning of the new community center was laid which was titled Lyuben Karavelov being related to the fact that the constituent assembly was held in one of the rooms of the school with the same name. Inhabitants of the district donated monetary sums and 300 books which laid the beginning of the library fund. In the course of the years the community center developed rich and diversified artistic-creative, educational and cultural activities. As early as in 1957 a foreign language kindergarten for studying Russian, German and French languages was created here, which continued its existence up to year 2002. The members of the community center and the children have possibility to attend language courses, study groups in photography, art speech, fine arts and a literary club. The Theater of the Fairy Tale, the School in Graphics, Duo Matich – a group for illusions, the study circle for composing are very popular. As of this time the available library fund has 47 800 numbers of library units, there are 12 periodic editions at disposal in the reading room. The community center is the organizer of traditional cultural events: the International Literary Competition Art against Drugs, the evening of the Slavonic literature Holy Words, which authors from Russia, Macedonia, Poland, Croatia, Serbia participated in, a Poetic Café dedicated to the International Day of Poetry and so on. Folklore Formation Trakiyche (Little Thracian), a bearer of dozens of prizes from regional and national competitions and festivals: Spring (Orfeevo Izvorche), , Bozhura, Joy on the Coast (Radost na Brega) and others has existed to the community center since 1991.

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Literary studio Mythical Birds was created in 1993 by Roza Boyanova – a poetess and an art pedagogue. The poems created by the young people in the studio are known in the countries of Europe, in the USA and Japan. The studio has published already 16 books – collections and debut books of its members, bearers of dozens national and international prizes. The well- known Bulgarian poet Lyubomir Levchev is its godfather. The group for old town and popular songs Sea Breeze was created in 2007. It is the bearer of prize places from national competitions in Plovdiv /2008, 2009/. Its managers are Hacho Sarabyan, Annie Markova, Emanuil Arnaudov. A musical school with classes in the piano and the guitar also functions in the community center with lecturers Angelina Popova and Yakim Yakimov. People’s Community Center Asen Zlatarov 1940, the town of Burgas - On 24.11.1940 in District Aleksandar Georgiev Kodzhakafaliyata /today complex Brothers Miladinovs/ the Principal of the School Todor Neykov held a meeting in one of the classrooms at which the community center was established under the name Aleksandar Georgiev. The names of famous persons in various spheres of the cultural life of the town may be seen amongst the founders. On 03.03.1945 at a General Meeting the Management Board renamed the community center to the name of the prominent our scientist Prof. Asen Zlatarov. From this date on it has borne this name in all the documents. The community center moved its base to 147, Aleksandrovska Street in 1956 and since then it has serviced a district in the center of the town with inhabitants about 30 000 people. The following were created to it: a dancing and folklore group of young enthusiastic dancers and singers, a study circle in fine arts and puppetry, a Russian half-day kindergarten, a modern dances group, a group for authentic folklore, a chamber ensemble for singing John Chrysostom. A vocal group for old urban songs Retro-Burgas a bearer of a lot of national prizes and a school in batic – known far beyond the borders of Bulgaria work for the community center now. A multitude of events are annually organized, two literary competitions are held – The Magic of the Words – dedicated to 24 May and Burgas – My Town – dedicated to the Day of Burgas – St. Nicholas’ Day. The cultural-educational activities during the years are rich in contents and diversified in forms – holidays, meetings, mornings, musical programs. The names of creators who visited the community center at the invitation of its board are entered into the annals. The library of the community center started up with 400 volumes of literature and 100 readers. Today its library fund adds up to over 43 000 library units. The library is equipped with computers with Internet, it works with library software “AB”, has a rich reference fund and good conditions for work in a reading room. People’s Community Center Far (Lighthouse) 1946 - Burgas was created on 10.12.1946 by the cultural organization Ilya Erenburg of Jews in Burgas and its name was Shalom Aleichem – the name of a famous Jewish poet. In 1952 at the initiative of the Family Maria and Petar Zlatevs it was renamed to Far and from 2010 to Far 1946. The people’s community center Far 1946 is located in an under-block space. It has a library for adults, a children’s department and a reading room. The books add up to about 40000 volumes of literature. The library is computerized and is serviced by competent and qualified librarians. There is a hall with 100 seats, where the cultural – mass activities are implemented. This is the only community center Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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in the town which has its own hall. Far represents a genuine spiritual and cultural center in Burgas. At least one event is conducted in the hall every week. The community center activists work successfully with two clubs The Circle of the Bard and Sea Hedgehogs. A national festival Salty Winds was held for four years – an exceptional holiday of the bards. During these days Burgas becomes the capital of the poets with a guitar. New songs are sung with modern texts and melodies. Club Morski Taralezhi (Sea Hedgehogs) was created in 2002. Over 40 poets and writers participate in it, who create humor and satire. Several almanacs and five newspapers were published, which reflect the activities of the club. People’s community center Izgrev (Sunrise) 1909 - Burgas is the successor of the community center in the village of Atanasovo founded in 1909. It is the bearer of medal Cyril and Methodius – first degree. It has the following activities – educational in four main directions: Regional Studies, It is Time for Reading, Nature and Human Beings, Healthy Way of Life; Cultural – entertaining activities. It organizes and conducts concerts, holidays and parties on various occasions; Library-information. Library fund - 34200 volumes, foreign language collection - English, German and Russian languages about 1500 volumes, an Internet center with three users’ seats. Services: typesetting and printing, copying, scanner, gratuitous access to Internet. People’s community 1983 - Burgas functions on the territory of complex Slaveykov. The library activity is with priority. The book fund is over 33 000 library documents; the average annually permanent readers add up to about 1000, the visits - to 11 000; the handed out literature - 29 000 volumes. Half of the readers are young people. The connection of the community center with the educational institutions on the territory of the complex is traditionally good and provides positive results in the sphere of education and the creative manifestations of pupils and students. The community center renders assistance to the development of amateur creative work, organizes concerts, exhibitions, meetings with artists and cultural figures, celebrates dates and anniversaries of events and personalities from the historical and cultural calendar. Work is done under a long-term project Buditeli (Enlighteners). By a decision of the Board the bearers of the prize Enlighteners are personalities with a contribution to the development of the community center as Vanyo Valchev, Boris Buhchev, Zhelyazko Toychev, Ivan Kracholov, Nikola Strandzhanski, Velichka Seymenliyska. The prize is a plaque with the image of Pencho Slaveykov, work of the sculptor Nencho Rusev. People’s community center Hristo Botev was established in 1937 as a traditional cultural- educational center with main objectives: development and enrichment of the cultural life; preservation of the customs and the traditions, expansion of the knowledge of the citizens and their inclusion in the values and the achievements of the science, arts, culture; integration and socialization of adolescents. For the attainment of these objectives the community center implements the following activities: It maintains and develops a public library with over 3000 library units, a reading room, Internet, additional services – photocopying, computer, printing, laminating and so on. It develops amateur creative work through: vocal group Pesachinki (Grains of Sand), founded in 1998. The children participated in a lot of concerts and competitions and were awarded prizes and diplomas; applied study circle Fantasy – founded Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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in 2005. The studying of folk art is input in its activity where the little applied artists show their fantasy and skills. They win prizes and actively continue to participate in competitions. The community center has a diversified cultural program, which ratified holidays are input in – Day of the Amateur, Colorful Magic, Bango Vasil, Sacrificial Rite Bayram, Ramazan Bayram, the International Day of Roma People, the International Day of the Child, the Day of Burgas, prominent dates and events. People’s community center Hristo Botev 1937 is located in the district of Pobeda (Victory) – a district with a population from various nations – Bulgarians, Roma people, Turks, Ukrainians and so on. The bigger part of the population is unemployed and with low . Its impossibility to cope by itself directed the community center to develop and introduce additional services for the population as filling up applications, forms and so on. The technical base is fully renewed. People’s community center St. St. Cyril and Methodius 1985 is located in complex Meden Rudnik. It was created in 1985. Its main activities are in line with the needs of the community and develop in four directions: library – information, trainings, cultural events and manifestations, services. St. St. Cyril and Methodius is the second in the country community center which since 2003 has been offering people with visual impairments equal access to information through state-of-the-art technologies. Special so called software Jaws was also installed to the computers for users in the library renovated under Program “Glob@l Libraries” of Bill and Melinda Gates. The following work in the community center as of this time: a library which is automated, with a fund of 26000 volumes on traditional and electronic bearers; a literary studio Gold Feathers with an art-pedagogue the poetess Kalina Telyanova – activities with literary creative work for the development of the thinking of the children and the creation of a taste for literature; An art - school – group classes in decorative art for children and adults; a musical school – class piano – individual training in solfeggio and piano; a vocal group for Russian songs and romances – for the amateurs of the nice Russian songs with Manager Evgeniya Savova; courses for children and adults: interactive training in the English language, initial computer skills for adults. During the summer months for all the children who wish to have a different experience of the holiday, the community center offers hourly classes with arts - painting, painting with natural materials and wax, music and karaoke, dramatization in the Summer Academy of Arts. A multitude of cultural events are organized. The visiting cards of the community center are: National literary competition Sea, the annual exhibition of tapestry Color Magic, and since 2012 – the festival Colorful Cauldron – Culture and Traditions of the Local Communities. The cultural calendar of people’s community center St. St. Cyril and Methodius 1985 - Burgas also comprises various events as holiday concerts with bazaars in the open air for Easter, St. Nicholas’ Day, the Day of the Child, Christmas and so on all year round which are enjoyed by the inhabitants of the biggest residential complex in the town. The community center is a member of the Union of People’s Community Centers, Association Modern Community Centers and Platform . People’s community center Paisiy Hilendarski 1928 Burgas – The community center was founded in 1928 and services zones “С” and “D” of the biggest complex in Burgas – Meden Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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Rudnik. There is a primary school and a professional technical high school in the district. The main activities of people’s community center Paisiy Hilendarski 1928 develop in three spheres of priority – library – information, amateur – artistic creative work and cultural – educational. The activities are related to the organization of mass information events, preservation of the national customs and traditions, ratification of the music school, enrichment of the fund of the library with books, participation in festivals and municipal events, meetings with writers. It is aimed through the determination of the spheres of priority to attain comprehensiveness in the realization of the objectives of the objectives and the tasks for turning the community center into an information center and a place for the implementation of complex activities and programs based on the real needs of the local community. The main activities are: a library – in the developed civil and information society the library of community center Paisiy Hilendarski 1928 imposed itself as a mediator between the users and the information - books, periodicals, audio-visual materials, Internet. Its fund exceeds 26000 volumes. Thematic card-indexes in the theory of literature, regional studies and so on are kept which describe publications from newspapers, magazines, Internet. There is possibility for photocopying, scanning of parts of books, printing out of materials from Internet, amateur creative work – the music school of the community center is a ratified base with classes in piano, accordion, bagpipe and shepherd’s flute. The training is individual, the lecturers are highly qualified. The mummers’ group was created in 1972. As a tradition it participates in the International Festival of the masquerade games “Surva” in and in . It visited , Veselinovo, Sredets and almost all the populated areas in the region of Burgas on holidays. The children’s folklore group Zvanika has existed since 2010. It studies and preserves the authentic Strandzha folklore; cultural and educational activities – with the organization of events sought by young people, possibility is provided for the development of their creative talents. Holiday concerts in the open air for Easter and St. Nicholas’ Day are initiated. Mummers’ games are conducted, singing Christmas carols around the houses, customs and traditions are recovered. Meetings are organized – talks with writers and prominent personalities, books are presented and literary readings are organized, multimedia presentations on different subject-matters are realized as well as thematic evenings, quizzes dedicated to prominent dates and events. Work on projects is actively done. The community center is constantly directed at new, more modern forms of work – it develops its own projects and participates as a partner in others. People’s community center Paisiy Hilendarski 1928 offers computer services, photocopying, printing out of documents and materials.

c. Material Base for Recreation and Tourism, Tourist Infrastructure and Services

A base which is the ownership of private entrepreneurs predominates along the Black Seaside. Small-sized family business predominates in the inside of the region.

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The region of Burgas offers an unusual combination of mass marine tourism and alternative kinds of tourism within a region with an exceptional biological diversity. The Bulgarian investors are predominantly concentrated along the Black Seaside and this refers both to the small- and the big-sized business in search of new possibilities. A specific existing tourist practice are the proposed boat trips along the Ropotamo River, the Veleka River, Vaya Lake.

The Black Seaside municipalities are with the biggest potential for the development of the tourism and because of that the built up specialized tourist infrastructure which services the visitors is concentrated namely on their territory.

The material base of tourism is concentrated mainly into the settlement territories and the resorts along the seaside. This is a consequence both of the natural urbanization processes on the territory and of a purposeful policy of planning. The resort complexes, the private accommodation fund, the family boarding houses and holiday bases predominate along the seaside.

Whilst the private accommodation fund is comparatively new and to a certain degree fitted for the needs of the individual recreation, the so called “light base” which includes the camping sites is morally and physically worn out. The reasons are mainly in the non-clarified ownership and the absence of initial capital in the restituted properties.

The places for accommodation and the means for shelter on the territory of the region are located mainly in the region of the Black Seaside – in the resort complexes Sunny Beach, Elenite, Dyuni, the International Youth Center – Primorsko, vacation settlement Lozenets, camping sites Yug (South), Oasis, Arapya, Nestinarka (Fire Dancer), Delphin (Dolphin), Koral (Coral), Kavatsite.

The number of the means for shelter in the region of Burgas is 1 176 nos. - 86% of all the means for shelter in Southeastern Planning Area (SEPA). The means for shelter in resort complex Sunny Beach add up to 118 nos., and with regard to this indicator it occupies the first place of the nine resort complexes in the country. In 2011 94.2% of all the revenues from night accommodation in SEPA were realized in the region. Revenues from night accommodation in the amount of BGN 141 358 095 were realized solely in resort complex Sunny Beach, which is 53,1% of those of SEPA and 19,3% of the revenues from night accommodation for the country. A total of 182 hotels, apart hotels, hostels and guest houses are categorized in the municipality of Burgas, but also in the districts of Sarafovo, Kraymorie, Vetren and Park Rosenets. The hotels are in various categories, one of them is 5-star, the 4-star ones are 4 in number and the 3-star ones add up to 42, and the remaining ones are in various lower categories.

A multitude of lodgings are offered in the the town of Burgas (inclusive of the district of Kraymorie and the district of Sarafovo) with a bed base of about 400 beds. Chalet Strandzha with 100 places for shelter, a disco club and a restaurant are located in the picturesque park Rosenets.

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The accelerated and large-scale constructions along the Black seaside with a new hotel base, vacation settlements and resort zones result in overload of the utility-everyday infrastructure, the engineering facilities, the transport and the ecological infrastructure and from here in delay of the rate of development of the modern and international tourism with higher revenues and profitableness for the regional and local economies. Solely the most southern territories at the Black seaside are maximally preserved in their natural kind and were protected up to now from urbanistic tourist development.

7.3.1. Tour operating and tourist agency activities

The following are registered in the Register of registered tour operators (TO) and tourist agents (TA) to the Ministry of Tourism in the Republic of Bulgaria (http://tourism.egov.bg/registers/TORegister.aspx): Municipality of Aytos – 1 company Municipality of Burgas – 199 companies Municipality of Nessebar – 99 companies Municipality of Pomorie – 42 companies Municipality of Sozopol – 35 companies Municipality of Primorsko – 12 companies Municipality of Tsarevo – 6 companies Municipality of Karnobat – 2 companies 13% of the registered tour operators’ and tourist agencies in the country are located in the region of Burgas. Over 90% of the foreign tour operators’ companies in Bulgaria work here. 7.3.2. Hotel and restaurant keeping – tourist sites

The data about realized night accommodations in the region of Burgas reflected in the Regional Strategy (2015 – 2020) are indicated in the tables and the figures herein below:

Table. Persons who spent the night in conformity with the duration of stay in the means for shelter in 2011. /Number/ Inclusive of Total, 1-3 night accommodations, 4 and more night accommodations Total Bulgarians Foreigners

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Fig. Structure of night accommodations and the citizenship of the persons who spent the night for 2011 in the region of Burgas Total Bulgarians Foreigners 1-3 night accommodations 4 and more night accommodations

Fig. Structure of the persons who spent the night in means for shelter and revenues from night accommodations (Thousand BGN) Bulgarians Foreigners

7.3.2.1. Places for accommodation – hotels, motels, apartment tourist complexes, villa settlements, tourist settlements and villas; family hotels, hostels, boarding houses, holiday homes, guest houses, guest rooms, guest apartments, bungalows and camping sites; tourist chalets, tourist training centers and tourist dormitories, tourist canteens, tourist buffets;

The register of the categorized tourist sites to the Ministry of Tourism in the Republic of Bulgaria (http://tourism.egov.bg/registers/Register.aspx) provides information about the places for accommodation and the food and entertainment establishments categorized by the Ministry of Tourism.

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The material and technological base (MTB) in tourism is concentrated in the Black seaside municipalities: Nessebar, Pomorie, Burgas, Sozopol, Primorsko and Tsarevo. The main kinds of means for accommodation on the territory of the region of Burgas are: hotels, motels, apartment tourist complexes, villa settlements, tourist settlements and villas; family hotels, hostels, boarding houses, holiday homes, guest houses, guest rooms, guest apartments, bungalows and camping sites. Data of the National Statistical Institute for 2013 indicate the leading place of the region of Burgas in the tourism in the country. 111 843 beds or 37% of those in the country are categorized in the region of Burgas. The persons who spent the night in them add up to 1 268 312, or 22% of those in the country. Of them the foreigners are 908 408 or 32% of those in the country. The total number of night accommodations realized in the region of Burgas is 8 009 789 or 37% of those in Bulgaria, and the night accommodations realized by foreigners are 6 548 214, or 46% of those in a national scale. The revenues from night accommodations are BGN 340 703 674 or 38% of those in the country.

The main kinds of means for accommodation in the the town of Burgas are hotels. A multitude of independent rooms and apartments is also offered in the the town of Burgas (inclusive of the district of Kraymorie and the district of Sarafovo). Strandzha Chalet with 100 places for shelter, a disco club and a restaurant is located in the picturesque park Rosenets as well as small hotels and holiday bases.

In the municipality of Nessebar the tourist base is concentrated mainly in resort complex Sunny Beach, vacation settlement Elenite, the towns of Nessebar, Obzor and Sveti Vlas and the village of Ravda. In the resort complex Sunny Beach there is also a multitude of restaurants, attraction and national establishments, bars and disco clubs. There are sports entertainments and attractions for adults and children. Vacation settlement Elenite has hotels, two- and three-storeyed comfortable villas located at the seaside, picturesquely entered into the beautiful countryside. The vacation settlement also offers restaurants, cafés- confectioneries, day-time and night bars, courses in water sports, terrains for tennis court, volleyball, football, mini-golf, a swimming-pool, saunas, an animation hall, a kindergarten and so on. Ravda offers conveniences to its tourists in a multitude of family hotels and lodgings. Sveti Vlas offers the unique combination of mountainous and sea climate. Comfortable hotels and cozy restaurants constitute a part of the constantly modernized base. The means for accommodation in Obzor are concentrated into comfortable hotels, independent rooms and family boarding houses. The holiday base in the municipality of Pomorie is concentrated into 4- and 5-star hotels, family hotels and lodgings, equipped comfortably and multifunctionally. Some of the most modern hotels in the region – Balneological hotel Pomorie, the Saint George Hotel and spa, Sun Set Resort, Festa Hotel and others were built up here. The main tourist centers on the territory of the municipality of Sozopol are the town of Sozopol and the town of . The means for accommodation are mainly hotels and family boarding houses. Villa Settlement Dyuni (Dunes) with a total capacity of 1 140 beds in hotels and villas is located in the proximity of Sozopol. The main means of the municipality of Primorsko for accommodation are concentrated into Primorsko and Kiten – in hotels, camping sites, bungalows, family boarding houses, lodgings, holiday homes. Albena AD (JSC), branch International Youth Center – Primorsko has a total of 2 705 beds. The number of the holiday bases and private lodgings is the biggest in the municipalities of Malko Tarnovo and Tsarevo and the number of the categorized hotels is the smallest. In the

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inside of Natural Park Strandzha the means for accommodation and shelter, in particular the bed base is also developed. In the municipality of Sredets there is a built up zone for recreation in the locality of Bozhura. Holiday homes, bungalows and chalets are built up in it. It is used for short-term recreation, sports camps and hunting tourism. There are built-up bases in the state forestries in the region which are used for hunting tourism. 7.3.2.2. Food and entertainment establishments (independent and associated to the accommodation places) – restaurants, fast servicing establishments, drinking establishments, cafés-pastry shops and bars;

Various kinds of food and entertainment establishments (independent and associated to accommodation places) - restaurants, fast servicing establishments, drinking establishments, cafés-pastry shops and bars are registered in the region of Burgas. A great part of them are seasonal in connection with the summer tourist season. There is a list of the sites which are with high category (over 3 stars) and their capacity in the register of the Ministry of Tourism in the Republic of Bulgaria http://tourism.egov.bg/registers/Register.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 The food and entertainment establishments with a lower category are categorized by the Mayor of each municipality.

7.3.2.3. The independent and associated to places for accommodation balneological curative (medical SPA) centers, SPA centers, wellness centers and thalassotherapy centers;

The region of Burgas is rich in balneological resources – mineral waters and healing mud, which were used as early as in antiquity. The deposits with firth, pead and mineral spring mud are of the greatest significance. Specialized medical institutions and balneological hotels have functioned for over 100 years in the immediate proximity of these deposits, which offer peloid therapy aimed at prophylactics and rehabilitation of a number of diseases of the skeletal and muscular system, of the peripheral nervous system, of the female and male reproductive systems, skin diseases. The advantage of the Bulgarian mud treatment does not consist solely of the valuable kinds of mud, with a proven healing effect but also of the possibility for the conduct of a complex treatment with a lot of other natural facts –a favorable climate, sea, sun, mineral waters and warm sea water, spacious beaches with fine and clean sand. The combination of the peloid therapy with the modern preformed physical factors /physiotherapy, remedial gymnastics, massages/ exceptionally increases their therapeutic efficiency. The scientific research of many years indicates that Bulgaria has practically inexhaustible quantities of mud healing resources with a varied composition and origin. Seaside /lagoon-firth/ mud deposits – These mud deposits are located along the Black Seaside on the bottom of salty lakes called firths. The firths are in the immediate proximity of the sea and are separated from it by narrow, several meters tresses, through which salty sea water infiltrates. The following lakes with mud healing deposits are located from north to

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south: Pomorie Lake and Atanasov’s Lake. The firth mud /mud, Schlamme, fangi/ is uniform, thick, plastic mass with black color with smell of hydrogen sulfide. The formation is an exceptionally slow process of 1 mm per year under appropriate conditions. It is with predominantly inorganic composition. Up to a great degree its healing effect is determined by its physical and physico-chemical properties. The mud in Israel, the Dead Sea is with similar physico-chemical properties /with bigger salinity/, in Romania, Techirghiol at the Black Sea and on the Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine. Pomorie Lake – average sulfide mud, with good physical indicators, reserves 1448000 t. The mud is used in the Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital /the Ministry of Health/ and the base of the Military Medical Academy as well as another 4 balneological hotels. Atanasov’s Lake – the mud is average sulfide with good physical indicators, reserves 60000 t, it is used in the Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital in the village of Vetren /Burgas Mineral Baths/ and in 3 balneological hotels. The availability of mineral water allows its combination for drinking and external application with mud treatment.

The following institutions for treatment and rehabilitation work on the territory of the town of Pomorie all year round: Pomorie Branch to Specialized Rehabilitation Hospitals – National Complex EAD (JSC) Sofia (the mud baths); Hospital base in balneology, rehabilitation and prophylactics St. George the Victorious – Pomorie (military sanatorium); National Social Rehabilitation Center, Youth Center St. George - Pomorie. Burgas is one of the most famous seaside resorts in our country located on the Southern Black Seaside. Further to with its beautiful sea and spacious beaches, Burgas will surprise you also with wonderful possibilities offered in the region for balneological treatment and Spa in the open air, through taking mud baths. The miraculous lye and mud act as a magnet for Bulgarians from all over the country, who gather around the salt-works in Burgas to enjoy the unique effect of these natural gifts. It is not a secret that the healing properties of the mud were known as early as in ancient times and that procedures were conducted with it for embellishment and rejuvenation. The Egyptians were famous for smearing their entire bodies with mud and after that stayed in the sun so that the mud should dry up. After that they gradually washed out the mud from their bodies and enjoyed its unique effect over the body. The mud acts favorably in joint, skin and gynecological problems. It is contraindicated, however, for people with cardiovascular diseases to make mud baths. Lye is the other natural miracle which is used as a painkiller and for toning.

Burgas mineral baths are also located in the proximity of the town. They are located at 15 km into the northwestern direction and were built up amidst greenery and . This is one of the oldest balneological centers in our country. The mineral water which gushes there is suitable for treatment and prophylactics of diseases of the skeletal and muscular system, the peripheral nervous system, chronic gastritis and pyelonephritis and so on. The water has a beneficial effect also for the strengthening of the general condition of the body. The temperature of the thermal water is about 41 degrees, it is clear and colorless, slightly mineralized with a total flow rate of 36 l/sеc.

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7.3.3. Tourist information centers; visitors’ centers for presentation and exposition of the local natural and cultural heritage;

The countryside of the region of Burgas provides exceptional possibilities for the enrichment of the tourist product with new kinds of tourism. The created network of 1 natural park – NP (Natural Park) Strandzha, reserves and natural places of interest create conditions for various kinds of specialized tourism, photo-, observation of birds and plants, rock climbing, , speleological tourism and so on. The mountains Strandzha and Stara Planina (the Balkan Mountain) have good passability. The first eco pathway was built up in the region town of Sredets – the Dam Lake – the locality of Bozhura. It represents a comparative novelty for the region. It was built up with natural materials amidst attractive natural environment, with a high degree of natural diversity. The nature conservation centers are a valuable resource for the development of the ecological tourism and possibility for diversifying the tourist product, specialized in the investigation and preservation of rare species, awareness of the natural diversity and tourist routes, implementation of training programs. A nature conservation center Poda (the Floor) functions in the region of Burgas – on the main road Е 87- Burgas - Sozopol/ built up aimed at the observation and preservation of the bird diversity within the region; Shelter for observation of birds - Burgas, located in Atanasov’s Lake – on the main road Burgas – Sunny Beach; Visitors’ Center Ropotamo – opened in 2003 on the territory of the protected locality; Museum of Salt - Pomorie – opened in 2002 and located in Pomorie Lake. Possibilities for short-term recreation of the population of Burgas - Park Rosenets, Burgas mineral baths. The protected territories are especially attractive for visits during all the seasons of the year. The unique vegetation and animal species attract not only specialists and researchers but also ordinary tourists. The clean environment has become the most demanded component of the tourist products in the last ten years. Regardless of the investment of funds for preservation, conservation and the maintenance of a great number of protected localities and landmarks in the forestry fund, they are not sufficiently advertised in the tourist routes.

There is a built up network of well functioning tourist information centers in the region of Burgas. The most significant of them are the following:

1. Tourist Information Center, град Бургас

Address: Town of Burgas, Hristo Botev Street (subway of the opera house)

Tel..: +359 56 825 772; +359 56 841 542

E-mail: [email protected]

Site: www.gotoburgas.com

Offered services:

A detailed database about all the available natural, cultural, architectural and historical landmarks on the territory of the Municipality of Burgas is maintained in the Tourist Information Center – town of Burgas.

The center performs coordination between the various entrepreneurs for the formation of the possibly richest tourist product, develops advertising materials and represents the

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Municipality of Burgas at regional, national and international tourist exchanges and expositions. Information is obtained in the Tourist Information Center about:

• Natural places of interest; • Museums and historical monuments; cultural institutes; • Cultural and sports manifestations and events; • Tourist routes; • Hotels and other places for accommodation in Burgas and its surroundings; • Food and entertainment establishments; • Sports places; • Tourist agencies and tour operators; • Transport and communications; • Health care institutions; • Banks and financial institutions.

2. Tourist Information Center, town of Malko Tarnovo

Address: town of Malko Tarnovo - 8162, Preobrazhenie Square

Tel..: 05952/ 30 17; 0886 647 201

Fax: 05952/ 31 28

E-mail: [email protected]

Site: www.malkotarnovo.org; www.malkotarnovo.yes.bg

Offered services:

• The main objective of the center is to contribute to the use of full value of the rich resource potential of the municipality, improvement and diversification of its tourist offering and its popularization on the internal and the international market.

• The center maintains a detailed database about all the available natural and cultural tourist landmarks and attractions, as well as about the offered facilities and services. It performs coordination between the various entrepreneurs for the formation of the possibly richest tourist product, the development of advertising materials and presents the tourist supply of the municipality at regional, national and international tourist exchanges.

3. Tourist Information Center, town of Nessebar

Address: town of Nessebar, 10, Mesambriya Street

Tel.: 0554 42-611; 0554 29-346

Fax: 0554 29-347

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E-mail: [email protected];

Site: www.visitnessebar.org

Offered services:

It provides:

• Information about the general vision of the Municipality of Nessebar: territorial structure, natural and cultural-historical landmarks, transport infrastructure; • Information about transportation and carrier’s services: o Internal-municipal transport – timetables, prices of tickets and location of the bus stops; o Timetables of the flights of Burgas Airport; timetable of arriving and departing trains from railway station Burgas; o Timetable of arriving and departing buses from bus stations Burgas-south and west; o Timetable of the bus lines for the country with last (first stop town of Nessebar or resort complex Sunny Beach); o Timetable of the international bus lines, passing or starting from the town of Nessebar or resort complex Sunny Beach; • Information about a telephone connection and location of: first aid, anti-fire protection, police, municipal administration, state institutions, tourist branch associations, registered tour operators and tourist agents and categorized tourist sites on the territory of the Municipality of Nessebar; • Cultural program of the Municipality of Nessebar – festivals, parties, celebrations, holidays; • Sale of tourist maps, posters, guidebooks, advertising and historical books of the Municipality of Nessebar and the Republic of Bulgaria.

4. Tourist Information Center, town of Obzor

Address: town of Obzor 8250, 2, Street

Tel..: 0556/ 35124

E-mail: [email protected]

Offered services:

• It provides information materials; • It provides information about: the general vision of the town; transport connections; natural landmarks and historical heritage; cultural, sports events, celebrations, performances, holiday events and so on.

5. Tourist Information Center, town of Pomorie

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Address: 8200 town of Pomorie, Cyril and Methodius Square

Tel..: 0596 2 22 78;

E-mail: [email protected]

Offered services:

• Tourist information about the general vision of the municipality of Pomorie – territorial structure, natural and cultural-historical landmarks, transport infrastructure; • Tourist information about transportation and carrier’s services – internal-municipal transport, timetable and location of the bus stops, timetable of the bus lines for the country with last / first stop the town of Pomorie; • Tourist information about the conditions in the centers for treatment and rehabilitation.

Working time:

During the winter season: Mondays - Fridays: 10:00-12:00 h 13:00-18:00 h. Saturdays: 10:00-15:00 h. Sundays: Days off

During the summer season: Every day 9:00-20:00 h.

6.Tourist Information Center Primorsko

7. Tourist Information Center Tsarevo

7.3.4. Other kinds – horse riding bases for amateur riding and routes for horse riding; the aqua parks, the water attraction and adventure parks; the attraction and thematic parks; the golf courses; the places for observation of wild animals and birds;

The attractions for each municipality in the region of Burgas are entered into the Register of Tourist Attractions to the Ministry of Tourism (http://tourism.egov.bg/registers/TARegister.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1): Municipality of Aytos – Forest park Slaveeva Reka, Zoo Park – Aytos and an Architectural Ethnographic Complex Genger; Municipality of Burgas – Tourist complex Akve Kalide, Natural Conservation Center Poda, Eco Zone Vaya, Eco Zone Foros, Festival of Sand Sculptures, Archeological Museum, Museum of History, Ethnographic Museum, Natural Scientific Museum, House-Museum Petya Dubarova, Art Gallery Petko Zadgorski, House-Museum Georgi Baev and Island Saint Anastasia; Municipality of Karnobat – House-Museum Dimitar Polyanov, Archeological Museum – Karnobat and Middle Ages Fortress ;

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Municipality of Malko Tarnovo – Caves and springs in Mladezhka River – village of Mladezhko, Dolmens the village of Kalovo, Chapel Holy Trinity over a cave – the village of Vizitsa, Orthodox Temple Assumption – town of Malko Tarnovo, Fire Dancers’ Sanctuary the Big Ayazma and plank beds in the locality of Vlahov Dol – the village of Gramatikovo, Cave Svetilishte (Sanctuary) – the village of , Cult Complex in the locality Mishkova Niva (Mouse Field) – next to Malko Tarnovo, Museum of History Professor Aleksandar Fol – Malko Tarnovo, Peak Golyamo Gradishte – next to Malko Tarnovo, Mound Necropolis in the locality of Propada – a complex of tomb facilities from various epochs – town of Malko Tarnovo, rock sanctuary in the locality of Kamaka (the Stone) – town of Malko Tarnovo, rock consecrated ground in the locality of Indipassha – a sanctuary with a spring – the village of Slivarovo, an architectural reserve village of Brashlyan – 76 houses are architectural monuments of culture – 9 of national significance, the rest – of local such, a church school - the village of Zabernovo, church Saint Dimitar – the village of Brashlyan, church school – the village of Brashlyan, Balyu’s house - the village of Brashlyan, Bratan’s cave - the village of Brashlyan, Dolmens and Roman sepulchre – the village of Evrenozovo, Centuries-Old Trees – the village of Zabernovo, Eastern Catholic Temple Holy Trinity – town of Malko Tarnovo, Church Holy Forty Martyrs – the village of Gramatikovo, Church Saint Iliya – the village of Stoilovo, Church Saint Athanasius – the village of , Church Holy Trinity – the village of Vizitsa, Church Saint George – the village of Kalovo, Church Saint Luka – the village of Zabernovo, Church Saint Prophet Iliya – the village of Byala Voda, Church Saint Panteleymon – the village of Slivarovo; Municipality of Nessebar – Church Saint Todor, Church Saint Spas, Church Saint Christ Pantocrator, Church Saint John the Baptist, Church Saint John Aliturgetos, Church Saint Kliment, Church Saint , protected natural locality , protected natural locality Kalinata, protected natural locality Ortoto, protected natural locality Smrikite, Church Saint Paraskeva, Church St. St. Michael and Gavrail, Archeological Museum – Nessebar, landmark , Church Saint Stephen, landmark Sand Dunes Sunny Beach, landmark Sand Dunes Nessebar, Architectural Reserve Ancient Nessebar; Municipality of Pomorie – Museum of History – Pomorie, Museum of Salt – Pomorie, Pre- Historical Eneolithic Settlement Kozareva Mogila – Kableshkovo, a monument to – Pomorie, House-Museum of Peyo Yavorov – Pomorie, a people’s community center Prosveta (Enlightenment) 1888 – Pomorie, a people’s community center Svetlina (Light) 1939 - Pomorie, Church Nativity of Blessed Mother of God – Pomorie, Church Transformation of Our Lord – Pomorie, Church Saint Paraskeva of Rome – the village of Kamenar, Friary Saint George, protected locality Chairite village of Goritsa, protected zone Pomorie Lake, natural rock formation Dobrovan’s Mushrooms, Antique Dome Tomb, Ensemble Old Pomorie Houses, Speedway village of Poroy, exhibition exposition Traces of the Past – town of Kableshkovo; Municipality of Primorsko – , Yacht trip and a picnic, festival of the extreme sports, aquapark, Thracian sanctuary Beglik tash, permanent archeological exhibition Secrets from the Sea Bottom – town of Kiten, Museum Collection Bulgarian Yasna Polyana – town of Primorsko, reserve Ropotamo, a boat trip along the Ropotamo River, diving; Municipality of Sozopol – Temple Holy Martyr Mina – village of Atiya, Church Holy Virgin – town of Sozopol, Church Saint George the Victorious – town of Sozopol, Church Saint Zosim – town of Sozopol, Church St. St. Cyril and Methodius – town of Sozopol, Church Saint Nicholas – town of Chernomorets, Temple Saint Iliya – the village of Indzhe Voyvoda, Archeological Museum – Sozopol, Art Gallery (building of the old school) – Sozopol, Ethnographic Collection – Sozopol, House-Museum Aleksandar Mutafov – Sozopol, Chapel Saint Athanasius – Sozopol, Chapel Saint Marina Sozopol, Museum Collection Southern

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Castle Wall and Tower, Late Antique Fortress in Cape Akin in the locality of Akra, Middle Ages Christian Complex – Sozopol, Museum Collection Saint Nicholas town of Chernomorets, Monastery Saint John the Baptist on the island of Saint John, Temple Complex island of St. St. Kirik and Yulita, Monastery Complex Holy Apostles in Cape Skamniy, Chapel Saint Nicholas – Sozopol, Chapel Saint Nicholas Wonder Worker – Sozopol, Chapel Saint Dimitar – Sozopol, Chapel St. St. Constantine and Helena - Sozopol, Chapel Holy Virgin Magriotisa – Sozopol, Chapel Christ Savior – Sozopol, Chapel Saint John the Baptist – Sozopol, Chapel Saint John of – Sozopol, Chapel Sveta Nedelya (Holy Sunday) Sozopol, Chapel Saint Panteleymon – Chernomorets, House of Marieta Stefanova – Sozopol, House of Kreanoolou – Sozopol, House of Todor Zagorov – Sozopol, Chapel Saint George – Sozopol, House of Kurtidi – a Thracian Khan – Sozopol, House of Dimitar Laskaridis – Sozopol; Municipality of Sredets – National Archeological site Antique and Medieval Town of Deultum - village of Debelt, Ethnographic complex Karabunar’s House – town of Sredets, Megalith Culture Strandzha Thracian sanctuary the Big Stone (natural landmark of 1973) – between the village of Dolno Yabalkovo and the village of Belevren, Dolmen in the locality of Lozyata (the Vineyards) – next to the village of Belevren, Dolmen in the locality Kiryakstoyanov’s winter sheep-fold – the village of Belevren, Dolmen in the locality of Kashli (winter sheep-folds) – the village of Belevren, Dolmen in the locality of Korubata, the village of Kirovo, a pair of dolmens in the locality of Kapatsite the village of Granichar, a museum site Bail’s House – the town of Sredets; Municipality of Tsarevo – Orthodox temple Saint Marina the village of Izgrev, fortress wall of Ahtopol, Greek school the town of Ahtopol, a monument the locality of Dalgata Polyana (the Long Meadow) - Tsarevo, field of Caspian pond turtle – locality of Nakovo Kladenche next to Ahtopol, Private ethnographic collection – the village of Balgari, Orthodox Temple Holy Ascension – Ahtopol, Museum History of the Anchor – Ahtopol, Museum of History – Tsarevo, Church Holy Assumption – district of Vasiliko, Tsarevo, the Statue Sea Lighthouse in the port of Michurin, Open Museum Ship Goryanin – Tsarevo, Church Saint Tsar Boris Michael – Tsarevo, Park Fountain – district of Vasiliko, Tsarevo, Monument Preobrazhentsi, town of Tsarevo, Church Saint Pantaleymon the village of Brodilovo, Thracian tomb locality of Holy Virgin, the village of Brodilovo, archeological excavations House of a Thracian Ruler locality of Pevtich, the village of Brodilovo, Chapel Saint Pantaleymon, the village of Brodilovo, Chapel Holy Virgin – at 3 km to the south of the village of Brodilovo, Chapel Saint Petka – the village of Brodilovo, Chapel St. St. Constantine and Helena – the village of Brodilovo, Chapel Saint Yani – at about 1,5 km from the village of Brodilovo in the northern direction, Serafimovs – the village of Velika, Museum of Fire Dancing – the village of Balgari, reserve Silkosiya – between the villages of Balgari and Kosti, protected locality and eco-pathway Marina Reka – between the villages of Izgrev and Balgari, Big Mound Tumbata – in the locality of Shumyaka, to the south of the village of Balgari, Church St. St. Constantine and Helena – the village of Balgari, Chapel Saint Helena – the village of Balgari, Chapel Saint Iliya – at 1,5 km to the east of the village of Balgari, Chapel Holy Virgin – at 3 km to the north of the village of Balgari, Old Fortress Wall and ruins from basilica Gradishteto – at 4 km to the north of the village of Balgari, waterfall Skokat (the Jump) – at 5 km from the village of Velika, Orthodox Temple Saint Prophet Iliya – the village of Velika, Church St. St. Cyril and Methodius, the village of Kosti, Biosphere Reserve Uzunbodzhak – next to the village of Kosti, Strandzha Oak – locality of Saint Iliya the village of Kosti, cave Maharata – next to the village of Kosti, field of the plant heather – at 4 km to the northeast of the village of Kosti, protected locality Kalkata – the village of Kosti, southeastern direction, beside the Veleka River (preservation of the nest of a couple of owls),

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Chapel Saint Petka –at 1 km to the north of the village of Kosti, Chapel Saint Kostadin – at about 1,5 km to the west of the village of Kosti, Chapel Saint Dimitar – at about 1 km to the west of the village of Kosti, Chapel Saint Iliya – at about 2 km to the west of the village of Kosti, Chapel Holy Virgin – at 3 km to the southeastern direction from the village of Kosti, the oldest beech tree in Strandzha 800 years old – the village of Kosti, above the locality of Holy Virgin, reserve Tisovitsa – next to the village of , ruins of fortress Marzovsko Kale – the village of Kondolovo, Chapel Saint Pantaleymon – at 1 km to the north of the village of Kondolovo, Chapel Saint Constantine – the village of Kondolovo, rock formation the Sphinx – the village of Sinemorets, the mouth of the Veleka River, the biggest chapel in Strandzha Sveta Petka – the village of Kondolovo, Orthodox Temple Saint George the village of Kondolovo, Orthodox Temple Saint John the Baptist, the village of Sinemorets, protected locality mouth of the Veleka River – the village of Sinemorets, seaside humid zone Silistar – next to the village of Sinemorets, archeological excavations Hellenistic grave - the village of Sinemorets, treasure of late Hellenistic coins – the village of Sinemorets, archeological excavations Thracian mound necropolis – locality of Selski Dol, the village of Rezovo, remains of fortress Kastritsion in Cape Kastrich – the village of Rezovo, bay Kastrich, Orthodox Temple Saint John the Baptist – the village of Rezovo, remarkable geological sites Popova Skala (Popov’s Rock) – the village of Fazanovo, Orthodox Temple Saint Marina – the village of Fazanovo, sea beach Koral (Coral) – the village of Lozenets, architectural landmark the Cross of the fishermen’s port in the village of Lozenets, Orthodox Temple Saint George, the village of Lozenets, Orthodox Temple Saint Varvara, the village of Varvara. 7.3.5. Hunting farms under the Hunting and Game Protection Act

Hunting farm Strandzha is located in Strandzha Mountain on the territory of State Forestry Zvezdets, at 40 km from Burgas. The altitude above sea level of 400 m /at the average/ provides possibility for unique biotope, calm hunting and diversified game – , roe, deer, wolf and so on. Centuries-old forests combined with a multitude of game fields, convenient hunting hides offer successful hunting of wild boar /race, hunting hide/, buck /hunting hide, in course/, deer /by selection/ and a predator – a wolf, a fox, a jackal; Hunting lodge Kovach (Blacksmith) is located in Strandzha Mountain, at 60 km from Burgas. It provides possibility for hunting wild boar, roe, deer, wolf and so on. It has three hunting fields: hunting field Smradlokov Hill with territory 1566,3 hectares, hunting field “Orchard” with territory 1851 hectares, hunting field Kalenoto Kladenche 1378 hectares. Hunting lodge Kovach is located on the bank of the Veleka River which is the biggest and the longest Strandzha river (147 km). It springs from the Peak of Demirkalu in Turkey and enters Bulgaria with beautiful gorges. It is intensely foliaged in its upper stream, with rock bottom, a lot of river rapids and thresholds. It crosses the karst here. Its banks are precipitous, with rocks and abysses. This part of the river is accessible for tourists from the localities of Kovach and Petrova Niva and the village of Stoilovo. After the village of Zvezdets it changes its look – it calms down, the river valley expands, its gradient sharply falls down, beautiful meanders appear. Here it accepts its bigger tributaries Mladezhka Reka and Mechi Dol. 32 species of fish were established in the Veleka River – Balkan trout, Rutilus frisii, grey mullet, minnow, gudgeon, Crimean barbel, Chalcalburnus chalcoides, Alburnoides bipunctatus, Rhodeus sericeus, river eel, Mesogobius gymnotrachelus and so on. Amateur fishing is developed with hunting lodge Kovach.

State Hunting Farm Nessebar is located in the most eastern slopes of the Balkan Mountain (Emine Balkan Mountain). It comprises the territory of the municipalities of Pomorie, Nessebar and a part of Ruen municipality. It is situated at about 400 km from Sofia, 40 km Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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from Burgas and 80 km from Varna, where the nearest airports are. The altitude above the sea level is from the sea level up to about 450 m, and the relief is composed of steep, intersected gullies and leveled ridges. Regardless of the relatively low altitude above the sea level, the terrain is difficult, nearly completely mountainous. The hunting area of the farm is 24 391 hectares. The main kinds of game are red deer /Cervus elaphus/, fallow deer /Cervus dama/, roe /Capreolus capreolus/, moufflon /Ovis musimon/, wild boar /Sus scrofa/, snipe /Scolopax rusticola/, quail /Coturnix coturnix/. Several bases for intensive management of the game were built up on the territory of State Hunting Farm NESSEBAR– facilities for increase and enrichment of the game diversity, where the attainment of bigger density is of priority aimed at populating the surrounding areas with game as well as high effectiveness in group hunting of wild boar without affecting the remaining kinds of game. Taking the Bulgarian legislation into consideration and the particularities of the region, State Hunting Farm NESSEBAR offers all year round various possibilities for practicing the hunting sports. Predators may be hunted all year round, as trophies moufflon and boar as well as selectively wild boar.

Hunting farm Byala Reka (White River), forestry Zvezdets is located in Strandzha Mountain, at 40 km from Burgas along the new international road for the Republic of Turkey. It is situated at the altitude above the sea level of 400 m between the locality of Bosna, the village of Mladezhko (150 m altitude above the seal level) and the road for the village of Bliznak and provides possibility for a unique biotope (space with relatively uniform living conditions), for calm hunting and diversified game – wild boar, roe, deer, wolf and so on. The main kinds of hunting are offered in hunting farm Byala Voda, practices on the territory of Bulgaria, which were approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Hunting is perfectly organized and prescribed and all the requirements for safety are observed. Hunting farm Byala Reka is fully located in the biggest protected territory in Bulgaria – Natural Park STRANDZHA, which offers you the unique chance to see the biggest preserved deciduous forest complex of Europe. The typical for the end of the Tertiary (about 2 million years ago) forests of the moderate climate with evergreen laurel-shaped undergrowth were preserved solely here on the continent. The forests cover 80% of the area of the Park. The centuries-old forests are 30% of the forests in the protected territory – 3 times more than the average for the country! Trees of eastern durmast, oak-tree, eastern beech and Strandzha oak with diameter from 1.5 to 2.0 meters and age of over 500 years are frequently encountered in the natural massifs of old forests – the most valuable habitats of conservation significance. If the hunting weekend, photo-safari or tourist walks with a guide brings you to hunting farm Byala Reka, here you will be able to get acquainted with the biggest species diversity of amphibians and reptiles, of birds, mammals and higher plants in the country and Europe, encounter ruins of Thracian tombs, enjoy the blossomed rare plants during the month of May, walk into the crystal clean rivers – Byala Reka, Mladezhka, Veleka, enjoy archaic folklore customs and traditions, which survived from antiquity and were preserved with love in Strandzha settlements (the unique village of Brashlyan), enjoy the Veleka River in the locality of Kovach. Hunting shelter Byala Reka is situated not far from Bosna where you may have a rest and enjoy the beautiful Strandzha countryside, surrounded by the delightful bird concert. The farm is picturesquely surrounded by the canyons of the Rivers Mladezhka, Bliznashka and Byala Reka. The springs Byala Voda, the natural landmark – the locality Elenina Dupka (Deer Hole) and the perennial crystal clear fountain Sini Vir (Blue Pool) are here as well. We will offer Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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you to experience here unforgettable hunting moments in our hunting area, meetings with big trophy animals (boar, red deer (Cervus elaphus), deer), as well as all the kinds of predators and small game. Some of them are encountered exceptionally solely in our hunting farm as an excellent food base is provided for them – professionally cultivated fields, meadows and lawns, water (rivers and sources, which are located and spring on our territory), as well as the provided for them tranquility for reproduction and life. The green areas around the rivers Byala Reka and Mladezhka provide possibility for hunting of snipes, the fields – for hunting of hares, deer, roe …The secured tranquility for life of the game, the rich nutrient base all year round is a sure sign that you will encounter trophies with us worth a gold medal. During hunting in course, watch out – the numerous fruit trees on the entire territory provide possibility for unexpected meetings with all of them. The ambush in the covered hunting hides provides possibility to shoot the best trophies and the time spent it them will leave you with an unforgettable memory for the fauna and flora of this memorable corner of Bulgaria – Strandzha Mountain. Meeting the sunrise or the sunset in Strandzha Mountain during hunting in course, watch out, uncovered or covered hunting hide, leave a lasting imprint in the consciousness of each hunter – a memory which will relate him to us all his life and will return him to us each new hunting season.

State Hunting Farm Ropotamo is located at 45 km to the south of Burgas. The territory of the hunting farm gets within the northeastern area of Strandzha Mountain. It occupies an area of 16610 hectares. It is characterized by a low hilly relief – Peak Lobodovo Kale is with 315 m altitude above the sea level and is the highest point. The proximity of the Black Sea determines the mild and humid climate. The winter is comparatively warm, the average temperatures seldom fall below zero. These conditions provide continuous vegetation time period for the flora and are a favorable prerequisite for the good development of the game. The population of the red deer (Cervus elaphus) is local from most ancient times. The big weight of the body is characteristic for Strandzha deer – up to 350 kg for male deer, the solid horns, covered with numerous pearls as well as their dark color. The weight of the trophies get to 14 kg. A record for the farm is a trophy evaluated for 250 points according to CIC. The fallow deer was acclimatized in the region in 1951. Today its population develops perfectly well. Wild boar inhabits all over the area of the farm. The weight of the boar gets to 250 – 300 kg, and the length of the trophies 28 – 30 cm. The record trophy was evaluated at 150 points according to CIC with length of the boar teeth 29 cm. The moufflon was perfectly acclimatized and develops thanks to the good climatic conditions. The best trophy of this kind was evaluated to 212 points according to CIC with length 93 cm. The wolf, the jackal which is particularly disseminated, the fox, the wild cat, the brock, the marten, the squirrel, the polecat and the weasel are encountered from the predators. The eastern Black Sea migration route of the birds Via Pontica passes over the territory of State Hunting Farm Ropotamo. This explains the presence of passages of various wild ducks and geese and in particular of the woodcock – a favorite target for hunting of a lot of foreign tourists visiting the region during the autumn and the winter months.

State Forestry Sredets is located on the northwestern ramifications of Strandzha Mountain with a total area of 43 667 hectares. The area of the farm constitutes a good base for the development of an intensive hunting farm with significant game reserved and species diversity – red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe, wild boar, hare, partridge, pheasant and so on. The wolf, jackal, fox, wild cat, marten, polecat, brock, weasel are with all over dissemination and with significant number of the predators. The species diversity of the birds in the municipality is rich, in particular during the seasonal migrations – about 380 species of birds are

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encountered. The Fakiyska River, the Sredetska River, the Gospodarevska River, the dam lakes and the micro dam lakes located on the territory of the farm offer good conditions for the conduct of amateur fishing.

7.3.6. Wineries

Vinprom – Chernomorsko Zlato (Black Sea Gold) in Pomorie as well as the enterprise of SIS Industries in Karnobat are amongst the good examples for the development of the subsector. Over 20% of the wine industry in Bulgaria is manufactured in Pomorie, Sungurlare and Karnobat. Chernomorsko Zlato (Black Sea Gold) AD is the biggest manufacturer of wine brandy in Bulgaria. Its production is present on the markets of Russia, , , , England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, the USA, Ukraine and so on. Another representative of the subsector in Burgas is company Boyar LTD. The Company SIS Industries beside Karnobat manufactures and bottles over 40 kinds of highly alcoholic drinks. The pure grain alcohol produced by refinery VINS is in the grounds of the overall production. Refinery VINS is the sole refinery for grain alcohol and distillates on the territory of the Balkan Peninsula. The capacity of the refinery allows for the satisfaction of the needs of the domestic market. There are two wineries in the municipality of Sredets – one in the town of Sredets and one in the village of Rosenovo - winery Strandzha - Chateau - Rosenovo AD. The latter manufactures production for export and exports nearly 50% of its production to Russia and the former CIS (Commonwealth of Independent State) countries. The wine industry is also leading for the municipality of Sungurlare, where Company Vinex – AD functions, which has productions in the village of Slavyantsi and the town of Sungurlare as well as in the town of Karbonat – a branch of Vinex – Slavyantsi – Agroshanskommers EOOD (LTD). The Company processes annually 30 000 t of grapes.

8. TOURIST SUPPLY – KINDS OF TOURISM IN THE REGION OF BURGAS Study of developed tourist products and destinations related to recreation (sea) tourism; spa- tourism; eco tourism; ; wine tourism; hunting tourism; extreme tourism and other kinds of tourism related to free time – golf, sports and wellness. The analysis of the tourist resources indicated that Burgas has potential possibilities for the development of the following kinds of tourism: 8.1. SEA RECREATIVE TOURISM The Black seaside of the region of Burgas is a wonderful place for sea holiday. Cape Emine is the place where the Balkan Mountain ends at the sea coast and this place conditionally divides the Black Seaside to Northern and Southern. A great part of them is spacious, others are small and nestled in picturesque sea bays. The beaches and the sea offer conditions for practicing various kinds of water sports (surfing, water skis, diving, underwater archeology) and fishing (inclusive of underwater). The beaches in Dyuni, Elenite, Pomorie (eastern beach), Harmanite (Sozopol), Sveti Vlas (central beach and Venid beach), Sunny Beach (northern and southern beach) are with a blue flag. The salinity of the Black Sea is low (in the seaside waters – 16- 17‰), and the high tides and low tides are insignificant. In the summer the average temperature of the water is 22-24°С, and in the shallow parts up to 26°С, which makes it particularly pleasant for bathing.

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In the last few years a part of our elite sea complexes and resort towns acquired yacht ports. There are possibilities for yacht tourism along the southern Black seaside in Burgas, the resorts of Sveti Vlas, Nessebar, Sozopol, Dyuni. Further to a combination of sun, sand and sea, the Black Seaside resorts offer pedestrian, bicycle and horse riding tourism, eco tourism, photo safari, visits to natural, cultural and archeological landmarks. Some of the Bulgarian rivers flow into the Black Sea. Their mouths are surrounded by dense and cool moisture-loving forests. A part of the rivers are navigable (Ropotamo, Veleka) for small motor boats and offer the tourists unforgettable trips downstream. The unique dense forests of the Rivers Ropotamo and Veleka are appropriate for the fans of nature. At the Southern Black Seaside you may get in touch with the coolness of Strandzha and the centuries-old traditions in the villages nestled in the mountains. Tourists may also enjoy the marvelous Black Sea lakes: Alepu, Arkutino, Atanasov’s Lake, Burgas Lake, Pomorie Lake and seaside lakes (lagoons and firths) where a multitude of rare plants and animals are encountered, deposits of healing (firth) mud were also found, on the grounds of which mud treatment is conducted – Pomorie Lake and Atanasov’s Lake. There are also mineral springs along the seaside and the combination of these natural facts is the reason for the successful combination of SPA, balneological and with sea holiday. The tourists have possibility for a visit to the Black Sea islands as well – Saint Anastasia, Saint John (where the relics of St. John the Baptist were found), St. Peter, St. Kirik and Yulita, St. Toma. The resorts located at the Black seaside are appropriate both for a family holiday and for an individual holiday and entertainments - Obzor, Elenite and Dyuni are preferred most of all by families with children. Young tourists prefer Sunny Beach, Primorsko, Kiten, Lozenets because of the great number of clubs, bars and possibilities for entertainments. Sunny Beach is the biggest resort complex in the country and is frequently the host of parties of world famous DJs and performers. Sozopol and Nessebar (included in the list of UNESCO) are famous for the combination of beautiful seaside countryside and historical landmarks. These two towns with a millenary history attract the romantically minded holiday-makers. The resorts Sveti Vlas, Ravda, , Pomorie, Chernomorets, Tsarevo, Ahtopol and Sinemorets also offer excellent conditions for holiday. The Bulgarian Black Seaside resorts offer various possibilities for accommodation – from luxurious 4-5-star hotels to small romantic family hotels, which satisfy the world standards. A part of the hotels in the Black seaside resorts work all year round and offer possibilities for congress tourism, conduct of various events and incentive measures. The visitors of the Bulgarian Black seaside have possibility also to enjoy the numerous cultural events, including Apolonia, Spirit of Burgas, Burgas International Folklore Festival, the Festival of the Church Songs – Pomorie, Fire Dancers’ Games and so on. 8.2. CULTURAL TOURISM As an area with a millenary history and heritage, left by ancient civilizations, the region of Burgas has what to offer to its guests, who have interests in the sphere of history, culture, ethnography, religion, architecture and arts. Unique archeological finds are disseminated along the territory of the entire region – ancient settlement mounds from the epoch of neolite, Thracian sanctuaries and tombs, ruins from Roman cities and towns, Byzantine and Medieval fortresses, architectural reserves, ethnographic complexes, churches and monasteries and a lot of others.

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The monuments included in the List of UNESCO – Ancient City town of Nessebar, the ethnographic complex Brashlyan – Malko Tarnovo may be indicated as emblematic for the region of Burgas. The region of Burgas also has an exceptionally rich folklore calendar. It includes a lot of traditions and customs, through which tourists may get in touch with the Bulgarian lifestyle and culture - Surva (St. Vasil’s Day), St. Jordan’s Day – Epiphany, St. John’s Days, St. Anthony’s Day, Trifon Zarezan, Baba Marta (Martenitsas), the First Sunday before Lent, the Mummers’ Day, St. Todor’s Day, Annunciation, Easter, St. George’s Day, Big Virgin Mary’s Day, St. Dimitar’s Day, Great All Souls’ Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas. Ancient traditions and customs are preserved in a lot of Bulgarian villages which are practiced even nowadays. Such are St. Lazarus’ Day, Palm Sunday, mummers, Christmas carol singers, fire dancers and a lot of others. The folklore festivals and fairs are also exceptionally attractive – International Folklore Festival (Burgas), and lots of others. Several museums function in the region of Burgas – the Museum of Salt in the town of Pomorie is the only one of its kind in Eastern Europe. The calendar in the region of Burgas overflows with cultural events – festivals, competitions. The cultural tourism includes the following kinds: Cultural-historical, with interest in history and the related to it monuments, sites and places in the destination visited. It includes visits of architectural, artistic, archeological, historical and religious monuments, architectural-ethnographic reserves and complexes, museums and galleries. The cultural historical heritage of the Municipality of Burgas is presented in the Regional Burgas Museum in four expositions: archeological, historical, ethnographic and natural scientific. Medieval and Renaissance sea monastery on island Saint Anastasia. It is full of events and festivals, with interest in traditional or modern recoveries of cultural events (holidays, festivals, celebrations and others) as well as participation in them. Most frequently these events and festivals are subordinated to certain kinds of arts. They may also include traditional productions, visits of fairs, bazaars, as well as various sports holidays. Burgas is famous in Bulgaria as the Town of Festivals – the festival of the Bulgarian popular song Burgas and the Sea, Spirit of Burgas, the festival of the sand figures, International Folklore Festival, Beer Fest, Festival of the Bulgarian Rock Music Rock-Explosion, Blues- Festival, Theater Festival On the Coast, Autumn Literary Holidays, the international exhibition bazaar Flora - Burgas. It is religious, with interest in the religion(s) of the visited country, with a visit to holy, cult and places. It also includes acquaintance with the religious canons, rituals, rites and traditions (processions, parades and so on); going sightseeing around religious buildings and monuments with historical, architectural, artistic and cultural value. Sites of the religious heritage - “... such which visit the same sites predominantly because of their cultural and historical interests and not so much because of their religious significance.” – monasteries – Pomorie, Golyamo Bukovo, Lyulyakovo and so on; churches, chapels, mosques; the relics of John the Baptist; Religious holidays – Easter, Christmas (25 December), St. Nicholas’ Day (06 December), St. George’s Day (06 May) and so on. The Orthodox Temples in Bulgaria are more spiritual and cultural centers than religious ritual buildings. The Cathedral Temple St. St. Cyril and Methodius is such a center in Burgas, and simultaneously with that it is the specimen of the Orthodox Art. The remaining churches are smaller, but in their interior layout they are interesting specimens of the church art which in this end of the country has a clearly expressed Greek influence. One may freely enter the temples. There are also functioning Catholic and Protestant Temples in Burgas.

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Monastery St. George – Pomorie - Monastery St. George is a functioning male Orthodox Monastery. A new temple was built up in 1856, and the old one remained under its roof up to date. A 17-meter tower – a belfry /19648 was also built up along with the new buildings. A lot of very valuable specimens of the iconographic art of the 18th and the 19th centuries are preserved in the Monastery today. The temple icon was painted by Temistocles Diamandopoulos Iconographer from Anhialo. The following historical monuments are located in Sozopol: Architectural and archeological reserve Ancient Sozopol – by Decree of the Council of Ministers No 320 of 7 September 1974 the Old Town of Sozopol was announced as a museum. About 180 residential buildings from the middle of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries form the look of the reserve. The houses in the old town were built up of stone and wood and belong to the so called Black Sea architectural type of houses. Amongst the more famous of them are: the house of Marieta Stefanova, the house of Kreanoolou, the house of Todor Zagorov, the house of Kurtidi, the house of Dimitri Laskaridis and others. Thracian fortresses in the area of Bakarlaka – a lonely mountain ridge, encircling like an arc the fields and the low hills around Sozopol. As early as in the 13th – 12th centuries before Christ the Thracians built up (of crushed stone without mortar) a line of defense, consisting of fortresses along nearly all the high peaks of the ridge. The fortresses on Peak Atiya, Peak Bakarlaka (about 4 decares of area in the highest place, 376 m), Lobodovo Kale (about 1,5 decares) and Malkoto Kale (about 4 decares, the only one where regular archeological excavations were made – 1973-1977 within the framework of the Program Strandzha–Sakar are the most interesting ones. Thracian tumuli – A multitude of tumuli are located on the heights of Meden Rid and the hills around the seaside – traces of the funeral rites of the Thracians. In the past their number added up to about 1500. Fewer are preserved today and some of them were archeologically investigated. Ancient necropolises – The interest in the ancient landmarks of Sozopol dates back as early as from the middle of the 19th century. The researchers directed their efforts predominantly at studying the necropolises and the materials found in them. Nowadays the more famous necropolises of antique Apolonia are those in the Sea Garden and the localities Harmanite, Budzhaka (partial rescue archeological excavations) and Kalfata (archeological excavations by a Bulgarian-French team are annually made here). Fortress walls the 6th – the 14th centuries – Medieval Sozopol was encircled by a fortress all and towers built up during the time of Emperor Anastasios, about year 511. They were also used during the next centuries and they were rebuilt and completed in a lot of places. Nowadays significant fragments reaching height project to 3-4 meters are preserved from the defense facilities. Nessebar is included in the List of UNESCO for world heritage of 1983. The cultural heritage of Nessebar is preserved in five museum expositions. There were about 42 churches in the old part of the town of which less than half were found by the archeologists and conserved and only one is functioning at the moment. The other more preserved ones were turned into art galleries. The isthmus connecting the old part to the new one is about 400 meters long. The old mill of the town which does not function as such but is only a tourist attraction is located in the middle of the isthmus. The real mill of the town is situated at the beginning of the district, in the new part of the town, which unfortunately is now built-up into a hotel. Museums – Landmark No 7 of the Hundred National Tourist Sites of the Bulgarian Tourist Union is located in Nessebar – Architectural-Historical Reserve with an archeological museum – Museum Ancient Nessebar.

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Churches: Saint Sophia (the Old ), ruins of a church of the 4th century; Holy Virgin Eleusa, a church of the 6th century; Saint Stephen (the New Diocese), a church of the 10th century; Saint John the Baptist, a church of the 11th century; Saint Dimitar, a church of the 11th century; Saint Archangels Michael and Gavrail, a church of the 13th century; Saint Paraskeva, a church of the 13th century; Christ Pantocrator, a church of the 13th century; Saint Theodore, a church of the 13th century; Saint John Aliturget, a church of the 14th century; Holy Ascension (Saint Spas), a church of the 17th century; Saint Kliment, a church of the 17th century; Holy Virgin (the Assumption) – a church functioning from 1873; Archeological, with interest in the archeology of the country, visits of archeological sites, places of excavations, participation in archeological expeditions and so on – the ancient town Akve Kalide – Termopolis, Deultum, Markeli, Rusocastron. Ethnographic, with interest in the ethnicity of the people(s), the sites, the objects and the phenomena of the ethnic culture, the lifestyle, traditional clothing, language, folklore, traditions, customs, ethnic creative work and so on. The art galleries in Burgas add up to over ten in number. The Town Art Gallery is the indisputable leader. Its exposition is arranged in a former Jewish synagogue, built up at the beginning of the 20th century in conformity with a design of Italian architects. Nowadays it is announced as a monument of culture. The gallery has works of art of all the Bulgarian classics, of modern Burgas artists and the richest collection of icons from the region of Strandzha. 8.3. ECO TOURISM Exceptionally rich bio-diversity, natural park Strandzha, unique natural landmarks, caves, lakes, unique river mouths – it is difficult to describe in a few words how diverse and marvelous the countryside of the region of Burgas is. Here every fan of beautiful views and the closeness to nature may discover his paradise. Excellent conditions are created in the region for any ecologically friendly activities – walks, mountain hikes, observation of birds, animals and plants, visits to natural landmarks and lots of others. The thought about the conservation and the preservation of nature, however, is always the main and leading one. Dense forests are developed in the lower rivers of Ropotamo and Veleka. There are 2 natural conservation centers and several shelters for bird watching built up in Burgas humid zones and Pomorie Lake. The reserve Uzunbodzhak is announced as biosphere in conformity with the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program. Two of the reserves were announced as significant wetlands under the Convention on Wetlands of international significance (Ramsar Convention) – Arkutino and Atanasov’s Lake. 4 sites were designated by Birdlife International as important habitats of birds in Europe – natural landmark swamp Alepu, reserve Atanasov’s Lake, Burgas Lake, Cape Emine, Mandren’s Lake. Hundreds of kilometers of marked eco pathways were created for access to a lot of the hidden treasures of the Bulgarian nature – in Natural Park Strandzha, in Eastern Balkan Mountain. The international tourist route – the final section (Kom – Emine) of the European tourist route E-3 passes through the territory of the region of Burgas. Natural Park Strandzha is the biggest protected territory in Bulgaria and offers you the unique chance to see the biggest preserved deciduous forest complex of Europe. The typical of the end of the Tertiary forests (1 million years ago) were preserved on the continent solely here. The forests cover over 80% of the area of the Park. Their average age is by 30 years higher than the average for the country, and the old forests at the age of over 100 years old are 30% of the forests in the protected territory – three times more than the average for the country! Trees of eastern durmast, oak, eastern beech and Strandzha oak with diameters from 1.5 to 2.0 m and age of over 500 years old are frequently encountered in the natural massifs of old forests – the most valuable conservationally significant habitats. In the natural park you may

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get acquainted with the biggest diversity of amphibian reptiles in Europe, find remains of Thracian tombs, enjoy blossomed periwinkle in May, walk into crystal clean rivers, enjoy archaic folklore customs and traditions which survived from the pagan ancient times and were preserved with love by people everywhere around the mountain. All this amazing natural and cultural historical wealth is located in Natural Park Strandzha, a part of the still virgin mountain. 8.4. VILLAGE TOURISM Village tourism is the best way to get acquainted with the traditions in Bulgaria. Through the stay in a village house tourists may get in touch with the traditional lifestyle and culture of the country. The hospitality of the Bulgarian people, the unique local cuisine, the preserved folklore, customs and crafts, the settlements architectural reserves and the beautiful countryside turn this kind of tourism into a preferred way for spending the holiday. Usually the guests are welcomed in an authentic house built up in the 19th or the 20th century and a part of the experience is the food which the hosts prepare of ecologically pure products – tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, picked up at dawn from the garden or aromatic spices collected from the nearby situated forests and fields. There are a lot of interesting activities implemented in villages – you may help the hostess to prepare a special dish according to an old recipe, get involved in the agricultural work, hire a horse and ride around the surrounding landmarks, pick up a bouquet of aromatic herbs and a basket with wild strawberries or mushrooms, go round the village roads on a mountain bicycle and a lot of others. Tourists have possibility to participate in manual milking and cutting grass, fermenting milk, production of home-made cheese and kashkaval (yellow cheese), making jams and so on. Home-made and wine are prepared in nearly each village house. There are also a lot of wine manufacturers famous throughout Europe and the world on the territory of the country. The villages in Strandzha Mountain - Balgari, Gramatikovo, Kosti, Brashlyan and others are also exceptionally attractive. Walks to ancient mills, fulling mills, donkey riding and trips in donkey carts are offered. Here the tourists may observe the authentic fire dances on glowing embers. The visitors of the big Black Seaside resorts have possibility to visit the located in the proximity villages and feel the hospitality of the Black seaside villages. The village of Brashlyan, the village of Kosti, the village of Brodilovo, the village of Kozichino and the village of Medovo are the most popular in the region of Burgas.

8.5. BALNEOLOGICAL, SPA and WELLNESS TOURISM It is clear that a lot of people are more and more worried about their physical, social and mental well-being in their daily life but they are also ready the travel long distances to experience various forms of wellness tourism. They vary from immersing the body in the healing waters of the mineral baths in search of spiritual enlightenment or even cosmetic procedures through surgical interference or beautifying therapy. Main centers for this kind of tourism in the region of Burgas are the mud baths in Pomorie and Burgas mineral baths. Burgas mineral baths – The main healing factor of the resort is the mineral water – it is characterized as hot (41°С), slightly mineralized (0,604 g/l), chloride-hydrocarbonate-sodium, with a high alkaline reaction (рН 9,95), silicon (94 mg colloidal metasilicic acid in l.). Clear, colorless, without any odor and with very good potable taste qualities, which the very small water hardness contributes to (the so called “soft” water). Indications for treatment – treatment of inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the skeletal and muscular system, states after fractures of the bones, diseases of the peripheral and the central nervous system, as well as for general prophylactics and strengthening of the body in healthy visitors to the hotel

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– for improving the health against cold-infectious diseases and for the increase of the physical and mental stamina. Balneological resort Pomorie – The mineral water belongs to one of the particularly rarely encountered kinds because with its comparatively low mineralization it contains a significant quantity of magnesium, which is especially valuable for a number of important physiological functions of the body. The temperature of the water from the borehole source is 20°С. The healing firth mud is derived from the lagoon lake and has particularly valuable physico- chemical qualities. It is black, plastic, with fine structure, rich in hydrogen sulfide and humic acids, medium mineralized, with silicate-carbonate skeleton as well as with a slightly alkaline reaction. The resort is the target of medical researches of many years and its profile includes in the first place the diseases which are especially well influenced by the mud treatment: diseases of the skeletal and muscular system – chronic degenerative and inflammatory joint diseases: osteoarthritis with various localization, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis; myalgias, myositis, lumbago; osteitis and periostitis, states after bone fractures; peristhritis, bursitis, tendinitis; states after traumas of the joints and of the soft tissues; gynecological diseases, as well as infertility; disease of male genitals, residual phenomena after operational interventions and light degrees of sterility. Good healing results are also obtained in some diseases of the peripheral nervous system – chronic neuralgias, neuritis, plexitis, radiculoneuritis, discopathies, neurovegetopathy, neurofibromyositis, posttraumatic conditions of the peripheral nerves, and also in some skin diseases – chronic eczemas, psoriasis, neurodermatitis. On the other hand the sea-climatic factors are widely used for the treatment of some diseases of the respiratory organs – chronic bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, slight forms of bronchial asthma, functional disorders of the nervous system as well as hypertension; other indications – obesity, gout, states of recovery after serious diseases and operational interventions, secondary anemia. The resort functions all year round. Spa tourism – Tourism which places focus onto relaxation and treatment of the body through treatment with water, such as pools, steam rooms and saunas. Emphasis is placed rather onto relaxation, treatment and embellishment than onto the spiritual aspects of some exercises as yoga. The surrounding environment is usually luxurious and with scenes which match it. A lot of hotels in the seaside resorts made use of the spa market and the most famous spa centers in the region of Burgas are: balneological hotel Pomorie in Pomorie, Grand Hotel Primorets in Burgas. 8.6. HUNTING TOURISM Hunting and fishing are still popular forms of the specialized tourism in spite of the concern of the preservationists and ecologists that they are detrimental for the eco systems. At the moment the region of Burgas is well known for its hunting tourism and occupies the second place in the world with regard to the quality of its hunting trophies (for instance deer, wild boars and lynxes). Over 2500 hunters per year may stay in the hunting chalets and houses. There are hunting reserves which are under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The hunting areas in the region of Burgas are in Strandzha, Eastern Balkan Mountain, Ropotamo. 8.7. Bulgaria is described as a popular destination for the business world, as it offers all the needed facilities for congresses, symposia, conferences, bilateral and international meetings. Hotels for business tourism are offered in Burgas, Pomorie, Sunny Beach. More and more the offering of casinos and spa facilities will probably encourage the business travelers to choose the region of Burgas as a destination for conferences, meetings and other forums.

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8.8. CAMPING TOURISM There are well equipped camping sites in the region of Burgas which attract tourists from the country and abroad in search of alternative holiday in contact with nature. They are located mainly along the southern Black seaside, in the immediate proximity of some of the most beautiful Bulgarian beaches. Such are camping site Arapya – a cult place for the fans of holidays under the stars, Gradina (Garden), Zlatna Ribka (Golden Fish), Yug (South), Delphin (Dolphin), Silistar, Aheloy, Smokinya (Fig), Koral (Coral), Zora (Dawn), Oasis, Kavatsi, Kiten and so on. 8.9. RESORT SETTLEMENTS IN THE REGION OF BURGAS

The following resorts were announced on the territory of the region of Burgas: • 9 climatic seaside resorts of national significance – the town of Ahtopol – Resolution of the Council of Ministers 224 of 1972; the the town of Burgas – Decree of the Council of Ministers 741 of 1953; the village of Kiten - Decree of the Council of Ministers 89 of 1967; the town of Michurin - Resolution of the Council of Ministers 89 of 1967; the town of Nessebar - Resolution of the Council of Ministers 179 of 1954; the village of Obzor - Resolution of the Council of Ministers 89 of 1967; the town of Pomorie - Decree of the Council of Ministers 741 of 195; the town of Primorsko - Resolution of the Council of Ministers 89 of 1967; the town of Sozopol - Resolution of the Council of Ministers 89 of 1967 – for Bulgaria 12; • 7 climatic seaside resorts of local significance – the village of Aheloy - Order 464 of the Ministry of People’s Health and Social Care; locality Kozluka and the village of Vlas - Order 2620 of the Ministry of People’s Health and Social Care; the village of Lozenets - Order 4484 of the Ministry of People’s Health of 1969; the village of Ravda - Order 2620 of the Ministry of People’s Health and Social Care of 1963; the mouth of the Ropotamo River and the locality around the swamp Arkutino - Order 464 of the Ministry of People’s Health and Social Care of 1963; the village of Sinemorets - Order 2620 of the Ministry of People’s Health and Social Care of 1963; the village of Chernomorets - Order 2620 of the Ministry of People’s Health and Social Care of 1967 – for Bulgaria 16; • 2 climatic mountain resorts of local significance – the town of Malko Tarnovo - Order РД-15-778 of the Ministry of People’s Health of 1981 and the locality Fakadere – the village of - Order 3493 of the Ministry of People’s Health of 1973 – for Bulgaria 48; • 1 balneo-curative resort of national significance – Burgas mineral baths (Decree of the Council of Ministers 549 of 1950) (of 19 in Bulgaria);

The most visited resorts in the region are: Vacation settlement ELENITE – seaside resort Elenite is a vacation complex located on the sea coast, along the southern slope of the most eastern part of the Balkan Mountain. The resort is situated in a beautiful bay directly to Cape Emine, at 4,5 km to the east of Sveti Vlas and at 8.5 km of Sunny Beach. The international airport of the the town of Burgas is located only at 40 km from Elenite. The complex was so designed that its exposure should be fully southern. It consists of villas and hotels located amongst the cool vegetation of the Balkan Mountain and offers to its guests tranquility and luxury combined with beautiful countryside and clean air. The resort offers diversified

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possibilities for sports in the open air – surfing, yachting, canoe, beach volleyball, water polo and so on. The accommodation offered in Elenite includes various options, All Inclusive included. There are several restaurants, bars and night establishments in the complex. Animators take care of the good mood of the children with various events and show programs. There is a health care service, a kindergarten, currency exchange offices and an Internet club in the complex. Vacation settlement DYUNI – seaside resort The seaside resort Dyuni is located in the municipality of Sozopol, at 7 km to the south of Sozopol, at 40 km from Burgas and at 10 km to the north of the reserve of Ropotamo. The climate here is moderate continental, the average July temperatures are +23-24°С. It was built up in 1987 and attracts tourists in search of tranquility and recreation, luxury and refinement. Its architecture is a combination of styles which supplement each other. Mediterranean and typically Bulgarian elements predominate. The complex has a big beach strip with length of 4,5 km and width of over 100 m, covered with fine golden sand. It is located along the main road to Tsarevo and swamp Alepu. A quiet bay is formed in the northern part of the beach, which the resort Dyuni is situated in. The sea here is crystal clean and it gradually becomes deep. The beach of Dyuni has won the international prize Blue Flag for several years on end, inclusive of in 2011, for clean environment, security and management of quality. Rich variety of entertainments and attractions is provided for the guests of Dyuni. Windsurfing and other water sports may be practiced on the beach. The resort consists of three complexes, all of which are five-star. The fortress Malkoto Kale (Small Kale) built up by Thracians in the 8th century before Christ located on Peak Kaleto (314 m altitude above the sea level) is situated to the west of Dyuni, at about 6 km. The fortress occupies a total area of 4000 sq. km. It is encircled by a fortress wall. It is assumed that its entrance was between two high 6-meter moraines. The municipal center Sozopol is at 7 km from Dyuni which attracts the tourists with its numerous landmarks – the ancient Renaissance houses, the small narrow streets with cobblestone pavement, archeological remains and so on. The greatest landmark of Sozopol at the moment is the relics of St. John the Baptist which are preserved in the temple St. St. Cyril and Methodius in the town. The beaches Alepu and Arkutino are also nearby, which are attractive with their beauty and virgin nature.

Town of NESSEBAR – a seaside resort, cultural tourism, Today the old and the new parts of the town are divided by a narrow isthmus. The old town is located on a small peninsula. Because of its exceptional cultural and historical wealth Nessebar was announced as a museum, tourist and resort complex of international significance by Decree No 243 of the Council of Ministers of 18.07.1956. In 1983 UNESCO entered Old Nessebar into the List of Monuments of the World Cultural Heritage. Tourists may learn more about the history and the development of the settlement in the Archeological Museum, which is located at the beginning of the peninsula. Finds discovered during archeological excavations are exhibited there. There are traces of past historical epochs everywhere. A part of the fortress wall is seen on the territory of the Old Town, which was announced as an architectural-construction monument of culture of national significance in issue 41 of the State Gazette of 1964. There is a great number of preserved churches and two of them – Saint Spas and Saint Stephen were turned into museum sites.

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A great part of the houses in the old part is from the epoch of the Renaissance (18th – 19th centuries). The architecture of the house of Moskoyani, which the exposition of the Ethnographic museum of the town is located in, is of interest. You may learn a lot about the lifestyle and the culture of the inhabitants of Nessebar in the museum, a lot of objects from their everyday life and traditional national consumes are exhibited there. Concerts and various in kinds events are performed and conducted in the antique theater of the Old Nessebar in summer. The marine station of Nessebar is behind it where cruising ships moored for a visit to the town of UNESCO may frequently be seen during the active summer season. If you want to feel the spirit of the Old Nessebar, you may stay namely there – diversified in kind and price accommodation is offered here – family hotels, private lodgings. There is a multitude of restaurants within the area offering superb seafood. Except that it connects the old and the new towns, the isthmus is also a favorite place for walks of the guests and the inhabitants of Nessebar. There are pedestrian lanes from its two sides, in the proximity of the sea. The wind mill which is located in the middle of the isthmus is one of the symbols of the town as well. The new part of Nessebar also offers diversified possibilities for accommodation. The buildings of the administration and other institutions are located there as well. The northern and the southern beaches of Nessebar are located from the side of the new part of the town. There is a beach also in the Old Nessebar but it is not big. People in search of more adrenaline and entertainments may make a tour over Nessebar by a helicopter, boat trips are also offered on the beaches as well as diversified water sports. The establishments in the town are exceptionally diversified as a category and prices. Romantic minded people prefer the restaurants in the Old Town and young people prefer entertainments in the new part of the town and in the near resort of Sunny Beach. In summer there is convenient urban transport between the two resorts and other destinations within the region. The resorts Sveti Vlas, Elenite and Ravda are also located in the proximity. The town of Nessebar celebrates its holiday on 15 August. The day of the town is accompanied by a multitude of events – exhibitions, concerts on several stages, a religious procession (15 August is the Day of Great Virgin Mary).

Town of POMORIE – seaside resort, balneological tourism, religious tourism The town of Pomorie is located in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black seaside, at 22 km from Burgas and about 400 km from Sofia. The population of the town is about 14 000 people. Main Road E87, which connects the Northern and the Southern Black Seaside also passes through Pomorie. One can get to Varna, Burgas, Sozopol and Nessebar through the port of Pomorie. The town is also located quite near the international airport of the town of Burgas. Pomorie is amongst the most popular destinations during the summer season – the average July temperature of the air and the water is 23,6°С, the sunshine gets to 2360 hours per year and the beach is about 5 km long. The winter is mild, with minimal snowfalls. Further to that as early as from the past the region was famous for the healing properties of the mud yielded during the production of salt in Pomorie Lake. The curative qualities of the mineral water in the town are also well known. The slow cooling of the sea water is especially characteristic of the area. In the morning, prior to sunrise, the air is rich in ozone and negative ions, of ultraviolet rays and iodine emitted in gaseous state from the seaweed.

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The earliest traces of human activities in Pomorie were from the Stone Age (6th millennium before Christ), there are traces from the Stone-Copper Age (5th millennium before Christ), the Bronze Age (3rd – 2nd millennium before Christ) and the Iron Age (the end of the 2nd millennium before Christ). During the 2nd century before Christ the name of Pomorie was Anhialo. In 45 Anhialo became a part of the Roman Empire. During the second century the town grew up when it was built up in a new place (in the locality Paleocastro). Whilst it was a part of the Roman Empire, Anhialo experienced intensive growth. The fact that it coined money was an expression of the economic and political development of the town. The cult to the nymphs was also intensely disseminated during that time, these were the so called “Anhialo Nymphs” – according to the local people these were three girls who inhabited the mountains, the forests and the rivers. They were deemed as Goddesses – protectors of the springs. This cult is related to the located in the proximity mineral baths – Akva kalide – the present Burgas mineral baths which in the past were called Anhialo Baths. The town was visited in person by the rulers of the Roman Empire and lavish celebrations were organized for the visit of Emperor Diocletian on 28 October 294. The town occupied a significant strategic location also during the Middle Ages. The area was frequently a field of heavy fights between Bulgarians and Byzantine warriors and its territory was frequently in Bulgarian or in Byzantine hands during different time periods. In 1453 Anhialo fell under Ottoman Rule. During the second half of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century the sea town was an administrative center. The town was liberated from Ottoman Rule on 26 January (7 February – according to the Julian calendar) 1878. Anhialo continued to develop also after the Liberation – the local people dealt with viticulture, wine production, fishing, production of salt. The production of salt in the area of Pomorie has always been of great significance for the town. Fishing is also of significance for the subsistence and the economy of the town. Crafts and trade, implemented mainly by sea, developed. Anhialo was renamed to Pomorie in 1934. A great part of the finds discovered during archeological excavations within the area are exhibited in the Museum of History of Pomorie. The archeological exposition is distributed in several halls. The main part of the finds in hall “Prehistory” is from the Stone-Copper Age (the 5th millennium before Christ) and they were found in Kozarev’s settlement mound. A great part of the objects in hall “Antiquity” were taken out from the bottom of the sea and the Roman and Medieval town Anhialo was presented by finds from the excavations in the locality Paleocastro. A special hall in the museum is devoted to the coins. The oldest exhibited models in hall “” are from various Greek polises along the seaside, coins of the Thracian and Macedonian kings (5th – 1st centuries before Christ). A central place is dedicated to the bronze coins of Anhialo cut during the Roman epoch and to the Medieval Bulgarian coins. On the second floor of the museum the visitors may see the traditional arrangement of an urban house in Anhialo – a living-room and a bedroom and various objects. Traditional national costumes, women’s ornaments of the ethnographic groups within the region are exhibited. The from 1878 up to date is presented in two other departments through a rich photographic and documentary material. A Museum of Salt was opened on the bank of Pomorie Lake in 2002 which presents the development of this so significant for the town and the region branch both in the past and nowadays. This is the sole place in Bulgaria in which salt-works functioning in conformity with ancient technology were preserved. Pomorie lye treating diseases of the bone system and the skin is also obtained simultaneously with the production of salt. There is a rich photographic material, original instruments and other exhibits in the exposition of the museum. At the same time the visitors may walk round the functioning salt-works.

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Reserve Old Pomorie Houses is located in the proximity of the sea coast, on the eastern end of Pomorie. The buildings present the characteristic architecture of the Black Sea houses. Walking round Pomorie, do not miss entering some of the Christian temples – Monastery Saint George the Victorious, church Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord – the oldest building in the town, temple Holy Nativity of the Virgin and so on. Pomorie Tholus is located to the right along the road from Pomorie for Burgas. It impresses with its architecture and is unique of its kind on the Balkan Peninsula. According to some people the tholus served as a of a rich family from Anhialo. A great part of the finds discovered in it are exhibited in the halls of the Museum of History. It was announced as an architectural-construction monument of culture in issue 35 of the State Gazette of 1965. Pomorie is a popular tourist destination and offers its guests diversified possibilities for accommodation. The establishments and the restaurants in the town are also numerous. Because of the healing properties of the mud Pomorie is a popular balneological and SPA resort, visited during the summer and the winter months. Nessebar and Sozopol famous for their archeological finds and ancient history are also located in its proximity. The resort Sunny Beach which offers 24-hour entertainments is also situated nearby.

Town of SOZOPOL – seaside resort, religious tourism, cultural tourism The town of Sozopol is located on a picturesque peninsula in the southern part of Burgas Bay, at about 35 km from Burgas. The town is with a population of about 5000 people. It is one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Black seaside and one of the most popular seaside resorts in the country. The beautiful Old Town and its romantic atmosphere attract a lot of tourists from all over the world. The archeological researches prove a cultural tradition for over 7 millenniums. The first settlements in Sozopol Bay originated during the epoch of neolite at the end of the 6th millennium before Christ. In 610 before Christ migrants from the town of Millet from Asia Minor founded on Sozopol Peninsula a city-state called Apolonia. As early as during the first years of its existence Apolonia flourished remarkably. Solid fortress walls and monumental public buildings were built up during the 5th century. The antique authors mentioned the temple of Apollo the Healer with the colossal, high 13 meters statue of the God. In 72 before Christ was conquered by the legions of the Roman General Marcus Lucullus. The town was burned and plundered and the famous statue of God Apollo was taken away to Rome as a military trophy. During the 1st century after Christ the town was recovered and after the turning of Thrace into a Roman province the town continued to exist as a port center. After the adoption of Christianity as the official religion the town was called Sozopolis in conformity with the new Christian dogmas. During the 5th – 6th centuries Sozopol was encircled with new fortress walls preserved nowadays as ruins, which may be seen in the southern and the southeastern parts of the Peninsula. For the first time the town entered the borders of Bulgaria when it was conquered by the troops of Khan Krum in 812. Medieval Sozopol was a Bishop’s Center with over 20 churches and 5 monasteries. The ruins of the Monastery Complex on island Saint John – 10th – 17th centuries, the basilica in the center of the Old Town and a part of the Monastery Holy Apostles in Cape Skamniy in the northeastern part of the Old Town were preserved from the Medieval architecture up to date. By Decree of the Council of Ministers No 320 of 7 September 1974 the Old Town of Sozopol was announced as a museum. About 180 residential buildings of the middle of the 18th and the Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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beginning of the 19th century form the look of the reserve. The houses in the Old Town were built up of stone and wood and belong to the so called Black Sea architectural type of houses. The following are amongst the more famous of them: the house of Marieta Stefanova, the house of Kreanoolou, the house of Todor Zagorov, the house of Kurtidi, the house of Dimitri Laskaridis and so on. The archeological museum and the Art Gallery are sites of interest for a visit for the tourists. In 2010 the relics of Saint John the Baptist were discovered during archeological excavations on the nearby located island Saint John. Today the valuable relic is preserved in Temple St. St. Cyril and Methodius in the town and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Ancient Sozopol with the relics of John the Baptist was the winner in the classification Wonders of Bulgaria in 2011. Some of the biggest events in Sozopol are the Holidays of the Art Apolonia (1 – 10 September) and welcoming (30 June – 1 July). There are two beaches in Sozopol – central and Harmanite, and the beaches of the camping sites of Zlatna Ribka and Kavatsite are not far from here. The town is divided into an old and a new parts. The Old Town is preferred for romantic walks because of its cobblestone streets and the old houses. A lot of hotels, food and entertainment establishments are concentrated into the new part of the town. The possibilities for accommodation are diversified – luxurious hotels, small family hotels, guest houses, bungalows. There are several camping sites in the immediate proximity of the town as well: Gradina, Zlatna Ribka, Kavatsi, Veselie and Smokinya. The restaurants offer characteristic Black Sea Bulgarian cuisine and diversified specialties of the house. Various kinds of sea sports may be practiced on the beaches – jet , surfing, beach volleyball, boat trips, fishing. Reserve Ropotamo is also situated near here to the south, comprising the mouth of the river of the same name. Boat trips along the river and observation of interesting species of birds and plants are offered there.

Town of PRIMORSKO – seaside resort The resort of Primorsko is located on a small peninsula in the southeastern part of the Black seaside. It is situated at 50 kilometers from Burgas and at 450 kilometers from the capital Sofia. The population of the town is 2800 people and during the summer months the number of the people repeatedly increases because of the numerous tourists who choose Primorsko for their summer holiday. The climate here is moderate continental with Black Sea and Mediterranean influence, characteristic with mild and short winter and continuous summer. The average July temperature is 23-24°С. 4 sanctuaries, 12 dolmen and 10 mound necropolises were discovered around Primorsko. The sanctuary Beglik tash which impersonates the cult to the Sun provokes the greatest interest amongst the tourists. The rock sanctuary beside Primorsko is one of the biggest discoveries for the Thracian history of the Bulgarian southern Black seaside and Strandzha. It is located in the central highest part of Cape Beglik tash, with altitude above sea level 128 m and comprises an area of about 6 decares. Its central part is studied best where separate rock elements of the ritual space are located in a circle with a diameter 56 m over a big rock terrace, slightly elevated above the surrounding terrain. It was created in the middle of the 2nd millennium before Christ and was destroyed at the beginning of the 4th century after Christ. Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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Reserve Ropotamo is located beside Primorsko. A multitude of interesting and unique natural sites are situated on the territory of the reserve – the firth of the Ropotamo River, swamp Arkutino, dense forests which are very rarely encountered in this geographical latitude, various rock phenomena, sloughs, swamps and so on. The reserve is a part of the bigger protected zone Ramsar Place Ropotamo. The firth of the Ropotamo River is one of the main tourist landmarks in the reserve. Attractive boat trips along the stream of the river are offered here. Reserve Arkutino or Bear Swamp is known for its clean countryside and rare plants in the municipality of Primorsko. Sand lily grows here. It has a clean and long beach strip. One of the best preserved dune complexes along the Black seaside is located to the north of Primorsko, in the zone between lagoon Stamopolou and the beach strip. Some dunes get to height 19 m and are an exceptional view for the visitors. This is the natural landmark Sand Dunes – Perla (Pearl). The town of Primorsko is a preferred destination because of the favorable climate, its wonderful countryside, the historical and cultural monuments, the hospitable local population and the various attractions it offers. There are 4 beaches in the area around the town – northern, central, southern and Perla which offer various attractions – volleyball playfield, fitness, water skis, pedalos, surfing, trip boats, scooters, as well as children’s facilities. Accommodation in Primorsko is quite diversified – from private lodgings, villas, family hotels to hotel complexes. The restaurants in the town offer traditional Bulgarian cuisine, fish delicacies and there is also a live music in a lot of them.

KITEN – seaside resort The Kiten is located on the Black seaside, only at 5 km from the town of Primorsko and at about 55 km to the south of the town of Burgas. The population of the town is only 1000 people, but during the summer months the liveliness here is great because of the numerous tourists who choose Kiten for their summer holidays. The average July temperature here is 23-24°С., and one of the riches of Kiten is the unique combination of sea and mountain (Strandzha). The other richness consists of the two wonderful sea bays – and Atliman and the spacious beach strips. The northern beach known as Atliman is located in the bottom of the bay of the same name and includes beautiful sand dunes. The southern bay Urdoviza is divided into two beaches – Kiten-South and Camping Site Kiten. There was a settlement in ancient times on the lands where Kiten now is, from which fortress walls were preserved, which were restored nowadays. Today’s settlement was founded in 1932. The name Kiten (Picturesque) comes from the fact that seen from far aside, the settlement resembled a bunch of flowers. A multitude of finds were taken out during archeological investigations from the southern bay – tools from stone, bones and ceramic containers which at the moment may be seen in the museum in the town of Sozopol. The legend tells how during the first years from the seizure of Bulgaria by the a girl named Stana Urdovizka became famous for her beauty in the fortress Urdoviza. She was so beautiful that the Ottoman Sultan was captivated by her beauty and proposed her to marry him. The girl agreed under the condition that he fulfills one her desire – as much land as a rider of a “flying” horse may go round from sunrise to sunset in her native land should be exempt from all taxes. The ruler agreed. One day early in the morning the girl rode Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas

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her horse and all day long she went riding round the wooded Strandzha hills and ravines. In the evening when the rider had gone round nearly all over Strandzha mountain, she started into the direction of the Black Sea Coast. When she got to the bay, her horse dropped dead. The beautiful Urdoviza girl died from fatigue too. The local population was exempt from taxes and the bay was called Atliman (Horse Bay). Nowadays Kiten is a pleasant resort, which everyone may find his place in the numerous private hotels, lodgings, holiday homes and camping sites. The unique combination of sea and mountain, spacious beaches with various attractions, the possibilities for fishing offer an unforgettable holiday. The food and entertainment establishments are numerous and diversified – restaurants, pizzerias, taverns, bars and disco clubs. The proximity of Primorsko increases the possibilities for accommodation and entertainments. Ropotamo reserve is nearby and attractive boat trips are offered along the mouth of the Ropotamo River. No one may get bored on the beaches of Kiten and Primorsko – you may go surfing, hire a jet, dive, play beach volleyball or practice another sports or just get sunburnt. The river which flows into the sea next to Kiten – Karaagach is rich in fish and is a favorite place for the fishermen holiday-makers in the resort.

The town of Burgas– cultural tourism, balneological tourism Burgas is one of the biggest towns in the country. It is located on the coast of the Black Sea, in Burgas Bay, at 400 km from Sofia and 130 km from Varna. Burgas is an administrative center of the region of the same name. The population of the town is over 230 000 people. The port of Burgas is the biggest cargo port in the country. The airport which carries out international flights is located at 10 km to the northeast of the town. The climate of Burgas, strongly influenced by the sea, is moderate continental, with average summer temperatures of 26.4oС, and the average temperature of the sea water in summer is 24,7 С. The proximity of the sea and the flat nature of the area is the reason for its being populated as early as from ancient times. The earliest finds in the region refer to the Bronze and the early Iron Age. The archeological finds from the Thracian time period (4th century before Christ) are a lot in number. Some of the biggest fights of the Bulgarian state with the were conducted within the region of Burgas. The victories of Khan (8th century) in Anhialo field in 708 and of Khan Kardam (who ruled 777 - 802) at Karnobat fortress Markeli in 792 ratified the Bulgarian state. During the Ottoman rule the town developed as an educational and spiritual center. During the 18th century the port of Burgas had already turned into the biggest one to the south of Stara Planina (the Balkan Mountain). Burgas was liberated from Ottoman rule on 6 February 1878. The town underwent intense industrialization and modernization at the beginning of the 20th century. Along with its good transport connections, the access to the sea, developed industry and preserved history simultaneously with that, Burgas nowadays is an attractive destination for the tourists. The town and the region offer diversified possibilities for tourism - sea, cultural tourism with the multitude of museums and cultural sites, balneological and SPA, ornithological, wine tourism and so on.

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Tourists may find out more about the history of the town and other curious facts in the expositions of the Regional Museum of History of Burgas, which are located in several buildings. Photographs, documents for the newest history of Burgas – after 1878 to the seventies of the 20th century are exhibited in the historical exposition. Archeological finds from the Prehistory and the Middle Ages are exhibited in the archeological exposition at 21, Aleko Bogoridi Blvd. The history of navigation in the Black Sea as early as from the middle of the 2nd millennium before Christ is presented with a special collection of exhibits. Here the visitors will learn more about the history of Burgas during the First and Second Bulgarian Kingdoms and the fall of the town under Ottoman Rule. The Cathedral Temple St. St. Cyril and Methodius is also amongst the most visited sites in the town. The temple was built up during the time period 1897-1907 in conformity with plans of the Italian architect Riccardo Toscani (1857-1929). The brothers Cyril and Methodius are depicted on the stained glass at the main entrance. The church was announced as an architectural-construction monument of culture of national significance in issue 18 of the State Gazette of 1979. The ethnographic exposition representing the culture and the lifestyle of Burgas in the past is located next to the Cathedral Temple St. St. Cyril and Methodius, in a house from the middle of the 19th century. The richest collection of traditional costumes from all the ethnographic groups in the region of Burgas is located in the museum, unique ritual costumes are shown, characteristic of the area of Burgas. Here the visitors may learn more about traditional Bulgarian rituals such as Christmas carol singing, singing and dancing on St. Lazarus’ Day (for health, fertility and prosperity), fire dancing and so on. Square Troykata – an also pleasant place for walks, is near the temple as well. The diversity of birds in Burgas lakes in the present condition of the flora and fauna along the southern Black seaside is presented in the natural scientific exposition. In the house-museum Petya Dubarova the visitors may get in touch with the life and the creative work of the youngest poetess of Bulgaria. Petya Dubarova was born on 25 April 1962 in Burgas and although she committed suicide at the age of 17, she remained in the history of the with her incredible poetic talent. Her native house was turned into a museum which opened its doors for visitors on 7 August 1995. A restoration of the room of the young poetess was made in the museum – her school uniform, diary as well as rich photographic material are exhibited there. The museum also plays the role of a cultural institute. The literary competition in the name of the poetess has existed since 1984 and young creators from all the genres may participate in it. A summer workshop has been conducted since 2003, which the participants who best presented themselves at the literary competition take part in, and lecturers are invited to. The museum is the host of a multitude of exhibitions, literary readings, presentations of books and so on. Burgas is the cultural center of the region which is seen from the active activities of the Burgas Opera House, Theater of Drama Adriana Budevska and the State Puppet Theater - Burgas. The galleries in the town are numerous as well. A multitude of cultural events is also conducted in the restored Sea Casino beside the sea garden. The sea garden is an appropriate place for walks and relaxation. The summer theater of the town, where various concerts and performances are delivered, is also located here. The bridge of Burgas is one of the favorite places for walks of the inhabitants and the guests of the town. It was built up in 1936 and is located in the proximity of the casino.

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A bicycle park was built up in Park Ezero (Lake) (at the entrance to the sea garden) with three different levels of difficulty, and for people in search of more adrenaline a special route for the so called “dirt jumping” was built up – a discipline in cycling at which artificially made of earth mass jumps (bumps) are overcome and a number of attractive figures are performed in the air. During the summer season Burgas turns into a festival center. A festival of the sand figures has been held for a few years in the town – sculptors from all over the world get involved in making sand figures, which tons of sand are used for. The figures are bound to the subject- matter of the festival which is different every year. Spirit of Burgas is indisputably the festival which brought international fame to Burgas and Bulgaria. The festival has been held since 2008 during the month of August and gathers world famous musicians from various styles on several stages. The town is also the host of a multitude of literary, musical and folklore festivals and their culmination is traditionally during the summer season. As a big economic, cultural and tourist center, various possibilities for accommodation may be found in Burgas – luxurious hotels, little cozy family hotels, lodgings, guest houses. The night life, in particular during the summer season, also offers lots of possibilities – disco clubs, bars, casinos. Except in the central streets of Burgas, there are establishments along the seaside and in the Sea Garden. There are other sea town near Burgas such as Chernomorets, Pomorie, Nessebar and Sozopol and there is a multitude of camping sites within the region as well. You may obtain more information about the landmarks of the town and the possibilities for accommodation from the Tourist Information Center.

Village of SINEMORETS – seaside resort, eco tourism Sinemorets is a village located in the most southern part of the Bulgarian Black seaside, not far from the border with Turkey. The village is located on the sea coast, in the immediate proximity of the picturesque mouth of the Veleka River. The resort town of Ahtopol is located at 6 km to the north of Sinemorets and the village of Rezovo is situated at 11 km to the south. Sinemorets attracts numerous tourists because of the virgin countryside and the beautiful beaches. The immediate proximity of natural park Strandzha offers coolness on hot days as well as numerous possibilities for pedestrian hikes to various natural and historical landmarks. There are two beaches in the village – one is Butamyata and the other one is at the mouth of the Veleka River. One of the most picturesque beaches along the Bulgarian Black seaside – Silistar is also located not far from here. Boat-banana trips and jets for rent are offered here for fans of water sports. Fans of natural tours may rent a horse or a pony or make boat trips along the Veleka River. Several routes suitable for pedestrian and cycling tourism lead from Sinemorets to various places of interest in Strandzha. Strandzha villages located not far from Sinemorets preserved their centuries-old traditions and present them to their guests with pride. One of them, known throughout the world, is fire dancing – a ritual dance over glowing embers which is practiced on the Holiday of St. St. Constantine and Helena. Frequently during the summer months fire dances are organized

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especially for the tourists within the region. Strandzha villages Gramatikovo, Kosti, Balgari and Mladezhko successfully develop village tourism. The waters of the Veleka River are rich in fish and attract a lot of fishermen. Both freshwater and marine fish which enter the river in search of food may be caught at its mouth. Although the village is small, it offers diversified places for accommodation – luxurious complexes, hotels and guest houses. The food and entertainment establishments offer sea and Bulgarian national cuisine.

Town of AHTOPOL – seaside resort Ahtopol is located at 90 km to the south of Burgas and at 14 km to the southeast of Tsarevo. The southern sea town is situated on a small rocky peninsula, long about 500 m and wide about 300 m. The climate here is exceptionally suitable for marine tourism – a lot of sunny days and coolness from the forests of Strandzha Mountain. The average July temperature in the town is 22-23°С. Ahtopol has ancient history – a lot of anchors were discovered in the aquatory of the bay, evidence for the life on the peninsula in various historical epochs. Finds as a stone ax and ceramic fragments indicated that there was a settlement in the place of Ahtopol as early as during the Stone and the Copper Stone Ages, traces of the Thracians who lived here during the Bronze Ages were also discovered. A colony of already existed there as of the end of the 5th century before Christ with the name Agatopolis – from Greek - “agatos” (good) and “polis” (town). The town is mentioned in the historical information about the uprising of the boyars Asen and Peter against Byzantine Rule (1185). The town was conquered by the Ottomans in 1396. Fire destroyed Ahtopol in October 1918. Solely the church Ascension of 1796 and partially the monastery church Saint Yani (Saint John the Baptist) survived after the element. So an entirely new town of Ahtopol was built up after the fire. Today Ahtopol is a small sea town with a nice beach, pleasant restaurants and hotels. The places for accommodation are a lot in number and offer various variants – from a hotel to a room for rent or a bungalow. Ahtopol is remote from the big seaside resorts, which turns it into a preferred destination for tourists in search of tranquility and relaxation. The relaxation on the beach may be combined with forest hikes in Park Strandzha located in its immediate proximity. There is a multitude of tourist routes with various length and difficulty here. Other small resort settlements such as Tsarevo, Lozenets, Varvara, Sinemorets and the most southern point of the Bulgarian Black seaside – Rezovo are situated quite near the town.

Town of TSAREVO – seaside resort The town of Tsarevo is located in the southeastern part of the country, on the southern Black seaside, at about 66 km from Burgas. The border of Bulgaria with Turkey is only at about 40 km to the south from Tsarevo. The territory of the municipality occupies a great part of Strandzha Mountain. The population of the town is about 5000 people. In the past the town was called Vasilikou (12th century), it is known that in 1351 it was called Vasilikos and up to 1934 it was known under the name of Vasiliko. During the time period 1950 – 1991 the town bore the name of Michurin. From 1991 up to date it bears its present name Tsarevo.

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The town had a developed port and great traditions in shipbuilding and fishing. The immediate proximity of Strandzha Mountain, where the wooden material for the construction of the ships came from, was amongst the main advantages of Tsarevo. Traditionally in the shipyard of Tsarevo smaller to medium-size ships were built up, but their distinctive feature was the sharp breakwater. In Greek this part of the ship was called “karina”, this was why the inhabitants of the town were called “kakarines”. There was flotilla of 42 ships during the first half of the 19th century in the sea town. Wheat and grapes were produced within the region, which were the main goods the local population traded in. Tsarevo maintained good commercial connections with the capital of the Ottoman Empire Istanbul and with ports in the and the Sea of Marmara. After the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule (1878) the town remained within the borders of the Ottoman Empire. Only after the Balkan War (1912 - 1913) the town joined Bulgaria again. Nowadays Tsarevo is divided into an old and a new part. During the eighties of the 19th century a big fire destroyed a great part of the town and today there are very few houses which had remained from before the fire. The church Holy Assumption is located on the southern peninsula of Tsarevo. Another temple existed in the place of the present church. The church was built up in 1831, and its modern appearance is from 1895. A part of the icons date back to the end of the 18th century. The resort settlement Lozenets is at 7 km from the town. The beaches of the former camping sites Koral, Yug and Oasis are in the proximity of Tsarevo. Other resort small towns as Ahtopol, Sinemorets, Kiten and others are also located not far from it. The immediate proximity of Strandzha Mountain is the reason for the developed eco and mountain tourism within the region. There are designated routes on the territory of Natural Park Strandzha, passing along which tourists may learn more about the history, the animal and vegetation species within the region. The rivers around Tsarevo are rich in fish and the view of fishermen on the bridges and the coasts may frequently be seen here. Tsarevo has a rich cultural program. Traditionally in August a Week of the Sea, an International Festival of Honeydew Honey, national and international folklore festivals are held here. There are a lot of hotels, guest houses and camping sites on the territory of Tsarevo, which offer accommodation depending on the possibilities and the tastes of the tourists. The establishments are also diversified and offer delicious seafood.

Town of CHERNOMORETS – seaside resort The town of Chernomorets is located at 25 km to the town of Burgas. It is situated on the northern cape of Sozopol Bay, exactly opposite the old town and island Saint John. It has 4 beach strips and is only at about a kilometer from the camping site of Gradina offering excellent conditions for surfing. The Orthodox Temple St. Nicholas and the Garden of Eden located opposite it are landmarks here. The settlement grows up quickly and has a lot of new hotels, villas and private lodgings. Town of AHELOY – seaside resort It is located on the coast of the big Burgas Bay. The relief is predominantly flat and there is a slightly hilly terrain to the northwest of the town known as the locality Strolata (the old name was Streli Bair (Hill)). European Road E87 connecting Northern and

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beside the sea passes through the town. The Aheloy River also passes beside the town rising from Aytos Heights and flowing into the Black Sea. The main occupation of the local population is construction and marine tourism. Aheloy has its microclimate formed by its flat terrain, the Balkan Mountain and the Black Sea. It has a very mild winter and cool summer, which make it a pleasant and desired place for residence and recreation. Because of its close location to the coast of the Black Sea and tourist complex Sunny Beach, Aheloy becomes a more and more attractive place for tourism. A lot of the seaside plots were purchased by companies aimed at construction of residential apartments and construction of tourist hotels. At the moment there are several functioning hotels, restaurants, day-time and night bars on the territory of the town of Aheloy. Several modern petrol stations were built up because of their strategic location and the big flow of motor vehicles. Village of RAVDA – seaside resort The village of Ravda is located at about 33 km after Burgas and 4 km before Nessebar. Regardless of its proximity to big resorts such as Sunny Beach and Nessebar, Ravda is a calm place with a nice beach suitable for people of all ages. It is especially popular for holidays of families with children. There are a lot of legends about the origination of the settlement and its name. According to one of them hundreds of years ago, shepherds settled down in the region and the place was called after one of them - Ravadin. Another legend tells that a long time ago the lands within the region belonged to a bad landowner who beat his workers with a stick called ravdas. The most interesting is the legend, according to which God Neptune fell in love with the beautiful girl Ravdalina, who wanted to take her into the depths of the sea but she refused. Infuriated, the God sent a water element, which should have destroyed the village, but the other Gods stopped the disaster. Thus the huge waves formed numerous bays. One of the interesting sites for a visit in the village is the church Saint Paraskeva. It was built up in 1884 by the Greeks Vasilios and Theodorakis jointly with the local people. In 1998 the temple was restored. The beach strip of Ravda spreads out on an area of 57 000 sq. m and is divided in two by Cape Ravda. The southern beach is popular amongst the tourists with the nice sand, the clean sea and the diversified possibilities for entertainments whilst the northern one offers calmer holidays. There are possibilities in Ravda for various water sports - diving, jet skiing around the sea, sailing, wind surfing and so on. The immediate proximity of Ravda to Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Elenite and Aheloy is a prerequisite for a diversified holiday. Tourists may practice cultural tourism in Nessebar, Sunny Beach is also nearly which is popular with its possibilities for entertainment. People in search of diversity may change the beach every day. The connection between the resorts is provided by regular transport for a brief time. There are lots of possibilities in Ravda for accommodation – hotel complexes, apartments, family hotels, rooms for rent. The establishments in the village are also a lot and seafood is also prepared in a great part of them. Town of SVETI VLAS – seaside resort, climate treatment Sveti Vlas is a fast developing resort settlement located at 10 km to the north of the town of Nessebar and at 2 km from Sunny Beach. The settlement was founded during the 2nd century by ancient Thracians. Then it bore the name of Larisa and it was only during the 14th century when it accepted the name of Sveti Vlas (Saint Vlas) – a patron of traders, a stock

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breeder and a healer. A monastery existed during the 14th – 18th centuries in the name of the Saint which was burned by fire from the endless pirate raids. Saint Vlas is a respected Saint both by the Catholic and by the . Another 4 monasteries were located in the surroundings of the settlement. The town of Sveti Vlas is one of the oldest settlements in the municipality of Nessebar. All of them were destroyed during the 18th century but separate remains of them may still be encountered. The biggest yacht port in Bulgaria was opened in 2007 in Sveti Vlas – Marina Dinevs, with a capacity of 300 yachts. The beach of Sveti Vlas is with exposure to the south. The sand is fine, golden. A unique combination of clean mountain air, sea climate and beautiful countryside. Sveti Vlas is a favorite place for recreation of lots of Bulgarians and foreigners. The fair of Sveti Vlas is held on 2 May — summer Saint Athanasius’ Day. An international sailing regatta Saint Vlas is held in the aquatory of Nessebar Bay on 18, 19 and 20 July. The municipal Marine Club Nessebar 2000 is the host of the competition. Regatta Saint Vlas has a five-year history behind its back. Town of OBZOR – seaside resort The town of Obzor is located on the border between the regions of Varna and Burgas. It is located in a bay which begins to the north of Cape Saint Athanasius and reaches Emine Mountain on the south. The resort Obzor is located on the panoramic road connecting the Southern and the Northern Black Seaside, at 65 km to the south of the town of Varna and at 6 km from the town of Byala. It is remote at 74 km from Burgas and at 37 km from Nessebar. The town is with population about 2000 people. The climate is moderate continental and the average July temperature is 23°С. The beach strip of the resort is long about 10 km and wide from 20 to 60 m. The southern beach and beach Irakli are especially beautiful. The sand is grained, with golden color. The combination of beautiful countryside, clean sea, golden sand, tranquility, hospitality and good cuisine turn Obzor into a preferred place by the tourists. A number of sports as beach volleyball, swimming, surfing, diving, jets, water skis and others may be practiced on the beach. Obzor offers various entertainments – disco clubs, bars, restaurants, taverns, small family establishments and there are attractive facilities, slides and swimming pools for children in the hotel complexes. The hotels in the town are also numerous and diversified – there are both big luxurious complexes and small family hotels here. Obzor is one of the most ancient settlements on the sea coast. The numerous architectural and ceramic fragments which were discovered within the area of the town and the remains of fortress walls testify about its millenary history. The first settlement on these lands was Thracian and its name was Navlohos. The Greeks founded here Helipolis (sunny town) during the first millennium before Christ. A summer residence of Byzantine Emperors was located here later on. The Romans built up here a Temple of Jupiter and erected a fortress which should have protected their commercial roads between Constantinople and the Danube. Nowadays remains of columns, capitals and statues from the Roman Temple of Jupiter are exhibited in the small park of Obzor. Later on Bulgarians built up the fortress Kozyak whose remains are located at about 3 km from Obzor. The ruins of the fortress foundations and remains of towers in the corners may also be seen nowadays in the locality Kaleto. The settlement Gyozeken (Obzor (Survey) in Turkish) originated on this territory during the time of the Ottoman Empire. In 1934 the name of the village was replaced by Kozyak town

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and from 1936 its name was Obzor. Obzor was officially announced as a town on 9 September 1984. The tourists in Obzor may see the museum collection of the town. The historical-ethnographic collection has been collected for over 30 years and presents the history, the lifestyle and the culture of the inhabitants of the ancient settlement. The material was divided into two main subject-matters. One of them is history and archeology. There are over 800 exhibits in it and it comprises the time period from the 5th – 4th centuries before Christ to the 18th century after Christ. The second is ethnographic and has 300 exhibits. It comprises the time period – 18th – 20th centuries. Resort complex SUNNY BEACH – seaside resort Sunny Beach is the biggest Bulgarian resort. It is located on a bay with the shape of a crescent between the town of Nessebar and the resort Sveti Vlas. With its hundreds of hotels, numerous establishments, shops and built up infrastructure, the resort complex nowadays may welcome several hundred thousand tourists. The climate here is distinguished for a hot sunny summer and average July temperatures 22- 23°С. The beach strip is long over 10 km and in places is wide over 60 meters. The fine sand, the natural sand dunes and the smooth sea bottom attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. The beach of Sunny Beach is the bearer of a Blue Flag in 2011 – a distinction for clean environment. The possibilities for accommodation in the complex are exceptionally diversified – here there are luxurious five-star complexes, various categories of hotels, villas, guest houses, apart- hotels. The food and entertainment establishments in the resort are hundreds in number and offer diversified Bulgarian and international cuisine. The clubs and the disco clubs in Sunny Beach are famous throughout the world. Popular DJs and performers visit them frequently and their parties attract lots of young people. The entertainment of the tourists is guaranteed by various attractions – water sports, surfing, beach volleyball, aquaparks, bowling, various facilities for children. The resort imposed itself also as one of the big complexes in the country offering wonderful conditions for conference and business tourism. The big hotels have big conference rooms and facilities needed for this kind of services. Nessebar is located in the proximity included because of its numerous cultural monuments in the List of the Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. The biggest yacht port at the Bulgarian Black seaside is located in the neighboring resort Sveti Vlas. Village of LOZENETS – seaside resort Lozenets is one of the fastest developing settlements on the coast of the southern Bulgarian Black seaside. As geographic facts the mountain and the sea play an important role in the development of the area. Lozenets is a typical fishermen’s village providing fresh fish and fish delicacies for the local restaurants. The proximity of Strandzha Mountain makes it an even more exciting and unique place for recreation. You need not choose whether to go to the mountain or to the seaside, you should simply visit Lozenets. The village is small, cozy and relaxing. The two- and three-storeyed houses and villas predominate here, turned into comfortable small hotels or providing lodgings for holiday-makers. It is full of a lot of greenery. A mountainous and sea climate are combined here. The average summer temperatures vary between 22-25 degrees for the months June and September and between

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26-31 degrees for July and August. Measurements indicate that the sea water in the resort village is the cleanest along the Bulgarian Black seaside and the availability of useful microelements such as magnesium, calcium, iodine, bromine and others were highly appreciated by specialists from all over the world. Village of VARVARA – seaside resort Varvara is known most of all by the beautiful sea. Although the sand strip is only one and at that quite small, it is one of the most beautiful along our Black seaside. Due to its remoteness the village managed to preserve its clean nature and crystal sea waters. The village is surrounded by rocky bays, suitable for underground fishing and diving. There are traces from late antique and Medieval fortress on the near to the village Peak Papiya. The Iron Tree made especially for the shooting of the film “Big Night Bathing” is also located beside Varvara. It is namely the place where the hippies welcome July Morning for years on end. The fair of Varvara is held for two days during the first week of September. Fire dancers are organized in the evening of the first day and people’s fights are performed at lunch time on the second day. Town of Malko Tarnovo – climatic resort, eco-tourism

Located in the center of Strandzha Mountain, on the bigger part of the territory of the natural park of the same name, the municipality of Malko Tarnovo is the heir of the centuries-old connection between the mountain and the sea. This connection has marked with its beneficial influence all the cultural layers and historical epochs – starting from the time of mythical Phineus and the Argonauts set out for the Golden Fleece to Colchis and getting to today’s artistic and creative manifestations provoked by the magic of this mountain.

The modern look of the municipality, which collected in itself the millenary history of Europe – from Thracians to Christianity form it as one of the attractive tourist centers in Bulgaria. Here the spirit of the past has been carried over through time.

The unique atmosphere of Malko Tarnovo is created by the two churches – Catholic and Orthodox, the Museum of History located in the buildings of three typical Renaissance houses from the middle of the 19th century, the walks to the Thracian tombs from the Roman epoch in the surroundings of the town and last but not least the spring in the center which became a symbol of Malko Tarnovo – The Big Vris. Local people say about it that if a girl or a boy from another town drink water from it, they will marry in Malko Tarnovo.

***** The development of products which are of serious interest on the EU market may be the key to the success of the tourist product of the region of Burgas. We may refer to them: gastronomy and wine, cultural and historical heritage, village and eco-tourism, tourist attractions, adventure tourism and balneological treatment and healing tourism. According to the World Tourism Organization the development of the specialized kinds of tourism is a logical and desired strategy for the countries from the Balkan region. It could contribute to the extension of the tourist season, to the creation of additional employment and expansion of the scope of the regions and the number of the municipalities dealing with tourism.

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The principle of elaboration in stages and the mutual supplement of products and their integration in the ones traditionally offered in Bulgaria should be used in the development of new products. The product should be conformed to the requirements of the target groups and it should be sellable. The development of the tourist product should be fully conformed to the dynamic changes in the tastes and the preferences of the foreign tourists. The enhanced interest in the cultural heritage will render assistance to the supply of thematic cultural tours. The aspiration for healthy way of life stimulates the development of balneological treatment and health tourism. And the attitude to the environment and nature stimulates the interest in village and eco tourism. The clearly expressed tendency of choice of short holidays as compared to long also facilitates the development of specialized tourist products. Products which will grow up in the next few years in the region of Burgas are the sun and the beaches – big complexes in ratified destinations; weakly populated complexes, ecologically sustainable; health and sports - resorts, sports activities in the open air; culture – tours of towns, historical settlements, secondary towns, short journeys for events and measures; new products – village areas and the inside of the region, trips of special interest, ethnography, thematic trips. The region of Burgas has excellent possibilities to develop and offer on the international tourist market joint tourist routes with the neighboring destinations in Turkey and Greece.

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