4 Places You Must Visit During Your Trip to Bulgaria
4 Places You Must Visit During Your Trip to Bulgaria
Have you visited Bulgaria before, or is it your first time? Bulgaria is a beautiful country, but it remains hidden in plain view as far as the rest of the world is concerned. Bulgaria is often referred to as Europe’s Greatest Secret. So as you book a flight to Sofia Bulgaria from London UK, here’s a quick look at the wonderful places that you must visit during your trip to Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian Stonehenge at Perperikon
Perperikon was once an ancient city located in Eastern Rhodopes. It is located on a 470, high rocky hill, about 15 km from the town of Kardzhali. It is the largest megalith ensemble in the Balkans. It is home to a beautiful shrine dedicated to Dionysus of the Bessi. This stunning ancient structure was discovered as recently as in 2001. The place was once used to make both human and animal sacrifices to appease the God of Sun, which is why the monolith points towards the Sun. That’s why the monument is referred to as the Bulgarian Stonehenge.
The Rila Monastery
The Rila Monastery is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria, which is located in the Rila Mountains, at a height of 1,147 metres above sea level. The Rila Monastery has been a centre of worship for over one thousand years for Bulgarians, even during the days of the Ottoman Empire, when the Bulgarian culture and heritage was brutally trampled upon. There’s a certain calmness and air of spirituality around the Rile Monastery, which is unmistakable. The highlight of the monastery is the holy cross, crafted by Master Raphael, which has 104 religious signs and 650 miniatures. The main building of the monastery has a gold-plated iconostasis.
The Town of Veliko Tarnovo
The town of Veliko Tarnovo was once a centre of political, cultural and economic activity in Bulgaria. This town protected Bulgarian culture when the entire country was run over by the Ottoman Empire. There is a proud history of courage and sacrifice linked to the town of Veliko Tarnovo. The highlights of the town are the Tzarevetz castle and the Patriarchate, two stunning institutions located on the mount Tzarevetz. The Tzarevetz fortress was the most important Bulgarian fortress during the second Bulgarian kingdom. During the excavation works, over 400 ancient buildings, 4 monasteries and 22 churches have been discovered. The town of Veliko Tarnovo is a historical marvel, and a favourite not just with tourists but also with scientists, historians, archaeologists, architects, and artists.
The Town of Old Nessebar
The town of old Nessebar is a historical delight. It is located on a small island and connected to the mainland on the Black Sea Coast by 400 metre long extension. It’s at a 30 minute drive from the city of Burgas and very close to the popular beach resort of Sunny Beach. Nessebar is a must visit for any serious students of history or archaeology as it is believed to be the oldest city in Europe. It has been home to several civilizations – Roman, Thracian, Bulgarian and Visantian. It is also the site of the Bulgarian Renaissance. Today, it is a popular tourist haunt with busy, bustling markets and cosy coffee shops and eateries.
