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CULTURAL TOURISM
Bulgaria is one of the oldest European countries, with 13-centuries-old history. It is situated upon area of 111 sq. km, in the southeast part of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Here the roads that connect Europe with Asia and Africa cross each other. Bulgaria has beautiful nature - spacious plains, valleys and higher mountains. Vast sand beach strips and beautiful rocky coasts are situated along the coastal zone of the Black Sea.
Situated at the crossroad of cultures and civilizations, Bulgaria keeps in her lands rich cultural heritage. Many interesting things can be seen in the Bulgarian lands. Gold treasures, Thracian sepulchre tumuli, remains of Roman forums, bath facilities, theatres, churches and monasteries, architectural ensembles from the national revival – all these things unambiguously indicate the Bulgarian contribution to the world and European material culture. The medieval hand-written books that preserved alive Bulgarian writing and language, the national traditions and holidays, the music and songs – all are evidence for the rich spiritual culture.
On the territory of our country there are hundreds of historical records with national, regional and local importance. Eight of them are of world importance, declared for unique cultural monuments, priceless property not only for Bulgaria, but also for the entire humankind. They are included in the UNESCO’s List of cultural and natural heritage:
- Kazanlashka grobnitsa (Kazanlashka Vault). A Thracian vault from the end of the 4-th – beginning of 3-rd century BC. The grave chamber and the corridor are covered with magnificent mural paintings – a symbolic farewellto the Thracian ruler, who takes the road to Hades.
- Sveshtarska grobnitsa (Sveshtarska Vault). A Thracian vault from the beginning of the 3-rd century BC, which is part of the Thracian cult center "Sboryanovo". It astounds with the ten kariatids, (grouped three at a time beside the sides of the grave chamber) who were kept watching over the deathbed of the ruler.
- Boyanska tsarkva (Boyanska Church). A medieval church beside Sofia from 11–12 century. In the two-storied family church-vault, painted in year 1259, are portrayed the gorgeous effigies of Tsar Konstantin Tih Asen and his wife Irina, and that of the ktitor-sebastocrator (founder of a church) Kaloyan and his wife Desislava. They have not only high artistic value, but also historical one. Madarski konnik (Madara horseman). A medieval full-size stone relief, hewn into a vertical rock beside the town of Shumen in the 8–9-th century. It perpetuates the image of Khan Tervel in a solemn pose as a victor.
- Skalni tsarkvi (Rocky Churches) beside Ivanovo village. A complex of Bulgarian medieval churches, chapels and monastic cells, cut in the rocks of the Rusenski Lom River. Preserved are valuable mural paintings from 13-th century, a unique monument of the medieval Bulgarian art.
- The Old town of Nessebar. An architectural and archeological reserve in the old part of the town of Nessebar. Combinesantique monuments from the time of the ancient Mesemvria with the picturesque Nessebar churches and typical wooden Black Sea houses.
- Rilski manastir (Rila Monastery). It is the biggest and the most beautiful Bulgarian monastery huddled amongst the Rila Mountain. Founded in 10-th century by St. Ivan Rilski – the first Bulgarian hermit honored by the Christians as a healer. In its construction works and decoration had participated many talented builders, icon-painters and wood-carvers from the period of National Revival. The monastery was literary and educational center during the 15-th century.
Great are also the artistic merits of many other national monuments - the picturesque houses and small streets such as those in the Old district of Plovdiv, the antique and medieval cult center of “Perperikon”, the Valley of the Thracian tsars – a complex of Thracian vaults beside Kazanlak, the historical and archeological reserve of “Sboryanovo”, which combines remarkable monuments from several epochs and religions, the Thracian cult center of “Starosel”, the medieval church of “Sveti 40 machenitsi” in the town of Veliko Tarnovo.
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