Nativity Memorial Church
Even before arriving in Shipka, you’ll see the splendid, onion-shaped golden domes of the Nativity Memorial Church glittering from amidst thick woods above the village, framed against the mountain. Part of the Shipka Monastery, and also known as the Church of St Nikolai, the magnif
Church of Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno
Within the Rila Monastery’s walls, four levels of colourful balconies – with monastic cells, storerooms, refectory and kitchen – surround the large courtyard and its magnificent Church of Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno, Bulgaria’s grandest monastery church. Built between 1834 and 1837, th
Madara National Historical & Archaeological Reserve
This reserve surrounds the so-called Madara Horseman (Madarski Konnik) . Carved into a cliff 23m high, the bas-relief features a mounted figure spearing a lion, followed by a dog.This early-8th-century creation was made to commemorate the victorious Khan Tervel, and the creation of
Neolithic Dwellings Museum
Two 8000-year-old Stone Age houses are partially preserved in a secure and airtight environment at the Neolithic Dwellings Museum. These modest one-room homes were abandoned after a fire several millennia ago, making them among the Balkans’ best preserved neolithic dwellings. Guid
Etâr Ethnographic Village Museum
Cumulatively known as the Etâr Ethnographic Village Museum, the market complex contains nearly 50 shops and workshops clustered along narrow lanes. It’s set all by itself in a 7-hectare, tree-lined spot along the Gabrovo–Shipka road. Etâr’s 19th-century National Revival–period-styl
Preobrazhenski Monastery
Preobrazhenski Monastir, originally dating from 1360, is located high in a forest 7km north of Veliko Târnovo. Bulgaria’s fourth-largest monastery, it offers fantastic views. Despite being destroyed by the Turks in the late 14th century, it was rebuilt in 1825, about 500m from the
Summer Palace of Queen Marie & Botanical Gardens
At the western end of the seafront, this little palace was completed in 1926 by King Ferdinand of Romania for his English wife, Queen Marie (Balchik was then part of Romania). It was rumoured that Marie entertained her much younger Turkish lover here.Size-wise, its a relatively mod
Rozhen Monastery
The Rozhen Monastery, also called Birth of the Virgin Mary Monastery, stands 7km north of Melnik. Built in 1217, it was reconstructed in the late 16th century, though the Turks soon destroyed it. Today’s monastery, mostly built between 1732 and the late 18th century, has undergone
Strandzha Nature Park
In Bulgaria’s southeastern corner is the remote Strandzha Nature Park, established in 1995. The 1161 sq km of rolling hills protect the country’s most diverse vegetation, including vast forests of oak and beech, as well as 40 species of fish, 134 breeding bird species, 65 species o
Dryanovo Monastery
Originally dating from the 12th century, this monastery lies tucked beneath limestone cliffs about 6km from Dryanovo village. It was alternately destroyed by the Turks and rebuilt by Bulgarians over a 500-year period. Like many other monasteries, it provided sanctuary to the revolu
Troyan Monastery
Only 10km southeast of Troyan is Bulgaria’s third-largest monastery, after Rila and Bachkovo. Troyan Monastery boasts powerful and searching frescoes, painted by Zahari Zograf, the leading mural artist of the Bulgarian National Revival period. One of the highlights in the area arou
Bachkovo Monastery
About 30km south of Plovdiv, the magnificent Bachkovo Monastery was founded in 1083 by Georgian brothers Gregory and Abasius Bakuriani, aristocrats in Byzantine military service. The monastery flourished during the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1396) but was ransacked by Turks in t
Aleksander Nevski Church
One of the symbols not just of Sofia but of Bulgaria itself, this massive, awe-inspiring church was built between 1882 and 1912 in memory of the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria’s independence during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78).
Sveta Sofia Church
No visitor can help but be impressed by the ruins of the Sveta Sofia Church. Dating back to the 5th century, this vast, three-nave basilica was rebuilt in the 9th century as part of a huge complex that encompassed the bishop’s palace. Today the ruins form the centrepiece of a busy
Roman Amphitheatre
Plovdiv’s magnificent 2nd-century-AD amphitheatre, built during the reign of Emperor Trajan, was only uncovered during a freak landslide in 1972. It once held about 6000 spectators. Now largely restored, its one of Bulgarias most magical venues, once again hosting large-scale speci
Tsarevets Fortress
The inescapable symbol of Veliko Târnovo, this reconstructed fortress dominates the skyline, and is one of Bulgaria’s most beloved monuments. The former seat of the medieval tsars, it boasts the remains of more than 400 houses, 18 churches, the royal palace, an execution rock and m
Doing business & staying in touch while in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Doing business & staying in touch
Bulgaria Weather, Climate and Geography
Bulgaria Weather, climate and geography
Bulgaria History, Language and Culture
Bulgaria History, Language and Culture
Bulgaria Travel Guide and Travel Information
Bulgaria Travel Guide
