Heritage tours

"Much of Bulgaria is like an open-air museum of Balkan culture."

Rough Guide ' 08

Bulgaria is a combination of historical sites, bustling local markets, and all the conveniences of modern cities, including good restaurants, hotels, and shopping. The country entered a period of transition in 1989 that is still going on. Signs of enterprise and initiative erupt everywhere and the contrast between old way of living and new standards is quite amazing. A stroll through Bulgaria also reveals traces of Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Goths, Byzantines, Turks and Bulgarians.

Culturally, Bulgaria (part of The Ancient Thrace), as one of the first Christian nations, has a very proud heritage. This is reflected in the atmospheric old monasteries and churches - many have valuable frescoes. The monasteries and churches of Bulgaria are still waiting to be discovered by mass tourism and are real gems. Some are decayed and have preserved the spirit of their time, some are recently renovated, and all of them contain exquisite frescoes and are lovingly cared for by the locals.

Small Bulgaria has many treasures enjoying UNESCO World Heritage Protection, including:

- Madara Horseman - the only rock relief from the medieval times in Europe;

- Kazanluk and Sveshtari Thracian Tombs - Thracian sacred shrines from the 4th to the 3rd century BC;

- Rila Monastery - the biggest Orthodox sanctuary in the Balkans dating back to 10th century;

- Boyana Church - a holy place near Sofia housing justly famed medieval frescoes;

- Ivanovo Rock Churches - inhabited until the 17th century monastic cells high above the ground dug out in limestone cliffs;

- The ancient Nesebar - a well preserved ancient town on the Black Sea coast;

- Bayuvi Dupki-Dzhindzhiritsa Reserve (part of the Pirin National Park) - a massif ringed by karstic cirques and peaks over 2800m tall renown for its endemic biodiversity and exquisite nature;

- Sreburna Lake - reserve with unique bird species.