Sozopol – Your Next Family Destination
Sozopol is perhaps the most ancient settlement on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and has a unique location. It is situated on a scenic rocky peninsula in the southern part of Bourgas Bay and is one of the most popular resort towns on the southern coast. Once a small fishing village, today the city is a well developed and popular tourist center. In summer there are thousands of tourists flocking from Bulgaria and abroad, and besides the restaurants, cozy cafes, lively nightclubs and shops, they can enjoy the typical architecture of Sozopol houses and its magnificent beaches.
Sozopol was established as a Greek colony known as Apollonia (610 BC.), named in honor of the god Apollo. In the V century BC the town was renamed to Sozopolis – city of salvation- (that’s the meaning of the word Apollo in Greek).
In the Middle Ages Sozopol was a bustling commercial town which reached its best in the late XVIII and early XIX century.
The modern town of Sozopol is divided into an old and new part. In the old town there are more than 80 old houses of great architectural value, clustered among the cobbled streets and alleys.
Also within the old part are located the archaeological museum with rich collection of pottery and stone obelisks, reliefs, coins and amphorae; Virgin Mary Church (XVII century); the old cemetery; as well as the remains of the ancient fortress. There is a monastery from the XIII century on the small island of St. John.
Having a walk in the old town of Sozopol, you can stand on both sides of the peninsula which provide picturesque views. On one side you can see the islands of St. John, St. Peter and St.Kirik. You can reach St.John by boat, or a walk along the panoramic south promenade will take you to the many small restaurants and cafes, revealing wonderful views from the bay and the new city. You will find plenty of restaurants serving different meals of local mussels, fish and seafood.
Sozopol smells like romance spirit. It smells of the sea waves and oil paints. Sozopol is a town of artists, musicians, actors and architects. This is one of Bulgaria’s seaside resorts, which offers the most diverse entertainment programs to its guests. In early September each year, the city becomes a sort of cultural capital of Bulgaria. At that time of the year the city hosts the popular Apollonia Festival of Arts, named after the god of poetry and music, Apollo.
In addition to the historic buildings, galleries, museums and various cultural monuments in Sozopol you can also see the restoration of the fortified wall with towers of the ancient city.
If you choose to stay in Bulgaria, and south of the Balkan range, Sozopol is a favorite place for family recreation. It is suitable for vacationing from May to late September, and throughout the season there are plenty of cultural events to enjoy and take part in. It might be a small town but you will find plenty of Sozopol holiday villas and apartments for rent to choose from.
Sozopol is one of the hundred national tourist sites and attracts tourists from all over the world.
Among the main sights of Sozopol are the architectural and archaeological reserve Ancient Sozopol (the Old Town), consisting of approximately 180 buildings of the Revival period as well as Bakarlaka or copper ridge which is a nice secluded spot where a magnificent view of the bay are revealed, and is known for its Thracian fortifications on Atia peak.
Sozopol’s Sea Garden does is famous for its many necropolis, such as those in the areas of Harmanite ,Budjaka and Kalfata. The church of St. Virgin of the XV century, which is a UNESCO site is unique in terms of architecture and construction.
Sozopol wouldn’t be the same without the island of St. John – the biggest Bulgarian Black Sea island. Remarkable is the bronze statue of Apollo dating back from the VII century BC. The nearby island of St. Peter, just like St. John is a natural reserve and a home to dozens of endangered species.
And if you like camping in the immediate vicinity of the island you will find several camping sites popular among fans this form of tourism.
Sozopol will certainly charm and enchant you. It is a great mix of climate, location and natural beauty. Surrounded by woods, perched on rocks, Sozopol is the pearl of the Black Sea. Ancient and modern, elegant and inspiring, peaceful and full of life – this is Sozopol today.
The author is an owner of website that shows villas for rent Bourgas it is a good spot to start if you are considering to see in Bulgaria, if you are intrested in other holiday rental in Bourgas havens please go over to the site
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