The town of Sozopol, famous Bulgarian Black sea resort, is situated in the southernmost part of Bourgas bay, just 34 km. away from Bourgas. It is disposed on a scenic rocky peninsula, connected with the mainland with a strip of land, one hundred meters long. It is one of the most charming places on the Black sea coast, one of Bulgaria's crown jewels. Sozopol belongs to the climatic zone of southern Black sea. Typical for this part of the country is temperate continental climate with Mediterranean influence. Average air temperature in the summer is about 28°C, water temperature - 25°C. There are more than 240 hours of sunshine in May and September and more than 300 hours in July and August.
     

History

     The territory of Sozopol has been inhabited since the most ancient times and possesses unique natural conditions and rich cultural heritage, left by civilizations dwelling this place in different historic period.
     The beginning of the region's settlement is considered to be in the last quarter of the fifth millennium B.C. This dating refers to the earliest possible civilizations, which existed for about 400 years. Afterthat as a result of climatic anomalies and warming, global ecological crisis arose in 4200-4100 B.C. The coast's settlement appeared again with the setting of favourable climatic conditions.
     Sozopol is one of the earliest towns on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, dating from 2 610 years before now. The archaeological findings testify that the Thracians are its first inhabitants. In 620 B.C. immigrants from the rich city of Milet - the largest South Greek centre on the Asia Minor coast - turned the old Thracian settlement into a rich Hellene colony - the independent city-state Apollonia-Pontica. Its strategic position gave it the opportunity of holding the ways to the coast of Black Sea (rich in raw materials), Thrace and the Stranja Mountain and strengthened its position as active intermediary part in the commerce among the Athenian sea unions, the Hellenistic states in the Mediterranean area and the Thracian formations. Culture and art thrived, temples and public buildings were built, exquisite sculptures in the classical style of the ancient Greek art were designed. Artefacts were made from gold, silver, bronze and marble, coins were minted.

     Sozopol was especially renowned in antiquity for the temple of Apollo the Healer, whose bronze statue, 13 m high, was a work of the Athenian sculptor Calamis. In 72 B.C. the punitive march of the Roman legions of Marcus Luculus against Apollonia, which was an ally to Mitridat ²V against Rome, completely destroyed the town's fortress wall, Apollo's temple and many other buildings. Only as late as the beginning of c.4, with the great political and ethnic changes in the Roman empire and the growth of Constantinople's in its eastern part, Apollonia regained its former significance. This is the source of the town's new name - Sozopolis, the town of salvation.
     Sozopol resisted the barbarian invasions in the period from c.3 to c.7 A.D., it was annexed to Bulgaria's territory in 812 by Khan Kroum, and afterthat was continually conquered by Byzantium and regained from it (972-1366). In c.13 it was an important harbour centre, a mediator in the international commerce, an episcopal and metropolitan's seat. The monastery "Sveti Yoan Predtecha" (St. John the Forerunner) on the Sveti Ivan isle was a spiritual and literary centre not only on local and national, but also on international level.After the fall of Sozopol under Ottoman oppression in 1453 it gradually declined and turned into a poor fishermen's and wine-producers' settlement. It recovered in the years before the National Liberation in 1878 and especially afterthat because of the exclusive hardiness and vitality of its population.
     Everything in Sozopol today is sunny, bright and attractive - starting with the cobblestone lanes and old houses with strings of fish handing from the roof, and ending the southern drawl of the fishermen who fondly call their white boats "ships". Today Sozopol combines the ancient and the modern times, and its architecture successfully joins the old town to the new one. Its splendid beauty and artistic atmosphere attract many tourists from all over the world.
     

Places of Interest

     The sights of Sozopol are many and none of them can be separated from the rest since all of them impact the visitors as an attractive ensemble.
     In Sozopol there are splendid Christian monuments. The Church of the Holy Virgin dates back to the 18th C., while its altar section - to the 16th C. It is partially dug into the ground, three-nave, with impressive interior; an iconostasis (1781) with luxuriant woodcarved decoration. Two of the icons (18th C.) in the church would prove of greatest interest: "Jesus Christ" and "Holy Virgin". St. George Church, with a woodcarved iconostasis and valuable icons, dates back to the 19th C. Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, built by famous master Gencho Kunev, also dates back to 19th C. A museum exposition entitled "Sea Culture on the Bulgarian Lands" has been arranged here. St. Zosim chapel dates back to the 19th C. One of the oldest icons of Bulgaria - "St. George" and "St. Demetrius on Horseback", can be seen in Sozopol.
     The houses of Dimitur Laskaridis, who used to be a fish trader (built in the 17th century, and now hosting an art gallery), Ana Trendafilova, Kourtidis, Una Psarianova (now redesigned into a restaurant, Stenata Restaurant), Grandmother Koukoulissa Hadzhinikolova (today housing the office of Sturshel Newspaper), Metropoliev (a medical centre at present), Kreanoolu, are only a few of the more than 45 architectural monuments of Sozopol. Sozopol's housing architecture from the National Revival period closely resembles that of Nessebur. It falls into the category of the so-called "Black Sea house" featuring stone-walled basements, wooden staircases leading up to the living quarters, a wooden scaffolding, jutting eaves, and exterior wood paneling to protect the building from the salty sea air.
     The ancient atmosphere of the town is further fed by cobbled streets and high fences in front of which the old women sit and chat, knit laces and sell jams. Curiously, one can still hear Greek speech among natives, particularly in the old town. Interesting places to visit are the Archaeological Museum and the Art Gallery. In Archaeological Museum halls wonderful collection of decorated Greek ceramic, stone anchors, amphorae, coins and other masterpieces of ancient art are exhibited.

     At the beginning of September each year the town hosts the big Apolonia International Art Festival, which attracts artists and art lovers from all over the country and abroad. Apolonia Art Festival is the first attempt for cultural tourism in Bulgaria - and still one of the best choices for that kind of experience. The festival programme is rich in events, including international theatre performances, jazz and fashion shows, chamber music and book premieres.
     

Surrounding areas

     The isle of St. Ivan is situated just 2km away from the old town in northern direction. St. Ivan is the biggest Black Sea isle in Bulgarian territorial waters. The isle shelters a sonar lighthouse, which together with the lighthouse on the Emine cape shows the way to the Bourgas Bay. Once upon a time, the isle hosted a monastery called the Holy Virgin, which was later renamed into St. Ivan Prodromos
     Outside Sozopol, there are a number of fjord-like formations to the south. The coast here is particularly high and jagged by the incoming waves. There are numerous secluded caves as well. Some 20 km to the south is the mouth of the Ropotamo River, which is declared a natural reserve. The Duni Resort is situated 12 km north of Primorsko and was completed in 1987 as a Bulgarian-Austrian project. It offers lots of hotels, villas and bungalows. The Alepou Beach and Arkoutino Beach just next to the resort in southern direction are wild and beautiful places where the sea is traditionally rough. Cape Maslen is situated just after the mouth of the Roporamo River. Its rocky profile and steep slope down to the sea offer a great view to tourists on top of it. Beneath the cape, one can see small and quiet coves among the fiords, covered with pebbles and seashells. Further southwards is the Perla Camping located in one of the most beautiful bays along the Black Sea coast. Here the beach gradally turns into a green grove. Nearby is the marsh of Stomoplo. Two natural reserves cover this area - Vodna Lilia (water lily) and Velyov Vir. Via Pontica - the way of migrating birds flying to the south passes through here. Every year at the end of the summer thousands of storks, pelicans, and about 30 species of birds of prey gather in the area before they head southwards to spend the winter.

     The natural characteristics of Sozopol predetermine an opportunity for recreational tourism using the suitable beach strip and the sea water. The beach strip is wide and covered with aureate sands, tourists can rent lounges and sunshades, children can enjoy a water slide. The main beaches are:
     Central beach: Located between the Old and the New town of Sozopol. Easily reached, so gets too many people during July and August. Could be impossible to find place to stay, if you go later in the day. The beach is narrow. Entering the beach is free of charge.
     Harmani beach: Located in the New town of Sozopol. This beach is wider and longer than the Central beach, so it is a better option during the busy months of July and August. A big number of small restaurants and places to eat and drink are located nearby this beach.Entering the beach is free of charge.
     Gold Fish beach (3 km north from Sozopol): Not far from Sozopol, on the road to Bourgas. This is actually the beach of a camping called Gold Fish, mostly visited by surfers. The beach is long and wide enough, and quite calm comparing to the other beaches around.
     

Transport

     In the region of Sozopol are developed the bus, the taxi and the sea transport. The transport services are performed chiefly by Bourgas firms. Private carriers perform transportation of passengers with cars and minibuses. There is public transport to all the settlements of the municipality and the transport servicing of the population is good as a whole. Bourgas international airport is only 34 km away. Roads are wide and well maintained.
     

Port services

     Port Sozopol is used for passenger transportation, tours and cargo shipment. There are seven ship places and a harbour station with a checkpoint. Moreover Sozopol offers yacht harbours and quays for fishing boats in the town of Sozopol. You can also take boat trips to the village of Chernomorets, the Atia Bay, or to the famous resort Dyouni.
     

Catering

     Judging by occupancy rates, tourists seem to rate best most of the small coastal restaurants and private pubs both in the old and new part of the town. Stalls for fish, pizza places, and snack-bars scattered all over the camping sites are also popular among visitors. Among the most attractive places are Vyaturnata Melnitsa, Sozopol Tavern, Athens Tavern, the restaurants Xantana, Neptun, Drouzhba Fishing Boat, Orpheus, Olymp, Stenata, Kladentsa, Lilia. Some of these are very interesting as they are built over ancient remains after detailed archaeological research and restorations. Such an example is the Stenata Restaurant, the basement of which was used as a grain warehouse far back in time while the Kladenetsa Restaurant was built over a spring, which used to supply the town with drinking water via water pipes. There are a lot of groceries and marketplaces. One could buy fish directly from fishermen at the quay.
     Sozopol is touristic town with all modern commodities. Internet access is widely available in the new town Internet cafes on the main street work 24 hours a day. There are local medical and dental services which can be used by tourists and visitors against medical insurance valid for Bulgaria.

     Town of Sozopol is a national and international holiday center attracting tourists from Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and France.
     

Pictures from Sozopol