& the Balkans Travel Guide ~ Landmarks ~ Cultural Tours ~ Travel Tips
Plovdiv Explore Plovdiv – the second largest town of Bulgaria and one of the oldest in Europe. In the 1st millennium BC the Thracians founded a fortified settlement, Eumolpias, captured in 342 BC by Philip II (father of Alexander the Great). Lucian the Greek called it ‘the biggest and most beautiful of all towns in …
Varna Varna, the Black Sea capital of Bulgaria and one of the most significant ports and commercial centres on the Black Sea, was founded during the 6th century BC under the name of Odessos. The Cathedral of the Assumption (1884-1886) – second in scale after St Alexander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia. Modern Byzantine architecture, spacious …
Veliko Turnovo Veliko Turnovo, the ancient capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1187-1393), when it became a significant political, economic, trade and cultural centre in Europe. It is the Turnovo Literary and Painting School that has given the world Manasses’ Chronicle and King Ivan Alexandre’s Four Gospels (the London Gospel), one of the most valuable …
Rousse Rousse is the largest Bulgarian port on the Danube river, with the glory of the most European of Bulgarian cities. Founded as Sexsaginta Prista (fleet station of sixty ships) by the Romans in 69, it has a major role in the formation of the Bulgarian identity during the centuries. Rousse played an important role …
Shoumen Shoumen’s past is connected with the establishment (681) and development of the Bulgarian state. Among its leading centres of cultural and religious activity Shumen has had a busy life. The Shoumen fortress, built from early Antiquity to late Middle Ages, has lasted for more than 3,200 years. Thracians, Romans, Byzantines and Bulgarians raised their …