Nessebar old town attractions. Nessebar - history, attractions, prices. Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

I first heard about Nessebar from Dmitry Krylov’s program “Unlucky Notes”. There the city was presented in such a romantic manner, with beautiful old streets, where quite by chance you can hear from the window of the house how the mysterious maestro plays Yesterday. I'm not a particularly romantic person, but his delicious story won me over. And so, when the opportunity arose, I decided to relax in Bulgaria, settling near this city.

Our acquaintance with Nessebar began with the fact that we drove through the modern buildings of New Nessebar and found ourselves in front of a road leading across the sea to the island on which, in fact, Old Nessebar is located.

On the way to it there is a windmill. Nothing special, but a couple good photos can be done. The city itself begins with the remains of a gate and part of the wall of an ancient fortress. I won’t say that I’ve seen many fortresses, but this one didn’t impress me. Maybe the perception was spoiled by the children who climbed the ruins like monkeys.

Walking inside through the main gate, we find ourselves on Mesembria Street. This is the main street of the city, with shops, currency exchange, souvenir shops and so on. However, the whole city is a continuous market.

Every house in Nessebar is a small trading shop. They sell mainly souvenirs, antiques, paintings, and clothes. People gather near almost every such bench, sometimes obstructing the passage, since the streets are not wide.

And then I thought, how did Dmitry Krylov photograph this city without crowds of people? On a normal day, it is impossible to hear a piano from the open window, only a hum, a din - like in a market.

But if we ignore all this, Nessebar is quite a pleasant city with its own rich history and architecture. Unusual old houses of the southern type, where the lower floor is built of stone and the upper floor of wood, create their own flavor.

Residents usually decorate their windows with all kinds of flowers, this is very pleasing to the eye. Some of the streets are paved, while others have old paving stones. Places with smooth surfaces are convenient for mothers with strollers to walk and people with disabilities to move around. disabilities.

The streets are windy, since the city is on an island, and walking along it is not as hot as, for example, in the center of Burgas. And if you get tired from walking, you can stop by one of the cafes, have a delicious meal and take a breath.

How to get there

First of all, you need to get to the largest transport hub in Bulgaria. You can get to it from Moscow by plane or by railway. Prices vary depending on the method, season and transport company. From Burgas to Nessebar you can travel by regular bus or by taxi.

By plane

Regular flights fly to Burgas (Sarafovo) airport from Moscow and St. Petersburg. It is better to buy tickets in advance. If you take care of this 2-3 months before your departure date, you can save up to half the cost.

On average, the price of a flight from Moscow, if you buy a ticket a week before departure, is 350 € or (25 thousand rubles), from Northern capital 28 € (2 thousand rubles) more expensive. Serves flights of Siberia and Aeroflot airlines. You can see how much air tickets will cost for the dates you are interested in.

From Burgas Airport you can get to Nessebar by bus number 10. At the entrance to the airport there is a bus stop “Koltsevaya”. That's what you need to find. You will have to wait for the bus from 40 minutes to an hour, the fare is approximately 3.5 € (6 BGN - Bulgarian levs). Travel time is about an hour, possibly less, it all depends on traffic jams.

There are several stops in Nessebar, tourists “nest” near each of them. They are located near hotels, a water park and, in fact, the Old Town itself. You can get to any place from the stop on foot or by taxi for 3–6 €.

By train

There is no direct train connection with Nessebar. According to the old scheme, you need to get to Burgas.

There is only one train running from Moscow to Burgas, Bulgaria. This is a trailer car - Burgas, number 059M. Moves away from Kievsky railway station at 9:30 am, arrives every other day at 10:45 am. In total it takes 2 days and 2 hours. It is necessary to cross several border points - naturally, since Ukraine and Russia are located between Russia and Bulgaria.

In connection with the events in Ukraine, I would not risk traveling by train. And the mileage is quite large - almost 2.2 thousand kilometers, to this you need to add stops at all border sections, each of which lasts about an hour. So it is not surprising that the train travels so long.

Next with railway station We walk to the Yug bus station. It is located near the central railway station in the southern part of the city: at the end of the pedestrian street Aleksandrovskaya, on Queen Joanna Square, popularly known as Station Square.

Buses run from the bus station to Nessebar every 30 minutes. The fare is 1.25 €, 40 minutes on the road, and you are there.

By car

You can get from Burgas to Nessebar by car along the E87 highway. Having a map (and there are maps in every smartphone now) makes it difficult to get lost.

The road is good, along the coast. The main thing is not to drive past the turn to Nessebar.

Clue:

Nessebar - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season? When is the best time to go

The season is about the same as ours Black Sea resorts: from June to the end of September. At the beginning of the season it can still be rainy and cool. The sea warms up well by the second decade of June.

In July, temperatures often rise above +30 °C. As for me, the sun is very aggressive, it is better to stock up on creams with a good degree of protection and do not forget about hats. There are winds at sea this month that bring algae.

By mid-August it is no longer so hot and the sea is very warm. Velvet season, it’s in Bulgaria too the Velvet season.

Fruits and vegetables are sold in markets, bars and restaurants all 4 months. Particularly delicious are tomatoes, peppers and peaches.

The cost of fruit rises from June to July, the difference can be one and a half times. By August, the influx of tourists decreases, and with it prices.

If you are interested not only in a beach holiday, then September - best month to see all the sights without the crowds of tourists. And you can buy souvenirs for nothing.

In terms of prices, I want to say that you can find housing for 30 € per day - these are small studio apartments in residential buildings. In season average price rooms in a 3 or 4 star hotel will be around 60–70 € per night.

Hostels in Nessebar, as far as I know, are the same 1 or 2 star hotels, they just accommodate 3-4 people per room. It will cost from 15 € per person. But still, more often than not, travelers who did not come on a tour package try to rent apartments or studios.

I prefer to search for hotels and inns on, but here is a link where you can compare prices from different sites.

What are the prices for holidays?

I have already spoken about housing prices. I'll tell you about other prices. They are very democratic, especially when compared with other European countries:

• The average check in a cafe or bar during the season per person is 8–10 € (15–20 BGN). For this money you will get a salad, hot meat dish and a drink.
• Excursions type boat trip- from 15 € (25 BGN), tickets to museums - from 2 € (4 BGN), bus tour will cost from 10 to 50 € (20–100 BGN) depending on the direction.
• Taxi prices are steep - 1.5 € (3 BGN) per kilometer. Usually, each car has a price list attached to the window, and people drive according to the meter. But some cunning drivers have their meters spinning faster than their wheels. It is much more profitable to rent a car or use public transport, which runs on a schedule.
• Public transport within the city costs 1 € (2 BGN).

Main attractions. What to see

Nessebar itself is a museum city, taken under the protection of UNESCO, and this already says a lot.

Lovers of antiquity and history will definitely not be bored here, as well as photographers, artists and creative people. The old town immerses tourists in its atmosphere. The atmosphere is not the same as in the old cities of other countries, with a special Balkan flavor.

What to see:

• Archaeological Museum - lovers of ancient amphorae and gold jewelry.
• Medieval churches- perhaps the main highlight of the city with almost three thousand years of history.
• Wooden houses from the Bulgarian Revival period, built at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 19th centuries.
• Ancient amphitheater, in the summer, concerts of Bulgarian music and dance are held on its stage.
• ATo Paradise Vapark, the largest in the Balkans. Almost 46 hectares of unbridled fun on all kinds of slides, swimming pools and aqua bars in the New Town.

• - one of the most famous resorts Bulgaria, located three kilometers from Nessebar. There you can find all the entertainment that was missing in Nessebar, including club nightlife :).

Beaches. Which ones are better

In the city

"Southern"

Beach between Nessebar and the village of Rada.

“Yuzhny” is worth a visit if only because of the “ Blue Flag" Let me remind you that this is an international award given to beaches and piers whose water meets high standards and is suitable for safe swimming.

The beach has all the infrastructure: umbrellas, sun loungers, lifeguards, cafes, etc. Part of the beach is conditionally paid, that is, you will have to pay for a sun lounger or a drink.

A leisurely walk to the beach from the outskirts of Old and New Nessebar takes about 35 minutes. Offhand it is about 3 kilometers. Buses No. 3, 7 and 11 go to Yuzhny.

In the country

Beaches Sunny Beach

Sunny Beach is famous throughout Europe - 8 kilometers of golden sand, a gentle slope into the sea and a lot of entertainment from diving to horse riding.

The beaches of Sunny Beach can be reached, as I said earlier, on foot or by taxi.

Beaches of Pomorie

I can also recommend the Vostochny beach and the so-called beach on the spit of the town of Pomorie. Interestingly, the color of the sand on them is black.

“Vostochny” is a beach with all the necessary infrastructure. The most expensive places under wicker awnings will cost 25 € per day, you can easily accommodate four people there.

And the beach on the spit is wild. They say that if you walk a little further, you can wander onto a nudist beach. I haven't gone that far myself.

The beaches are relatively close. You can get to them by car in 20–30 minutes or by regular bus (for example, No. 11).

You can find out more about the beaches of Pomorie and Sunny Beach in another article.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

As I wrote earlier, the most interesting thing in Nessebar is its medieval temples. You can walk around them in one day. Most likely you will see them all when you walk along the streets of the city.

The rest of the temples are also unusual and very beautiful: the Church of St. John Aliturgitos, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of St. Stephen and others. More details can be found on site.

Some churches have an entrance fee of 1.5 € (3 BGN). There are very annoying sellers of some beads and strings for hands wandering around others. If you are lazy, they will tie such a string around your hand and demand about 3 € (6 BGN).

You can book a tour or join tourist group and find out all the details about each of the temples. And there are plenty of interesting things: these are churches without liturgy, buildings that miraculously survived earthquakes, ancient frescoes, as well as stories of miraculous healings.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

In Nessebar, as far as I know, there is one museum - the Archaeological Museum. To be honest, I wasn’t there, and I can’t say whether it’s good or bad. The most valuable exhibits are in the Burgas Archaeological Museum. I think history buffs should go there.

What to see in the area

Sozopol

A beautiful ancient city with a rich history. The first settlements date back to the 3rd–4th centuries BC. e. The city was influenced by Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman cultures.

It is somewhat similar to Nessebar in architecture. Wooden houses from the 17th–19th centuries have survived to this day. All Orthodox medieval churches were partially or completely destroyed by the Turks. Interesting fact: During the Ottoman yoke, Christians were allowed to build churches no taller than a rider on a horse. Therefore, the Church of the Holy Virgin looks like an ordinary one-story house.

Near the city walls there is a so-called vampire cemetery. During excavations near the city wall, a burial was found - about 70 bodies, some of them pierced with stakes. Not a single gravestone inscription was found in the excavation area.

It is difficult to say what prompted contemporaries to recognize the people buried in Sozopol as vampires. No artifacts indicating the identity or status of the deceased were found at the site.

Seaside Park

I really liked it and recommend everyone to visit the Seaside Park of Burgas. In the 2000s, it was reconstructed, a lot of money was invested in this matter, and now it is rightfully considered the most beautiful park in Bulgaria. You can spend the whole day there, and, again, there is a gorgeous beach nearby.

In Burgas there is also a large Archaeological Museum, Aleksendrovsk boutique street, the ruins of the Rusokastro fortress, the archaeological complex Akva Kalide... In general, it deserves a separate story.

Monastery of St. George

I advise all Orthodox believers to visit the monastery of St. George in the town of Pomorie. The holy spring located at the monastery and Orthodox prayer once helped the Turk Selim Bey to recover from an incurable illness. In gratitude, he donated these lands to the monks and allowed them to found a monastery there. Today you can stay there in cells for pilgrims for a nominal fee.

Unfortunately, there is nothing to see in Pomorie except the monastery. Its historical part was destroyed and went under water as a result of the earthquake.

Food. What to try

Bulgarian cuisine is understandable and close to Russian people. Many dishes have something in common with Russian and Ukrainian ones. I talked about all the dishes in more detail in a separate article. Read it, try it... I recommend it!

I also want to note that in Bulgaria there are very large portions on very large plates. Calculate your strength. Personally, I could never finish the first, second and salad. Let me remind you that the average bill for all this gluttony is 10 €, or even less if you don’t eat in tourist places. In bars and restaurants in the Old Town of Nessebar, prices are 30 percent higher.

There are markets in every city. But there are only vegetables and fruits.
There are no meat rows. Meat can be bought in special stores, they are called mesarnitsa. By the way, they are almost always sterile clean, because the meat is not chopped there. It is sawed with a special hacksaw. A set of such hacksaws usually hangs on the wall.

I want to tell you about one place, the Emona restaurant.

It is located on a cliff with an amazing view of the sea. A fresh sea breeze blows. All the fuss disappears resort town, thoughts fly away somewhere far, far away. When you look at the sea horizon, one word comes to mind - serenity. This view is complemented by seagulls that fly so close that it seems like you can reach out and catch one of them.

Courteous staff who speak Russian tolerably well; the menu will also be offered in their native language. The food is very tasty, the menu is varied.

Prices are 15-20% higher than in a regular bar. The most expensive dishes are lobster for 90 € and lamb on a spit, but it must be ordered a day in advance, the dish is designed for a company of 8 people.

I haven’t tried the lobster or the lamb, but I can say that the kebab, baked potatoes and charcoal fish are to die for.

You can grab a quick bite on every street; there are inexpensive cafes and pizzerias.

Holidays

Throughout the season, some kind of festivals are held in Nessebar, celebrating the beginning of summer, mid-summer, harvest and, of course, celebrating religious holidays. City Day is celebrated in August. Those who like to immerse themselves in another culture, who love songs, dances, and folk costumes, will find it interesting.

One of the main holidays in the country is the Day of the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke. Celebrated widely throughout the country on March 3.

The Bulgarians remember thanks to whom they got rid of the yoke, and are very grateful to the Russian people for this.

Safety. What to watch out for

I can say that at home “in the area” I feel more dangerous than in resort places Bulgaria.

I'll tell you an interesting case. We stood on the embankment near the beach at night, admiring the scenery. A group of Bulgarian teenagers came ashore. “Well, that’s it,” I thought, “now there will be noise, screams, laughing.” But nothing disturbed the silence of the July night. The youth behaved as in the theater: quietly, decently. It seems like a small thing, but it’s ingrained in my memory.

Things to do

In Nessebar itself, except beach holiday and sightseeing, nothing to do. A variety of excursions offered by local travel companies (from 10 € and above) and the cheapness of car rental (more on this later) seem to hint: “Take the car you like, discover Bulgaria for yourself...”.

Clubs and nightlife

On vacation, you should definitely have fun at least once in a nightclub. There are plenty of them in Nessebar. Among the best are clubs such as Captain Jack's Night Club and Bedroom Beach.

Captain Jack's Club is housed in a sailboat, which is decorated as Pirates' ship. It is moored to the shore in the east South Beach. Bedroom Beach is a rather original establishment; the club is designed as a bedroom on the beach. It has several seating areas, a dance floor and a bar.

A very famous club in the center of the resort that stands out among many is Mania. Three floors, designed for 800 people, with a cocktail bar, disco and folk club.

I recommend it to those who are interested in club life and want to keep abreast of all events. There are club addresses, theme party schedules and prices.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

A driver's license and international passport are sufficient documents. The price of gasoline fluctuates around 1 € per liter.

We rented a small SUV for 45 €. There are no complaints about the car - a clean, well-kept interior, nothing knocking or rattling.

I almost forgot to say. If you go by car to the Old Town, be sure to leave it in the parking lot. It won't be difficult to find it, there are signs everywhere. Otherwise, the car will be taken to the impound lot, they are strict with this matter.

If this happens, and the car was rented, it is better to call Rent-A-Car, explain the situation, and find out where the car was taken from. They will tell you where to look for it, and perhaps they will pick it up themselves for an additional fee.

Nessebar - holidays with children

The first thing I noticed at Burgas airport was the number of children per square meter. In this way it is very similar to Anapa airport.

Parents with children choose a holiday in Nessebar and Golden Sands for many reasons. This includes a mild climate, a gentle slope into the sea and a safe bottom, vacation prices are lower, and the service is better than at resorts Krasnodar region.

Almost every hotel has an animator and children's corners, as well as shallow pools. Children love it in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian city of Nessebar is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, which was founded three thousand years ago. The city is included in the list of world heritage sites: in 1983, UNESCO took it under its auspices, and since 1956, Nessebar has held the title of city-museum. Many tourists come here every year. This is not surprising, because in Nessebar, as in other cities, you can see it everywhere. Nessebar (Bulgaria) is located next to Sunny Beach, a resort on a small picturesque peninsula.

The city today is inhabited by about ten thousand inhabitants. The streets are filled with cozy fish restaurants, souvenir shops, and small bazaars where they sell a variety of figurines, figurines, leather jewelry, silverware, and clay dishes. Every vacationer will definitely find something to see in Nessebar!

Old Nessebar

Conventionally, this ancient Bulgarian city is divided into two parts: Old and New Nessebar. The old city is located on a peninsula, and it is connected to the mainland by a long and narrow ten-meter isthmus. When there is a storm at sea, it is not an obstacle to the waves.

This city was founded by the Megarian and Calchedonian tribes at the end of the 2nd century BC. In those times locality was called Menebria. Because of advantageous position power here changed frequently until 811, when Menebria became the property of the Bulgarian Khan Krum. Ruins of towers, gates, fortress walls have been preserved in Nessebar since antiquity, and the entrance to the ancient city is still decorated East Gate, on which pentagonal towers rise.

The main attraction of Nessebar is the church. If in the past there were about four dozen of them, today only a few have survived. The most impressive for tourists is the Church of St. Stephen, erected on the site where the old Episcopal church stood in the past. Like most churches in Bulgaria, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a combination of Orthodox Greek traditions and Slavic architecture. Travelers are delighted by the unique wall paintings, noble red brick, natural stone and ceramic rosettes. The Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael are built in a similar architectural style.

Some ancient temples today work as museums for numerous tourists. And the currently operating Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God, in which the miraculous icon is kept, is filled with believers on the eve of the Feast of the Virgin Mary. People spend the whole night at the icon, believing in healing.

The fact that the Ottoman Empire also left its mark in Nessebar is today reminded by the Turkish baths and the fountain, and the Thracians and Greeks gave their descendants examples of art - amphoras, jewelry, frescoes, coins, icons and other valuables.

New Nessebar

New town radically different from the Old one. These are wide streets with multi-story residential buildings, modern hotels and high-rise buildings. There are a variety of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues– everything that vacationers might need on vacation.

Both adults and children will definitely appreciate the variety water slides, attractions and other entertainment that a visit to Action Park in Nessebar provides. In this water park, located on the territory of the Sunny Beach resort, everyone will find entertainment to their liking. And parking lots, restaurants, cafeterias located on the territory of the water park make the service impeccable.

Nessebar today is the culture, traditions and way of life of the peoples who previously occupied the territory of the Balkan Peninsula. Each of them left their bright mark on history and contributed to the current appearance of the Old City and its inhabitants.

Since Nessebar became part of the world cultural heritage, genuine interest in it is growing every year. An endless stream of tourists again and again plunges into the atmosphere of antiquity, touches the ancient memory of ruins, and polishes the old cobbled streets with their soles.

Nessebar remembers everything: and early years his Thracian childhood, and his youthful tossing between Byzantium and the Bulgarian kingdom, and the captivity of freedom under the Turkish yoke, and his revival after slavery. In gratitude for your genuine interest and sincere participation in your life, Ancient city gives people an amazing atmosphere of antiquity, romance, eternity.

Early Nessebar: Melsambria

We can definitely say the following: the first mention of Nessebar that has come down to us dates back to the 12th century. BC, the time when the first settlement was founded by the Thracians on the territory of the modern Old City. Its inhabitants were engaged in fishing and farming and called their home Melsambria, which translated means “city of Mels”, after the name of its founder.

The settlement had two piers - one on the northern side of the peninsula, the other on the southwestern side. This is evidenced by the remains of ancient Thracian fishing ships discovered by archaeologists in the last century. Fragments of an ancient fortress wall dating back to the 7th-6th centuries have also been identified. BC, and elements of ceramic utensils.

Greek Colony: Messembria

In the VI century. BC. The first Dorian Greeks appeared on the peninsula - immigrants from Byzantium, Megara, and Chalcedon. Having settled in the territory of the Thracians, they turned their settlement into their colony and began to call it Mesambria or Mesembria. It was the only Dorian colony on the entire Black Sea coast. Accordingly, the Greeks brought their traditions and culture here.

The city was actively developing, gradually turning into a center of vibrant trade. According to some sources, a powerful fortress wall was erected precisely during these years in order to protect the population from attack from the sea. Ancient temples and theaters were erected, ships were built. Very quickly the Greeks mastered metal processing and in the 5th century BC. silver and bronze coins began to be minted, and in the 3rd-2nd centuries. BC. - gold.

Artifacts found as a result of excavations indicate that the Greek colony, at its peak, was a rich cultural and economic center. But, unfortunately, devastating earthquakes plunged the city into the sea and out of 40 hectares of land, only 24 were preserved. The underwater city can still be seen today from a boat in clear, calm weather.

Others historical monuments on land are the acropolis, peristyle and agora, on the site of which it was later built Church of St. Sophia. Amphoras and amphora seals dating from the same period were found in the sea.

Roman domination

In 72 AD. Mesambria was surrendered to the Romans without resistance in order to avoid bloodshed and destruction. After this, the city somewhat lost its position, giving way to a new economic center - Ankhilao (Pomorie). At the same time, Mesambria retained some of its privileges, such as minting its own coins.

Gradually, the city began to decline, as did the entire Balkan Peninsula. But when Constantinople became the new capital of the Roman and then the Byzantine Empire, Black Sea coast reborn under the leadership of the best architects and builders. From those times, elements of water supply and sewerage have been preserved (rebuilt using new technologies).

Bulgarian Kingdom: Nessebar

In the 5th century rivalry arose between Byzantium and the Slavic tribes under the leadership of local princes. Nessebar passed from hand to hand until in 812 the Bulgarian Khan Krum took possession of the city after a two-week siege. Since then the city received the name Nessebar. However, Byzantium continued to lay claim to it until, in 917, as a result of the Battle of Acheloïa, the city finally became the property of the Bulgarian kingdom.

At this time, Nessebar was experiencing its heyday. The Bulgarians built their own temples, trying to surpass the skill of the Byzantine builders. Witnesses to this were the Church of St. Stephen, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel and others. Experiencing cultural flourishing, Nessebar acquired more than 40 churches.

Turkish Yoke: Misivri

From 1366, Nessebar was again under the domination of the Byzantine Empire, until the Turks captured it in 1452. Nessebar fell, and soon Constantinople fell. Dominion Ottoman Empire lasted almost 500 years, and the city began to be called Misivri. Without much ceremony, the invaders destroyed Nessebar and rebuilt it at their own discretion. This is evidenced by the Turkish baths and the Turkish fountain that have survived to this day.

While erecting their mosques everywhere, the Turks did not completely ban Christianity and, fortunately, did not touch the temples in the city. However, they vetoed tall buildings, so during this period the Bulgarians built their churches by burying them in the ground so that the roof was “no taller than the height of a rider on a horse.” A striking example of this is Church of St. Savior.

In general, life in the city during slavery was quite poor. Almost nothing particularly outstanding has survived to this day, since the materials and technologies used were the most primitive and therefore short-lived.

Bulgarian Revival

The Bulgarian national revival dates back to the end of the 18th century, when the struggle for independence from the Turks began. During this period, the Ottomans were noticeably weakening, while Bulgaria, on the contrary, was gaining strength. The first ones appeared printed publications in their native language, reading centers, theaters, schools. The founder of the Bulgarian revival is Paisiy Hilendarski, after whom the main street of the resort is named.

The appearance of the city also changed. It was during this period that houses were built that created the flavor of modern Nessebar. Small courtyards with houses made of a stone base and a second floor protruding above the street and covered with wood. The walls inside are whitewashed, the ceilings are decorated with elaborate carvings, the windows are wide and numerous (except on the ground floor). To have an accurate idea of ​​the external and internal decoration of an ancient house, it is enough to be located in the house of a wealthy merchant.

Liberation and independence: Nessebar

The last military operations in Nessebar took place on July 9-11, 1829, when the Russian fleet and infantry approached it from sea and land. Osman Pasha defended himself, but, unable to withstand the onslaught, surrendered along with two thousand of his soldiers.

Two warships of the Russian fleet were named in honor of the capture of Messembria. And in 1921, the Mesemvriysko-Krasnovskaya Cossack village was created on the territory of the city, uniting Cossacks who emigrated from Russia. The activity of the village lasted for 7 years.

The long-awaited freedom from the Ottomans came to the Bulgarians on March 3, 1878, when the decisive battle took place at the Shipka Pass during the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878. The bloodiest battles took place here, in which more than 2 thousand soldiers died. Since then, on Mount Shipka (Stoletov Peak) there has been a monument to Freedom, to which the routes of many Bulgarian excursions have been laid.

Having gained independence, Nessebar began to live the life of a simple fishing village and only in the 20s of the last century gradually began to develop as a resort. In 1934 he received official name Nessebar. The city did not participate in World War II.

From the middle of the 20th century. Nessebar began to be actively built up, and with the advent of Sunny Beach it acquired the status seaside resort. Restoration work began, the first Archaeological Museum appeared, and in 1956 Nessebar was recognized as a museum city. Later, in 1983, he was listed world heritage UNESCO

Nessebar is one of the oldest cities in Europe - it was founded in the 12-11th centuries BC. It is located 37 km from Burgas. The old city is located on a small peninsula, which is connected to the land by an isthmus of 400 meters. Pretty interesting. If you have never heard of this city, but are going here, then congratulations, an excellent choice. IN resort town, however, there is a lot of interesting things (no wonder when the city is so old!).

Fortress Walls

Once these walls were very high - more than 8 meters. First the Thracian tribes were involved in strengthening the city, then the Greeks also made some adjustments, then the Romans got involved and then the Byzantines. In short, by the Middle Ages Nessebar was already quite protected. The gate was founded in the 8th century BC. And, unfortunately, those ancient buildings did not survive to this day. Perhaps only a plot of one hundred meters on the western side of Nessebar and a little under water. These hundred meters are taken care of with all their might, they are strengthened and will not be allowed to completely crumble. So. These ruins are now one of the main attractions of Nessebar. Look for the walls in the Old City.

Byzantine Baths

Thermal baths were built here during the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian I, that is, somewhere in the middle of the 6th century AD. Construction techniques were borrowed from the Romans and even improved. The spacious rooms of the baths meant that several people could be inside, and the warm water that flowed through the pipes created different temperatures in different rooms of the structure. There were semicircular pools, impressive ceilings, unusually decorated marble columns and marble slabs on the floor. In the main hall they not only washed, but also communicated (as they do today, hehe), so it was supposedly very cozy here - and the hall was covered with a massive dome.

This complex can be visited, however, part of the territory of the thermal baths was built up with modern buildings, so the complex can be considered inferior. Still, be sure to visit this place and admire the ancient walls and colorful masonry. These baths are located in the Old Town.

Windmill

Once upon a time there were dozens of similar structures in the city. Today there are only two left. The mill at the entrance to the Old Town is the most popular. Perhaps you can’t leave the city without taking a photo with this mill. It’s very, very picturesque here, of course. The base of the mill is made of stone, which was collected from the ruins of an ancient Byzantine temple of the 6th century AD on the Black Sea coast. Of course, the mill was built much later, although no one can say how much later. But her appearance says that she has been standing here for a very long time. The mill has three floors: on the first there is a warehouse for bags of flour and grain, on the second there are living quarters for the miller's family, on the third there are millstones, shafts and other tools. The fact that the mill is located on the seashore was very advantageous; strong winds allowed the mill to operate uninterruptedly.

Museum "Ancient Nessebar"

The old town of Nessebar is included in the UNESCO lists due to its examples of well-preserved ancient architecture. That is, the city center is almost a museum under open air. There are so many important sights here! Excavations carried out on the territory more than once made it possible to discover the most important finds that were transferred to Archaeological Museum.
It was founded in 1956. The entrance ticket costs about 4 leva. This museum can be visited from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The museum's collections will tell you about the rich and interesting story ancient Messambria, which became Nessebar. Visit and Ethnographical museum, which is located in an ancient building, which can also be called a landmark.
In this museum you will see how people lived in the 19th century, how their life was organized, admire festive outfits, everyday clothes, utensils, tools and much more. Entrance to this museum costs approximately 3 leva. Ancient Nessebar includes St. Stephen's Church.
It was built around the 11th century and was originally consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary. The amazing iconostasis of the late 16th century, the throne and cathedra of the bishop from the Bulgarian Renaissance, the paintings of the 16th-18th centuries depicting the Mother of God and scenes of the Last Judgment (of which there are only about 2.5 thousand) are truly impressive! During the construction of this church, parts of ancient temples and ancient Christian churches were used, which is important. The entrance ticket costs 5 leva.

Look into Church of the Holy Savior.

It seems that the church is large, but according to Turkish laws, Christians were not allowed to build churches above a certain height, so the church was ripped into the ground. By the way, this is the only one christian temple in the city, which was built during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. The church was built with the money of a rich man local resident in the 17th century. The walls of the temple are decorated with frescoes with scenes from the Gospel. Combo ticket to visit all the buildings of the complex costs about 10 levs, for children - 5 levs. And you can buy a separate ticket for each museum. The museum is open until 7 or 8 pm depending on the time of year (longer in summer). Please note that from autumn to spring, weekend visits to the complex are by appointment only.

Church of Christ Pantocrator

The small church is the most important landmark of Nessebar. The temple was built at the end of the 13th or beginning of the 14th century, made of brick and stone. We can say that the architecture of the building combines the best features of medieval architecture in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, part of the building has collapsed due to time and weather conditions. But the main nave is still well preserved - and it is really very beautiful. It is a pity that the bell tower, columns and other parts have not survived to this day. But you can see arches, cornices, pediments and niches, which are also very beautiful. The interior decoration of the church, of course, is simply magnificent: paintings, frescoes, many of them were made in the Middle Ages.

Schedule: Mon-Fri: 9:00-19:00; Sat and Sun: 9:00-13:00

Entrance: 3 leva.

In general, as you can see, there is a lot to see in Nessebar! And it's true amazing town, imbued with the breath of antiquity.

Nessebar is one of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria. It was founded by the Thracians many centuries before the beginning of the new era, since then Nessebar has been a colony Ancient Rome and Byzantium. And in the 15th century it became a colony of the Ottoman Empire.

In the 20th century, Nessebar began to grow rapidly, like a European tourist centre. Today it is beautiful place for honey family vacation with excellent infrastructure, cafes, restaurants, excellent souvenir shops, etc.

We bring to your attention short description sights of Nessebar in Bulgaria with photos and names and we wish you to visit and relax in this paradise of Europe as soon as possible.

Map of Nessebar attractions in Bulgaria

What to see in Nessebar: TOP 10 attractions

At this place in the 10th century BC. The first Thracian colony arose. Much later, the New Town was built nearby; today both cities are connected to each other via a bridge. The most ancient buildings and structures were lost over the centuries.

In the Old Town, many buildings erected by the Ottoman Turks around the 15th century remained intact; today they have been restored and are in excellent condition. There are a lot here and beautiful buildings 18th century in baroque and classicism style.

This mill is located where the Old Town connects with its modern part and a single Nessebar is formed. The windmill has a stone foundation and the structure itself is made of wood.

Before us is one of business cards ancient city. This mill was once a Byzantine temple, but it was rebuilt. Today it is romantic place, where citizens and guests of the city like to stroll in the evenings.

During the Early Middle Ages, the city of Nessebar was surrounded by a powerful fortress wall. From those ancient years, about 100 meters in length remained of the wall. The height of this fortification is about 8 meters.

Today, the remains of the ancient wall have been restored, and the area around it is well-groomed. Tourists often come here to explore this attraction and just take a walk in such a wonderful place.

Ancient Nessebar is famous Christian churches, built in the Early and Developed Middle Ages. Bulgarians treat them with special care. Separately, we note the Church of St. Paraskeva and the ruined Church of St. Archangels, both 12th century.

These temples are included in the famous UNESCO list and are protected by the state. It should also be said about the Church of St. Stephen and the Church of Christ Pantocrator, both from the 11th century, from the Early Middle Ages. The temples are perfectly preserved.

This museum is located at the entrance to the Old Town and was opened in the mid-90s of the last century. Within the walls of the museum, on its four floors, there is a huge exhibition archaeological artifacts from the Thracians to Roman and Byzantine times.

Antiquity lovers will see a huge collection of ancient icons, ceramic dishes, women's jewelry and coins. The audience will see funeral slabs from the era of Thrace, Ancient Greece and Rome, statues from the Hellenistic era, etc.