ABOUT THE TOWN OF BOURGAS
The town of Bourgas (population: 210 260) is the second district centre on the
Black Sea coast. It is situated in the farthest western part of
Bourgas bay and is 390 km east of
Sofia.
Due to the low level of the coast there are three lagoon-lakes:
Atanasovo lake,
Bourgas Lake and
Mandra lake. The town is situated between the sea and the first two lakes.
The climate of Bourgas is suitable for recreation – mild winter and long sunny summer. The beaches are covered with dark black curable sand.
Bourgas ranks fourth in size in the country after
Sofia,
Plovdiv and
Varna.
HISTORY
Bourgas is a successor of the late Roman small town called Deultum – a military colony for veterans. Later it was called Develt, which served as a name for the present day village of Debelt. Later a curative settlement was built called Aqua kalidae, arranged around the mineral springs well known in the area. Thracian tribes used to live here before the commencement of this construction work.
In the Middle Ages a small fortress called Pirgos was erected, most probably used as a watchtower.
It was only in 17th century that Bourgas was given its present name. It was called Ahelo-Bourgas. After the Liberation it was called Bourgas, and was a small settlement. Ever since the town has grown and became the centre of the Southern Black Sea coast, a town of well developed industry and trade.
MUSEUMS
The
District Museum of History, founded in 1925, houses an archaeological hall with a rich collection of old colonies on the Black Sea coast. There are exhibits of modern history, and photos of eminent Renaissance leaders.
The
Art Gallery exhibits foreign and Bulgarian art.
The
Ethnographic Museum has an interesting collection of traditional masks of Koukeri, costumes typical of the region and ritual accessories.
The
Museum of Nature and Science contains many exhibits describing the geological characteristics of the earth, the region, the flora and fauna.
LANDMARKS
The
Sea Park in the town is probably the most beautiful one on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It is situated on a high shore all of it smothered in flower beds, trees and sculptures.
The
St. St. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral is interesting with its marvelous frescos and wooden alter.
Also interesting sights of Bourgas are the
Armenian Church, the
Catholic cathedral, the
church “St. Holly Mother”, and the
church “St. Ivan Rilski”.
THEATRES
The
Philharmonic, the
Opera House, and the
Theater of Drama are housed in three different building and function all through the season. Together with the
Puppet Theater they outline the cultural atmosphere in the town.
FESTIVALS
- Five days of the Classical German and Austrian music – at the end of April
- International Theater Festival of Small Forms called “Theater in a Case” – May and June
- Three-week Festival of Opera and Classical Music in memory of the conductor Emil Chakurov – July.
- International Folk Festival and Week of the Arts for Children – August
- International Pop- and Jazz- Meeting called “Bourgas and the Sea” – September
- International Tournament for Standard and Latin American Dances – December.
ACCOMODATION
The town has many hotels of different categories, many private lodgings and camping sites in the proximity of Bourgas. The prices in high season vary from $110 to $20.
TRANSPORT
The airport of Bourgas receives flights from the country and from abroad all through the year. One can receive information and book tickets on tel.: (+359 56) 684 083. There are flights to Sofia every day. The flight is 40 min.
The railway station in Bourgas has connections with all main directions around the country. The telephone is (+359 56) 45 022. The reservation in a sleeping car should be made at least a week earlier.
The bus station is located next to the railway station. The telephone there is (+359 56) 24 047. Buses to almost all directions including
Sofia leave there.
SURROUNDING AREAS
The
lake of Pomorie is located 20 km north of Bourgas and is surrounded by salt mines and balneo-resorts, as well as the town of
Pomorie.
Atanasovo lake is to the north too. It is a home for many marsh and sea birds migrating from Gibraltar and the Bosphorus.
Bourgas Lake is near the town. Pelicans, ibis, and herons nest there.
Mandra lake is 10 km south of Bourgas and is also an important ornithological reserve.
The
island of St. Anastasia is three sea miles east of the town. There is a well preserved old church.
The salt mines of Bourgas are a sight of interest. They border the
Bourgas Lake, and some of them even stretch to the
Atanasovo lake.
The
Mineral public baths are 13 km north-west of the town in the direction to
Aitos. There are the remains of the old Roman town built around the mineral springs.
The village of
Kraimorie is to the south of Bourgas on the way to the old
fortress of Pirgos.
The
park Otmanli is 15 km away from the town near the
Chokalya cape.
Description
