Location: Burgas is the second largest city in Eastern Bulgaria, an administrative centre of Municipality of Burgas and the district in Bulgaria with the largest area (7748,1 square km). It is located at the Black Sea coast and has given its name to Burgas bay – the largest bay of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Burgas is located 400 km east from Sofia, 272 km east from Plovdiv, 118 km south from Varna and 350 km nord-west from Istanbul. This is a significant economic, cultural and administrative centre for south-east Bulgaria and the capital of the south Black sea coast in Bulgaria. The airport with the largest air traffic, after the one in Sofia, is located here, whereas Burgas Port is the port with the largest cargo turnover in Bulgaria.
Population: The population of Burgas is 235 000 inhabitants.
History: The region of today’s Burgas was called “The crossroad of the most ancient civilizations". 10 kilometers away from the city in the north direction, in “Solna niva” place, unique objects have been discovered, which date back to the early Chalcolithic period. More than 250 objects were excavated, the most ancient of which are assumed to have been used 6000 years before Christ. It is believed that the artefacts are the most ancient ones found at the Black Sea coastal region, even compared to the ones found in Turkey and the Caucasus.
Later on, at a distance of about 15 km south-west from Burgas, the Roman city of Deultum was founded, which was also a military colony and therefore turned into an important centre of the region. Medical centre near the numerous mineral springs in this region was built there too. During the Middle Ages, a small fortress was erected, called Pyrgos, which was used as an observation point. During the 17th century, Burgas was given its current name and since then it started to grow and develop as a commercial and industrial centre. It is mostly known as a port and a sea resort. Burgas is the starting point to the main Black sea resorts, such as Nesebar, Sozopol, the Dunes, Elenite and many others.
Landmarks:
- The Sea Garden is a wonderful place, where the city residents and visitors can take a walk and relax in the midst of the beautiful nature and the sea air. The park is located on an elevation facing the shore and it is covered with beautiful flower beds, trees and sculptures. On the territory of the park there is a casino, a small zoo and a summer theatre, which hosts the annual international folklore festivals.
- Regional Museum of History. It was established in 1925 and today it hosts the archaeological department with a rich collection of treasures from the time of the ancient Black sea settlers. The exhibition includes ceramic vessels, objects from the daily routine, antique coins, jewellery, tools and miniature models of the ancient settlements. There is also an exposition tracing the modern history of Bulgaria.
- The Art Gallery was built in 1945 and it consists of halls that exhibit the works of Bulgarian and foreign painters, as well as icons, painted by the icon masters from the National Revival period.
- The Ethnographic Museum also deserves some special attention. It has an interesting collection of traditional mummer’s masks, typical national costumes and ritual attributes, as well as a video hall, where historical and ethnographic films are broadcasted.
- The Sts Cyril and Methodius Cathedral is another landmark that attracts people with its impressive mural paintings and the altar with unique wood carvings.
- The Philharmonic, the Opera, the Drama Theatre and the Puppet Theatre contribute to the cultural atmosphere of the city. The city of Burgas hosts many festivals and celebrations. In April, the celebration of classic German and Austrian music is held. At the end of May the international children’s choir festival takes place, while in May and June there is a festival of the small theatre groups, called “Theatre in a box”. The three-week festival of the opera and classic music takes place in July, while the international folklore festival and the arts week for children are organized in August. The international pop and jazz festival “Burgas and the sea” takes place in September, while the Latin American dance festival is organized in December.
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