Personal experience about Nessebar and Sozopol. Personal experience about Nessebar and Sozopol Nessebar or Sozopol which is better

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Last year, before my vacation, I studied the Internet for a long time in order to find out where it is better to go for 12 days - to Nessebar or Sozopol. Sozopol aroused more confidence, and therefore, for the first half of the vacation, they booked the nicest hotel in the old town of Sozopol, in the room the balcony was right above the rocks and the edge of the sea, lying on the bed you could look at the Sozopol bay through the panoramic window.

After living there for several days, we sat on a meteor and rolled to Nessebar. He disappointed us. As promised by many who had previously been there, the old city gave the impression of a noisy crowded bazaar, utterly commercialized, cramped, packed with a huge number of tourist groups of all nationalities. We planned to spend the whole day in Nessebar, but in the end we regretted that we had gone there from the quiet, cozy, “living” city of Sozopol at all, and after drinking beer in a lovely Czech restaurant, we hurried back to the nearest meteor. Arriving at the hotel, we cast aside doubts and rather booked our own hotel and room for the second half of the vacation.

Sozopol - city picture, beautifully restored, it has less of all kinds of archaeological sites than in Nessebar, but there are no tourists, it is quiet and deserted in the evenings, the restaurants are excellent and inexpensive, the sea is right under the hotel balcony, kilometers of half-empty beaches south of the old town, no huge hotels like surrounding Nessebar. The guide book I read after my trip to Sozopol and a couple of my acquaintances say that south of Sozopol, summer life is even more beautiful, and it is worth going, for example, to Primorsko or Tsarevo.

Editorial

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It was and remains one of the most beloved countries. Endless stretches of beaches, clear sea, delicious cuisine, fragrant wine - its advantages can be listed almost endlessly. Guests from the East (and from the West too) have to choose - either, or.

The last two resorts are not too far apart and have a lot in common. Even the territories they occupy are similar - the historical part of the cities is located on the peninsulas, new quarters are growing on the mainland along the coast.

Sozopol or Nessebar - who is older?

Sozopol appeared in the 6th century BC, it was founded by Greek colonists. The first settlements appeared on the rocky peninsula and were very convenient for safe living. The city in those distant times was called Apollonia in honor of the famous ancient Greek god, whose bronze statue adorned central square.

At the end of the 1st century BC. Mark Lucullus ravaged the city and took the monument to where it is still safely stored in the Capitol. A new settlement arose only five hundred years later and was named Sozopolis - the city of salvation. Today, one might say, he "saves" the guests, giving them the opportunity to rest their body and soul.

In the matter of seniority, Nessebar definitely wins - it has more than three thousand years and belongs to ancient cities. The historical part of the city, as well as in Sozopol, occupies a peninsula, and is also under the protection of UNESCO. There is a legend that most of the settlement went under water, only a piece of land survived, on which all 40 surviving religious buildings were located.

Beaches and hotels

Sozopol currently has only three beaches: Central Beach - in the historical part of the resort; Harmani Beach - in new quarters; "Golden Fish" - in the vicinity of the city. At the same time, all the beaches of Sozopol are quite wide and long, so there is enough space for guests. The beaches are equipped, there is a rental of sun loungers and sports equipment, there are well-known beach activities.

There are only two hotels of the 5 * category, there are several complexes with 4 *, the hotel range is mainly represented by 2-3 * hotels that provide a minimum of amenities at affordable prices. The city has a large number of apartments located both in the old part of Sozopol and in new areas.

The beach in Nessebar is one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria - it is a wide strip of coastline covered with golden fine sand. There are all the necessary attributes (sunbeds, deck chairs) for a comfortable stay, there is also an opportunity for sports games, windsurfing and diving.
Accommodation in Nessebar for tourists depends on the thickness of their wallet and desire. 2-3* hotels offer rooms at very reasonable prices. For those tourists who are used to relaxing in comfort, there are 4 * and 5 * hotel complexes, most of them are located in the modern part, in the direction of the village of Revda. Sometimes tourists rent apartments in old houses equipped with modern furniture and equipment.

Entertainment and attractions

The main historical and cultural attractions and monuments of Sozopol are naturally located on the peninsula. A kind of architectural reserve has been created here, which is under the protection of specialists from UNESCO. You can endlessly walk along the narrow streets, admiring the old houses, the remains of the fortress wall and the only surviving old mill. There are several interesting museums in the city, an art gallery, which is housed in the house of Dimitar Laskaridis, a famous fishmonger in the past.

The main entertainment for the guests of Nessebar is walking around the Old Town, which is located on a peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Medieval churches, ancient fortress walls, old houses and public buildings create a unique atmosphere. Religious buildings require special attention, firstly, quite a lot of them have been preserved, and secondly, they are beautiful and unique.

A comparison of just a few positions shows that both Bulgarian resorts are good for summer holidays: they are ready to provide the most Better conditions for living, staying at the sea and entertainment. And yet, holidays in these resorts are different, so Sozopol will be chosen by foreign guests who:

• know they will find good value for money;
• love beach holiday with all the necessary entertainment;
• adore walks in the old quarters;
• love to taste national cuisine.

Travelers who will come to rest in Nessebar will:

• heard about its ancient monuments of architecture;
• think that good beaches- the main condition for rest;
• like to see historical sights;
• dream of walking around the city with a tour.

What resorts in Bulgaria do tourists go to relax in the summer and why? We figure out where and when it is best to relax in the country for various categories of people.

According to reviews, in Bulgaria you can have a good rest in Balchik- many tourists go there. This is a small calm town, where the roofs of houses are decorated with red tiles, and the smell of roses is felt in the air. Some of the local beaches are sandy, some are rocky. The main decoration of the city is the royal residence and the botanical garden. This place is well suited for a secluded and romantic getaway.

Where to stay while traveling? Look for hotels and hostels on the Roomguru search engine, it will select the most profitable options among a variety of booking systems. We advise you to look for accommodation in the private sector in Bulgaria on Airbnb - there you will find many interesting options from the hosts.

(Photo © Sergey Galyonkin / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

Where can you relax cheaply in Bulgaria in 2019?

According to the reviews of tourists for 2018, high prices in Albena, Sunny Beach and Golden Sands. The most prestigious one is in the Riviera, located not far from Varna among a huge old park. Once it was a place for the ruling elite of the country, and now it is an elite resort with excellent opportunities for family holidays. It is believed that it is best to relax in Bulgaria there, but the prices bite.

TO budget resorts include small seaside towns, where there are many 2-3 * hotels and there is an opportunity for accommodation in the private sector. Locals living in cottages often rent out the upper floors of houses. You can save money by settling in Nessebar, Balchik, Kranevo, St. Vlas and Ravda, affordable prices for accommodation in Pomorie and Tsarevo.

Did you know that vouchers to Bulgaria can be purchased from only 20 thousand rubles (for example, a tour for two for 7 nights from Moscow)? And during the promotion period - even cheaper! In the price of the tour: flight, accommodation, transfer, insurance and meals to choose from. Hot tours By the best prices you can search on the services and - they compare the offers of 120 tour operators and therefore are able to find the best option. You can buy a ticket online, which is very convenient.

(Photo © aleazzo / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Cultural and excursion rest

In general, the climate of Bulgaria allows you to travel around the country at any time of the year, but May, June, September and October are the most favorable months. Tourists like to visit the Rila Lakes and the monastery, Driven stones, ancient Roman baths and temples of Varna, Sofia museums, the temple on Cape Kaliakra, ancient buildings and ancient buildings of Nessebar and Sozopol.

Where is it better to relax in Bulgaria with children in 2019?

With children in Bulgaria it is comfortable to relax anywhere. You can spend an expensive, comfortable and fun time in Golden Sands, Albena and Sunny Beach. There is a good bottom and wide beaches. In the resort of Sunny Beach there is a bay with shallow water, where the water warms up well and is suitable for kids. Many children's entertainment: playgrounds, rides, slides, water parks.

Close to Sunny Beach (5 km) are the quieter resorts of St. Vlas and Ravda. Ravda is a developing resort with good opportunities for sports and entertainment for children. St. Vlas is suitable for those who want to improve their lungs - the air is enriched with iodine vapor and phytoncides of coniferous forests. According to reviews, you can have a good rest with children in Bulgaria in the villages of Elenite and Kranevo - they are suitable for those who prefer a calm and comfortable family vacation.

On an excursion with older children, you can go to Nessebar or Sozopol. Sofia has an extreme amusement park and a zoo, and not far from Varna is the largest family theme park in the country, Happy Land.

(Photo © Balcon del Mundo / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

Resorts for youth

The most party and noisy resort in the country is Sunny Beach. No less vibrant nightlife in Golden Sands. Both resorts have a good area of ​​​​entertainment and rich opportunities for active pastime: there are water parks, centers for surfing, rowing and water skiing.

According to reviews, you can have a great rest in Bulgaria in the village of Ravda. He has good base for sports and excellent beaches, while the rest itself will cost much less. Economical youth recreation in the southern resort of Kiten - there are campsites and many inexpensive hotels.

Not far from Sozopol there is the Golden Fish beach, popular among surfers, and the Smokini beach, which was chosen by nudists and informals. Both beaches have cafes, umbrellas and sun loungers. You can stay at campsites nearby.

Resorts for the elderly

St. Constantine and Elena is a respectable resort a few kilometers from Varna. good hotels, green parks, thermal and hydrogen sulfide springs, balneological treatment center.

Balchik, Nessebar and Sozopol also have a measured rest. It is quiet here, compared to the crowded Sunny Beach or Golden Sands, a rich excursion program, and prices in local cafes are affordable. If you are interested in a passive beach holiday, then you should go to Pomorie.

(Photo © Filip Stoyanov / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Weather in Bulgaria: where and when is it better to relax?

In Bulgaria, the climate is not hot, continental, with warm summers and cold winters, in the south - closer to the Mediterranean. The air temperature even in the southern latitudes rarely rises above +30°C.

Spring short and cool. In March, snow often still lies, during the day +6 ... + 10 ° С, in April the air warms up to + 15 ... + 18 ° С, everything blooms. In mid-May, summer is already coming in the south of the country, but the water in the sea is cold, so you can swim in the pool, and it’s better to walk along the promenade along the sea. In May, the night of museums takes place, at this time you can visit the museums of Nessebar, Sofia and other cities for free.

June often overshadowed by rains, the water near the coast is +20...+22°С, in the daytime +24...+26°С, so it is best to relax in southern Bulgaria - in Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Sozopol.

The best beach holiday in Bulgaria - in July And august. Water +24...+26°С, air +29...+30°С. This is the peak of the summer season, all resorts are filled to the limit with tourists.

IN September the air temperature drops to +23...+25°C, the sea cools down by 1-2 degrees. This good month for swimming, as well as trips around Bulgaria - at this time it is best to relax in Sofia, Nessebar, Balchik, Sozopol, Varna, Plovdiv. Resorts are still working, but there are fewer tourists.

IN October And november winds and precipitation begin to rage, during the day +12 ... + 15 ° С, a little warmer (a couple of degrees) in the south of the country. You can forget about the beaches, during this period we recommend visiting thermal springs and balneological resorts: Sapareva Banya, Sandanski, Velingrad and others.

in winter you can go to the mountains - in December, winter ski resorts Bansko, Vitosha, Pamporovo and others. In the coastal zone it is damp due to rains, during the day +7°С, in the mountains in winter during the day 0...+3°С, at night down to −7°С. In the north of the country, snow lies until April, in the south - until March.

Of the summer trips, there are few Nessebar and Sozopol, two surprisingly similar old Bulgarian towns. I'll start with Nessebar:

This is what the old city embankment looks like

A bit of history:
Nessebar (Bulgarian Nessebar, until 1934 Mesemvria, Turkish Misivri) is a Bulgarian city located on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, on a rocky peninsula 850 m long and 300 m wide, 37 km north of the city of Burgas. Nessebar is divided into two parts: New Nessebar, where most of the modern houses and hotels are located, the resort complex Sunny Beach - and Old Nessebar, located on a small peninsula connected to the land by a narrow isthmus about 400 meters long. It is the old city that is of particular interest.
Kinds:

The city of Nessebar is one of the oldest cities in Europe with a population of about 10,000 inhabitants. It is the successor of the ancient Thracian settlement called Mesembria, which existed from the beginning of the first millennium BC. e.

From antiquity to the present day, the ruins of the fortress wall, towers, gates, and reliefs have been preserved. In 1983, the area of ​​the old town of Nessebar was included in the list world heritage UNESCO. In the old part of the city, intensive archaeological research is underway. During the excavations, the ruins of a church built in the 9th century AD were discovered. e., as well as the remains of Byzantine terms.
Actually, here are the remains of old buildings:

Western fortress wall

Church of Christ Pantakrator (13th century)

In the earliest archaeological layers on the territory of modern Nessebar, ceramics were found, which in the Eastern Mediterranean are usually associated with the Thracians. According to Strabo, the original settlement founded here by the Thracians was called Menebria. At the end of the VI century BC. e. the Dorian Greeks turned it into a Greek colony and a lively shopping mall. From this time on, the city was known in the Greek world as Mesambria or Mesembria. In 72 BC. e. the city was captured by the army of the Roman Empire, with no actual resistance. After a short occupation, Messembria became part of the Roman Empire and received a number of privileges, such as the right to mint its own coin. At the end of the 1st century in the city, the first Christian woman-great martyr, Saint Irene of Macedon, died, who, according to legend, was revived by an angel after the execution.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city, like the entire Balkan Peninsula, was included in Byzantium. In 811, the Bulgarian Khan Krum the Terrible took possession of Messembria, who approved the transcription Nessebar (Nesebar, Nessebar) for this city.

Already as part of the Bulgarian state, in the XIII-XIV centuries, the peak of Nessebar's development occurred during the reign of Tsar Ivan-Alexander, when the city was one of the most important in the Bulgarian state.

In 1452, Nessebar fell under the pressure of the Turks, and the walls of the fortress were destroyed. During the Ottoman yoke (XV-XIX centuries) Nessebar was devastated and ruined, like other Bulgarian cities.

During the period of the Bulgarian National Revival, houses were built in the town, which give modern Nessebar an archaic romance. Typical Nessebar houses of the 18th-19th centuries have small courtyards facing the street, which is outlined by walls of stone basement floors. A wooden staircase, often movable, leads to the rooms on the upper floor. It is light, with a bay window, completely sheathed with wood and protrudes above the first floor, and the beams supporting it narrow the street space even more visually. The interior features wooden ceilings and whitewashed walls. The windows on the upper floors are wide, while those in the basement are narrow and few. Actually here they are:

Streets of the old town

In the 1920s Mesemvria (officially renamed Nessebar in 1934) began to gradually develop as a resort, but the majority of the city's population was still engaged in fishing.

During World War II, several powerful pillboxes and artillery batteries were built in the vicinity of the city, covering Nessebar from the sea and land. They did not participate in the hostilities and are now in an abandoned state.
(By the way, we have not seen anything like this, next time we will try to look)
With the advent of the neighboring resort Sunny Beach, Nessebar began to develop mainly as a resort town.

IN last time The Turkish fortress of Mesemvria had to fight during the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-29. - July 9-11, 1829 On July 9, ships of the Russian navy approached the fortress walls, defended by the troops of the two-bunch pasha Osman, from the sea, and Russian infantry from land.

The isthmus that connected Mesemvria with the mainland was protected by an ancient massive tower and (from the west) a redoubt. The garrison of the fortress was 2000 people with 15 guns. By the evening of July 10, three Russian uhlan regiments and infantry approached the city, under the command of Major General Otto Ivanovich Vakhten. The Turks refused the offer to surrender. Then the Russian artillery opened fire on the redoubt on the isthmus and literally after a few shots forced its garrison to capitulate. At the same time, bombardment ships from the squadron of Admiral Alexei Samuilovich Greig began shelling Mesemvria and, with the fifth hit, blew up the main powder magazine of the Turks. After that, the Russian Infantry General Loggin Osipovich Roth suggested that Osman Pasha surrender, and he agreed, provided that the garrison could leave the fortress. The Russians rejected this condition, and then Osman Pasha bargained for himself until dawn on July 11 in order to convince his subordinates to surrender. At dawn on July 11, 1829, the Russians received the keys to Mesemvria. 2000 Turks surrendered, 19 guns, 10 banners and large food supplies were taken. Part of the garrison tried to escape to Anchialos (now Pomorie) on rowboats, but the Russian brig Orpheus disrupted the evacuation. Such famous Russian commanders as Yakov Petrovich Baklanov, Lazar Markovich Serebryakov and Alexander Ivanovich Yushkov, as well as the commander of the frigate "Hasty" Alexander Ivanovich Kazarsky, who glorified his name two months ago with the legendary battle on the brig "Mercury", participated in the capture of Mesemvria.

Here pride for the Motherland takes.
We always climb, we always free everyone, and we always get a bunch of shit from ex-brothers in gratitude. This applies to the Bulgarians to a lesser extent, but still ...

On July 11, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army Ivan Ivanovich Dibich arrived in Mesemvria, who paid a visit to Admiral A.S. Greig on the Paris battleship and celebrated the birthday of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna there. On July 12, Emperor Nicholas I received a letter from Dibich: “The victorious banners of Your Majesty flutter on the walls of Mesemvria, Ahiolo and Burgas, among the population that welcomes our brave men as liberators and brothers.” In response to this letter, Nicholas I granted Dibich the title of count, with an honorary prefix to the surname "Zabalkansky".

In honor of the capture of Mesemvria, 2 warships of the Russian fleet were named. The first, 24-gun corvette "Mesemvria", became part of the Black Sea Fleet in April 1832 and in May 1838 died during a storm at the mouth of the Sochi River. The second, 60-gun frigate "Mesemvria", of the same type as the famous frigate "Pallada", was part of the Black Sea Fleet from November 1840, and on February 13, 1855 was scuttled in the Sevastopol Bay.
And sunset in Nessebar

Sozopol and its appearance and history resembles Nessebar, only a little smaller.
If we go to Nessebar for about 20 minutes, then to Sozopol, 2-3 times longer, so we went there on the "Soviet heritage".

Comet rockets are old. The Bulgarians bought them from the Greeks and repaired them for a long time, but guess who and where the Greeks got them from.

In general, this thing smokes and buzzes notably.
Even with my love for maritime transport, I was afraid to be in the cabin.

Well, we arrive in Sozopol and go to see the city.
Sozopol is located 34 km east-southeast of Bourgas. The city is located on a small peninsula that cuts into the Black Sea.

Sozopol is the oldest Bulgarian city in Black Sea coast. The first settlement in these places arose as early as 4-3 millennium BC. e. In 610 BC. e. on this place, immigrants from Miletus founded the Greek colony of Apollonia, named after the god Apollo, and erected a 14-meter statue of Apollo. In the 1st century A.D. e. the Roman commander Mark Lucilius captured and destroyed Apollonia, and took the aforementioned statue to Rome (where it still remains).

The old part of the city is an architectural reserve. It is dominated by wooden fishermen's houses built in the 19th century. Sometimes there are stone residential buildings built in the early 20th century and 1930s. Generally Old city reminiscent of the old part of Nessebar.

Not far from Sozopol there is an archaeological museum where you can see a rich collection of Greek vases. Residents of Sozopol are proud of the Church of the Holy Virgin with a wonderful iconostasis made by local wood carvers.

Monuments of architecture and history

Near Sozopol is the largest Bulgarian island in the Black Sea, St. Ivan:

Sozopol streets and buildings:

During the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829, the Turkish fortress of Sozopol (Sizeboli) was taken on February 15-16, 1829 by a detachment of Russian battleships "Empress Maria", "Panteleimon" and "Pimen", frigates "Rafail" and "Evstafiy" and three gunboats led by Rear Admiral Mikhail Nikolaevich Kumani (335 guns and 1162 paratroopers). The plan to take the fortress was personally approved by Emperor Nicholas I. During February 15, all enemy coastal batteries were suppressed by Russian naval guns, and on the morning of February 16, under the cover of fog, 500 Russian paratroopers landed on the shore. Seeing them, the Turkish garrison (1600 people) left Sozopol. The head of the Turkish garrison, Hamil Pasha, was taken prisoner.

And it didn't happen without our help.

On March 28, 1829, Turkish troops (4,000 infantry, 1,800 cavalry) made a desperate attempt to recapture Sozopol. The assault on the fortress lasted all day, but was successfully repulsed by the joint forces of the Russian army, navy and fortress artillery. During the battle, 27 sailors and soldiers in the fortress and 5 sailors on ships were killed.

Zabrosik

For the capture of Sozopol, Rear Admiral M. N. Kumani was awarded the Order of St. Anna, 1st degree, and 2 cannons taken in Sozopol were donated to the cities of Sevastopol and Nikolaev. In 1841, the 60-gun frigate of the Russian fleet "Sizopol" was named in honor of the capture of the city. At present, a part of the fortress wall has been preserved in Sozopol - witnesses of the battles of 1829, and a memorial plaque has been opened in memory of Russian officers, sailors and soldiers who took the fortress by storm and then defended it.

On April 19, 1829, the operational base of the Black Sea Fleet was deployed in Sozopol. The legendary Russian brig "Mercury" under the command of Lieutenant Commander A.I. Kazarsky went to the battle that glorified him with two Turkish battleships on May 14, 1829 from Sozopol and returned to Sozopol.

Most of the Greek population left the city as a result of the 1906 pogroms. Nevertheless, in 1920 the 2,000-strong Sozopol was still a Greek city.

ancient church

More types:

Well, as a conclusion, an entertaining note:

In 2012, during excavations in Sozopol, two medieval burials were discovered: the chest of the skeletons was pierced with iron wedges. Such “precautions” in the old days were taken against alleged vampires so that they would not rise from the grave.
So that...

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