Highlights of Bulgaria

The successful launch of a Romanian tour last year has prompted a similar exploration of the cultural heritage of Bulgaria. We have been pleasantly surprised by a rewarding array of monuments, monasteries and museums as well as beautiful landscapes, a world away from its busy coastal resorts. Situated to the west of the Black Sea and bordering five other countries, Bulgaria has a notably diverse landscape ranging from the snow-covered Rila Mountains in the southwest to the river valleys and hills of the Danubian plain in the north. Many ancient civilisations have left their mark in history, most notably the Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs and Bulgars, and this itinerary is rewarding both scenically and culturally.

The town of Plovdiv has an array of remains preserved from the Antiquity and one of the finest examples is Bulgaria’s largest surviving Roman construction, the Roman Theatre. Located in the old town and built in the 2nd century AD, it was only discovered 40 years ago due to a landslide and after a major excavation project the site is now used, during the summer months, for theatrical plays and musical shows.

The Bachkovo Monastery was founded in 1083 by a Georgian, Byzantine military commander and until the 14th century Georgian traditions were preserved even after their loss of power the century before. The monastery survived during the attack of the Ottoman but was later destroyed and restoration started in the 15th century. To the northwest of the Rila Mountains lies the UNESCO World Heritage site, Rila Monastery. It is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important historical architectural monuments with a remarkable interior displaying painted murals and woodcarvings.