Bulgarian Blacksea Coast
Burgas (often incorrectly spelled as Bourgas) is smaller and less crowded than Varna (population 210,260). It is Bulgaria's largest port and this is the primary focus of the city. Burgas has a relaxed atmosphere with good shopping and an abundance of restaurants and outdoor cafes.
History & Landmarks
History: Bourgas is a successor of the late Roman small town called Deultum founded by Emperor Vespasian as a military colony for veterans. Later it was called Develt, which served as a name for the present day village of Debelt. Three more villages were included in the present day territory of the city, i.e. Kastiacion, Skafida and Rossokastron. Later a curative settlement was built called Aqua kalidae, arranged like Asclepionite around the mineral springs well known in the area. Thracian tribes lived here before the commencement of this construction work. The glory of the adjacent towns did not allow small fortresses to expand. In the Middle Ages a small fortress called Pirgos was erected, most probably used as a watch-tower in Bulgarian territories.
It was only in 17th century that Bourgas was given its present name and its location as it is now was determined. It was called Ahelo-Bourgas. After the Liberation it was called Bourgas, and was a small settlement with 2950 inhabitants. Ever since the town has grown and the population has increased almost 100 times. It became the centre of the Southern Black Sea coast, a city of well developed industry and trade, with a busy harbour. A number of plants, oil and chemical works producing more than 30 oil products for the country, were built; there was rapid agricultural development on the land by the city; salt and iron are mined in industrial quantities and trades far beyond the boundaries of the country. In 1903 the railway station in Bourgas started functioning.
Landmarks: The District Museum of History was founded in 1925 with the archaeological association. Today it houses an archaeological hall with a rich collection from the old colonies on the Black Sea coast. There are a number of ceramic vessels, objects from everyday life, coins and jewellery from antiquity, tombstones, plates of Thracian horse-riders, tools, and miniature models of ancient settlements. There are exhibits of modern history, photos of Revival eminent leaders, of Bulgarians born in the district having blazed a trail in the history of the native land.The Art Gallery was established in 1945 with halls exhibiting foreign art, works of Bulgarian artists, and icons painted by Revival icon-painters.
The Sea Park is situated on a high shore, all of it cut by flowerbeds, trees and sculptures. There is the bust of Adam Mizcewic, Polish writer and revolutionary, who stayed in the city in 1850. Within the park there is the casino, a small zoo and the open-air theatre, which houses the annual International Folklore Festival, and where part of the guests at the Golden Orpheus Pop-Festival perform.
The central beach is situated below the Sea Park, a beautiful forked staircase in verdure leads to the beach. The sand is a mixture of various alloys of magnetite which are the reason for its dark colour. The city has a northern beach, too, close to the Izgrev Quarter, adjacent to the salt-mines.
The St. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral is situated near the marketplace, and is interesting for its marvelous frescos and wooden altar. The Ethnographic Museum has an interesting collection of traditional masks of koukeri, and costumes typical of the region, objects from everyday life, and ritual accessories. There is a video-hall where one can see ethnographic and historical films. A number of traditional Bulgarian fabrics and embroidery typical of the district are exhibited. The museum is arranged in a house from 1873, later declared a cultural monument.
The Museum of Nature and Science contains many exhibits describing the geological characteristics of the earth, the region, the flora and fauna. More than 1200 exhibits relating to insects and reptiles have been exposed. More than 140 species of fishes, plants growing in the district of Strandzha, protected and endemic species are on display.
The Philharmonic, the Opera House, and the Theatre of Drama are housed in three different buildings and function all through the season. Together with the Puppet Theatre they outline the cultural atmosphere in the city with their interesting concerts and performances. An interesting sight of Bourgas is the Armenian Church located close to the Bulgaria Hotel. It was built in 1855 by the local Armenian minority supported by Bulgarians.
There are numerous festivals and holidays held in the city of Bourgas: Five days of the Classical German and Austrian music - at the end of April; International Festival of Children’s Choirs - end of May; International Theatre Festival of Small Forms called “Theatre in a Suitcase” - May, June; Three-week Festival of Opera and Classical Music in Memory of the conductor Emil Chakurov - July; International Folk Festival and A Week of the Arts for Children - August; International Pop- and Jazz- Session called “Bourgas and the Sea” - September; International Tournament in Standard and Latin-American Dances - December.
