Veliki Preslav
An inscription chiseled into an ancient stone column reads that the town was founded by Khan Omourtag. It reached its heyday when Tsar Simeon the Great ruled the country. The year 893 marked important events in the history of the Bulgarian State. A Council was held in Preslav at which they decided to adopt Christianity as the official religion of the Bulgarian State and the Old Bulgarian as the official language. The Council also decreed that the Bulgarian Church was no longer subordinate to the Byzantine Church. They encouraged education and literature, designated Prince Simeon I to reign and moved the capital from Pliska to Preslav.
So Preslav was the second Bulgarian capital city. While Pliska's layout resembles a military camp Veliki Preslav was designed and built as a typical Medieval town. Even its ruins today look impressive. They sprawl on an area of 3.5 square kilometres. The builders of Preslav were the first in Europe to put up two concentric rings of fortress walls. Even today you can see remains of the fortress wall, the round Eastern tower, the North and the South Gates, the Palace and its adjacent buildings. Written documents and fragments of the interior decoration reveal that the Grand Throne Hall and the royal apartments made visitors to marvel at the grandeur and splendour of the Palace.
The Round (Golden) Church was awe - inspiring too. Its gold plated dome was richly decorated inside with a fantastic mosaic on a background made of gold. It rested on 12 marble columns. The church was built on top of a hill outside the city walls so that citizens and travellers could enjoy the view.
Velikli Preslav was the centre of the flourishing Medieval Bulgarian literature and culture and its Golden Century. It was the Preslav Literary School that had a strong influence on the cultural development of Eastern Europe. When Preslav was the capital of Bulgaria the country had the political authority, economic power and military might to make other European rulers, Byzantium and barbaric tribes conform to it. A proof of past wealth and grandeur of the city is the Preslav Treasure, consisting of 150 objects of exquisite craftsmanship. Preslav’s decline started at the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom when the capital was moved to Turnovo.
Chuprene Biosphere Reserve
The reserve is one of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria. It is established in 1973 to preserve the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria. In 1977 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves under the program "Man and Biosphere".
See on the map
Water Holes Cave
Water Holes Cave is located in Apriltsi Municipality, within the Central Balkan National Park on the northern slope of the massif of Botev Mount.
See on the map
Albotin rock monastery
Albotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.
See on the map
Uzana - the geographic center of Bulgaria
Uzana - the heart of the Balkans. In its embrace, the mountains has kept this extraordinary place where you can fully take charge with power and hours to enjoy its grandeur and beauty of nature.Far from the urban vanity you will find abundance of colors and shades, serenity and peace of mind. Here the warbling of the birds and the whisper of wild grasslands will put a spell on you forever.
Chervenitsa - geological phenomena over the village of Kunino
The natural phenomenon Chervenitsa is a molded boulder, rising more than 150 m above the terrace of the river Iskar in village of Kunino. It is located about 46 km east of Vratsa and approximately 120 km northeast of Sofia.
See on the map
Lopushanski monastery "Sv. Yoan Predtecha"
The Lopushanski monastery is located in the Balkan Mountain in the valley of Dalgodelska Ogosta river. It is operational and consists of a church, residential and farm buildings and a white stone fountain, all surrounded by a stone wall.
See on the map
The museum of salt
A unique museum in the whole Eastern Europe dedicated to the production of salt by solar evaporation of sea water, Pomorie
See on the map
Taukliman Reserve
Natural Reserve Taukliman typical landslide with length of about 4 km, formed between the edge of the Dobrudzhansko plateau and the coast.
Basilica Sveta Sofia - Sofia city
The Early Christian basilica Sveta Sofia is an active Orthodox church in the center of Sofia city. The church was probably built in the early VI century on the ruins of early Christian tombs from II - IV century and the ruins of two earlier churches from IV-V century. It is located among the necropolis of the ancient Serdica.
See on the map
Medieval fortress "Monyak"
"Monyak" fortress is one of the largest and high located fortresses in the Rhodopes near the village of Shiroko pole, Kardzhali Region
See on the map
Vakarelski monastery "St Petka"
Vakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.
See on the map
"The Womb" cave
A unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region
See on the map
Thracian sanctuary "Gluhite kamani"
The megalithic complex "Gluhite kamani" is one of the largest Thracian sanctuaries since BC, whose strength continues to act today to anyone who visits it.
See on the map
Krivus Fortress
A medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region
See on the map
"St. Konstantin and Elena" monastery near Ladzha quarter, Ivaylovgrad
The monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is situated close to Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad
See on the map
Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa
Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa was was found in X-XI century and during the Middle Ages was an important literary and cultural center in Bdin area.
See on the map
Roman tomb - town of Hisarya
The Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.
See on the map
Elenska basilica
Elenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop
See on the map
"St. Theodor Tyron and Theodor Stratilat" church
A unique monument of culture with extremely precious frescoes and icons included in UNESCO's list with the World Cultural Heritage, village of Dobarsko, Blagoevgrad Region
See on the map
Ovech Fortress
One of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya
See on the map