Temple-monument "Christmas", known in Bulgaria as Shipka Monastery was built between 1886 and 1902 in memory of the fallen Russian, Moldavian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Finnish officers and soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers in defense of the Shipka Pass in The Russian- Turkish War of 1877-1878 .
The temple is a basilica. It was built in the style of the Russian church tradition. Outside its domes are gilded. It’s one of the most beautiful churches in Bulgaria.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
The cathedral is an Orthodox Church in Sofia. It serves as the Cathedral Church of the Bulgarian Patriarch, and is one of the historical places in Bulgaria with a long history.
Its main stone was laid during the reign of Prince Alexander Battenberg on February 19, 1882. The construction began in 1904. Built on a total area of 3170 square meters and its total CC was 86 000 cubic meters. Its height is 50.52 meters, while the central dome - 46 feet.
In the inner part of the cathedral with its impressive dimensions, the architectural harmony of lines, space and rich artistic decoration.
The church “St. Cyril and Methodius”
The church “St. Cyril and Methodius” is the oldest Christian church in Burgas. It was built in 1907. Rises in the center of town and is one of its characters.
The cathedral is built on an area of 516 sq.m, as its length is 32 meters, width - 21 meters.
”St Cyril and Methodius” was built as a three-nave basilica. Its architecture is impressive with magnificent facade and opulent end of the dome roof. The whole building is Aitos mason green stone, brick and marble. The interior is richly ornamented as impressive are the five pairs of marble arches that seem to divide into two temples.
Church of Christ Pantocrator, Nessebar
This is an Orthodox church in Nessebar, Bulgaria. It’s part of world heritage by UNESCO. It’s one of the best preserved and most beautiful churches in Nessebar, which has over 42 churches in it’s old part.
-In Bulgaria, people celebrate a special holiday of their names. People with same names, celebrate on the same day. That is a very famous holiday in Bulgaria, and everybody celebrates it like a birthday. Bulgarian name days are:
Vasilyovden- 1 January
Vasiliov den is the day of Saint Vasilii. People called Vasil, Vasilka, Vasko, Vaska, Veska, Vesela, Veselina and Valcho celebrate their name day on 1 January.
Gergyovden- 6 May
6 May is the day of Martyr George Victorious who killed a big monster. On this day Bulgarian families always eat lamb meat. People called George, Gosho, Joro, Gergana, Gergina, Gerga celebrate their name day on 6 May.
Dimitrovden- 26 October
Dimitrov den is the day of Saint Dimitar. And everyone with the name Dimitar, Dimitrina, Mita, Mitka, Mitko, Mitio, Dimo, Dima or Dimka celebrates Dimitrovden.
Ivanovden- 7 January
7 January is the day of Saint Ioan Baptist. People with the names Ivan, Ivana, Ivanka, Iva, Ivanina and Ivancho celebrate on 7 January.
Arhangelovden- 8 November
Arhangelov den is the day of Saint Mihail. Saint Mihail is an angel who always stands next to God. People with names Anglel, Mihail, Rangel, Raina, Radka and Milka celebrate their name day on Arhangelovden.
Yordanovden- 6 January
On this day Jesus Christ was baptized in river Iordan. And everyone one with the name Iordan, Iordanka, Dancho, Dana, Boian, Bogdan, Bogdana celebrates Iordanovden.
Atanasovden- 18 January
Atanasovden is the day of Saint Atanas. On this day people say: Go away winter, come summer! . Everyone with the name Atanas, Atanasko, Tasko, Nasko, Traiko, Jivko, Traian, Traiana, Traika has name day on 18 January.
Todorovden- On the Saturday of the first week of The Long Lent
Todorovden is the day of Saint Todor and it is famous as the day of the horse too. Saint Todor is the patron of the horses. People called Todor, Todorka, Teodora and Dora celebrate their name day on Todorovden.
Petrovden- 29 June
Petrovden is the day of two apostles. Their names are Peter and Pavel. On this day everyone with the name Petar, Pavel, Petya, Petranka and Pavlina celebrates his name day.
Andreevden- 30 November
Saint Andrei was a student of Jesus Christ and he is a brother of the apostle Petar. This holiday is famous in Bulgaria as Mechkinden too. People with names Andrei, Andreia and Adrian have name day on 30 November.
Enyovden- 24 June
This is the birthday of Saint Ioan and 24 June is very famous as the day of the Sun. People say that this is the day when the herbs are the most medicative. People with names Encho, Enyo,Yani, Yana, Yanka, Yanita, Yanko, Yancho.
Antonovden- 17 January
This is a traditional Bulgarian name day. Antonovden is the day of Saint Anton and everyone with name Anton, Andon, Antoniq, Antoaneta and Tonin celebrates on 17 January.
Vyara, Nadejda i Lyubov (Faith, Hope and Love) – 17 September
This is the day of the sisters Saint Vyara, Saint Nadejda, Saint Lyubov and their mother Saint Sofia. In English Vyara means Faith, Nadejda means Hope and Lyubov means Love. Women with names Vyara, Nadejda, Lyubov and Sofia have name day on 17 September.
Simeonovden- 1 September
This is the day of Saint Simeon. Bulgarians say that Saint Simeon comes with the fall. Everyone with the name Simeon celebrates on 1 September.
Nikulden- 6 December
Nikulden is one very importanat Bulgarian holiday. This is the day of Saint Nikola. He is the patron of fishermen, bankers and sailors. On this day people in Bulgaria always eat craps. And this is the holiday of Burgas, our town. Everyone with the name Nikolai, Nikola, Nikolina, Nikol, Nikoleta, Nina, Kolyo or Nana has name day on Nikulden.
Spasovden- 40 days after Easter
On this day Jesus Christ went to the sky. Everyone with name Spas or Spaska celebrates Spasovden.
Stefanovden- 27 December
20 December is the day of Saint Stefan. On this day people in Bulgaria don`t do any work at home. And people called Stefan, Stefka or Stefani celebrate their name day on 27 December.
Trifonovden- 14 February
Trifonovden or Trifon Zarezan is very famous as the day of the vines. Saint Trifon is the patron of the grape and wine-producers. Men with name Trifon have name day on 14 February.
Bulgaria is a country with an amazing nature and a huge number of culture monuments. Thousands of priceless historical relics can be found in our museums. We have had great capitals, enormous castles, monasteries, churches. And our original villages amaze not only the tourists.
Kazanlak Tomb
The Kazanlak Tomb was found accidentally in 1944. It’s from the time of the Odrysian kingdom (4th century BC). It’s also the tomb in best shape. The Kazanlak tomb was already robbed in ancient times.
The tomb has rectangular entrance made of stone blocks with proportions 2.60 on 1.84 meters. It has vaulted hall from well-done bricks, 1.96 long and 1.12 meters wide; the brick grave chamber is 3.25 meters high.
The wall-paintings that show battles scenes are unique- with figures of warriors with helmets, long spears and big shields. The central scene is dedicated to the Thracian hero and his wife who are having feasting, holding hands and wearing wreaths on their heads. They’re surrounded by musicians and servants. The brilliant wall-painting has been made by Atenion from the Thracian town Maroneya.
The Madara Rider
The Madara Rider from the 7-9 century is one of a kind in Europe. It’s a relief that has been cut out on 23 meters above ground on a vertical high cliff. It depicts a majestic horseman that’s probably Khan Tervel. The horseman is in real size, dressed in luxurious rich garments, with long hair, with a spear in hand, piercing a fallen lion. There’s an eagle flying in front of him and a dog running after him. The scene symbolizes a military triumph.
Tsarevets
Tsarevets is the central of the 3rd Bulgarian capital’s three hills. It’s unapproachable, protected by Yantra river and the strong stone walls with embrasures. Here were the castles of the Bulgarian kings and the impressive patriarchal church “Saint Ascension”. The blossoming of the life and culture in Tsarevets was during the 15th century.
The stronghold had a main entrance and two small gates. On of them drops on a path that leads to the “SS. Forty Martyrs” church. The Baldwin Tower was restored where the Latin Emperor Baldwin I found his death.
The largest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria is located about 120 kilometers south of Sofia. Situated at 1500 meters altitude amidst the beautiful scenery of the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula - Rila. With its architecture, wall paintings and ancient history of the monastery is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Bulgaria.
Troyan Monastery "Assumption"
Situated in beautiful countryside on the banks of the Cherni Osam River just 10 miles east of the town of Troyan. Occurs at the beginning of the 17th century. Shortly later an unknown monk from Mount Athons monastery left a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which to this day is among the most valuable icons of the monastery.
Ivanski Rock Monastery
Near the village of Ivanovo, about 12 kilometers south of Russe is one of the most interesting and valuable monuments of culture - Ivanovo Rock Monastery in the list of UNESCO world cultural heritage. The monastery is situated amidst the picturesque canyon of the River Lom and Rousse and represents a complex of churches, chapels and cells carved in the rocks about 32 feet above the river, .
Glozhen Monastery “St. George the Victorious”
Built on a high bluff, surrounded by precipices , Glozhen monastery resembles a medieval fortress from the distance. It is located 2 kilometers from the village Glozhen. It is believed that it was founded in the 13th century by the Kiev prince Glozh who arrived in these lands to seek the miraculous icon of St. George the Victorious for the healing of his sick daughter.
Dryanovo Monastery “St. Michael”
The monastery is situated among the high limestone cliffs of the picturesque gorge of the Dryanovo river, 5 km southwest of the town of Dryanovo. It was founded in early the 17th century. Only a few kilometers from the monastery is the cave “Bacho Kiro”, where they found traces of the Paleolithic settlement in Europe.
Pirin is one of our beautiful mountains. Its nature makes a person feel welcome and encourages him to create things of beauty and art such as the ones that surround him. In this region men and women usually dance separately and if they take part in the same dance the women dance at the rear of the line with a handkerchief held between the last man and the first woman. There are many dances in 7/8 and often the dances begin slowly and increase in speed. The style is either sustained with a catlike feel , weight being taken onto the balls of the feet slightly behind the beat (hesitation), or is characterised by fast and low movements skimming across the ground. Men's dances include balancing movements with high knee lifts, often in shoulder hold. Women's style is graceful and light, hands are held in low hold or in 'asymmetrical' W- hold in which case the left arm is extended further than the right arm. In certain dances the arms move up and down in time with the music.
Another Bulgarian style with lots of different dances in it. Shop style is probably the most difficult Bulgarian style for non-Bulgarians to master. Mostly that's because of the speed of the dances and the amount of energy necessary to dance so many steps in a short space of time. Dances are usually performed in short lines, with belt hold or crossed hand hold. Separate hand movements are not common in Shop dances. If hands are not joined they are placed on the hips with palms flat, backs facing out. The body is held upright but with weight slightly forward so it is over the balls of the feet. This allows the performance of fast small steps often referred to as "knitting with the feet". Knee lifts are abrupt and high, and are often coupled with bending the body forward. Men's and women's styles are similar. As the dancer moves the whole body, especially the shoulders, should vibrate with a type of shaking movement called "natrisanne" which gives the impression that the dancer is hardly touching the floor with his feet. Cries and shouts are also common.
The dances in this region are as beautiful as it is. However, the Rhodope mountain area is known more for its strong tradition of open throat singing than for its dances. Our mountains are one of the most beautiful places in Bulgaria. On such places you feel inspiration and connection with nature. The dance style here has been subject to religious influences as this is the area of Bulgaria which has the largest Muslim population. This means that men and women usually dance separately. Religion differences are sometimes a thing that throws a shadow over the beauty of dances and nature. The style is subdued and heavy, with small steps and low hops using the whole foot. Hands are joined in low or "W" hold. Women's dances are usually accompanied by songs.
Shipka Memorial Church
