Sights of Nessebar: overview, photos and description. Nessebar: old town and attractions What is interesting in Nessebar, Bulgaria

Nessebar is one of the oldest cities in Europe - it was founded in the 12-11th centuries BC. It is located 37 km from Burgas. The old city is located on a small peninsula, which is connected to the land by an isthmus of 400 meters. Pretty interesting. If you have never heard of this city, but are going here, then congratulations, an excellent choice. The resort town, however, has a lot of interesting things to do (not surprising when the city is so old!).

Fortress Walls

Once these walls were very high - more than 8 meters. First the Thracian tribes were involved in strengthening the city, then the Greeks also made some adjustments, then the Romans got involved and then the Byzantines. In short, by the Middle Ages Nessebar was already quite protected. The gate was founded in the 8th century BC. And, unfortunately, those ancient buildings did not survive to this day. Perhaps only a plot of one hundred meters on the western side of Nessebar and a little under water. These hundred meters are taken care of with all their might, they are strengthened and will not be allowed to completely crumble. So. These ruins are now one of the main attractions of Nessebar. Look for the walls in the Old City.

Byzantine Baths

The baths were built here during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, that is, somewhere in the middle of the 6th century AD. Construction techniques were borrowed from the Romans and even improved. The spacious rooms of the baths meant that several people could be inside, and the warm water that flowed through the pipes created different temperatures in different rooms of the structure. There were semicircular pools, impressive ceilings, unusually decorated marble columns and marble slabs on the floor. In the main hall they not only washed, but also communicated (as they do today, hehe), so it was supposedly very cozy here - and the hall was covered with a massive dome.

This complex can be visited, however, part of the territory of the thermal baths was built up with modern buildings, so the complex can be considered inferior. Still, be sure to visit this place and admire the ancient walls and colorful masonry. These baths are located in the Old Town.

Windmill

Once upon a time there were dozens of similar structures in the city. Today there are only two left. The mill at the entrance to the Old Town is the most popular. Perhaps you can’t leave the city without taking a photo with this mill. It’s very, very picturesque here, of course. The base of the mill is made of stone, which was collected from the ruins of an ancient Byzantine temple of the 6th century AD on the Black Sea coast. Of course, the mill was built much later, although no one can say how much later. But its appearance suggests that it has been standing here for a very long time. The mill has three floors: on the first there is a warehouse for bags of flour and grain, on the second there are living quarters for the miller's family, on the third there are millstones, shafts and other tools. The fact that the mill is located on the seashore was very advantageous; strong winds allowed the mill to operate uninterruptedly.

Museum "Ancient Nessebar"

The old town of Nessebar is included in the UNESCO lists due to its examples of well-preserved ancient architecture. That is, the city center is almost an open-air museum. There are so many important sights here! Excavations carried out on the territory more than once made it possible to discover the most important finds that were transferred to Archaeological Museum.
It was founded in 1956. The entrance ticket costs about 4 leva. This museum can be visited from 9 to 19 hours on weekdays, and on weekends from 9 to 13 and from 13:30 to 18 hours. The museum's collections will tell you about the rich and interesting history of ancient Messambria, which became Nessebar. Visit and Ethnographical museum, which is located in an ancient building, which can also be called a landmark.
In this museum you will see how people lived in the 19th century, how their life was organized, admire festive outfits, everyday clothes, utensils, tools and much more. Entrance to this museum costs approximately 3 leva. Ancient Nessebar includes St. Stephen's Church.
It was built around the 11th century and was originally consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary. The amazing iconostasis of the late 16th century, the throne and cathedra of the bishop from the Bulgarian Renaissance, the paintings of the 16th-18th centuries depicting the Mother of God and scenes of the Last Judgment (of which there are only about 2.5 thousand) are truly impressive! During the construction of this church, parts of ancient temples and ancient Christian churches were used, which is important. The entrance ticket costs 5 leva.

Take a look at Church of the Holy Savior.

It seems that the church is large, but according to Turkish laws, Christians were not allowed to build churches above a certain height, so the church was ripped into the ground. By the way, this is the only Christian temple in the city that was built during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. The church was built with the money of a wealthy local resident in the 17th century. The walls of the temple are decorated with frescoes with scenes from the Gospel. A combined ticket for visiting all buildings of the complex costs about 10 levs, for children - 5 levs. And you can buy a separate ticket for each museum. The museum is open until 7 or 8 pm depending on the time of year (longer in summer). Please note that from autumn to spring, weekend visits to the complex are by appointment only.

Church of Christ Pantocrator

The small church is the most important landmark of Nessebar. The temple was built at the end of the 13th or beginning of the 14th century, made of brick and stone. We can say that the architecture of the building combines the best features of medieval architecture in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, part of the building collapsed due to time and weather conditions. But the main nave is still well preserved - and it is really very beautiful. It is a pity that the bell tower, columns and other parts have not survived to this day. But you can see arches, cornices, pediments and niches, which are also very beautiful. The interior decoration of the church, of course, is simply magnificent: paintings, frescoes, many of them made in the Middle Ages.

Schedule: Mon-Fri: 9:00-19:00; Sat and Sun: 9:00-13:00

Entrance: 3 leva.

In general, as you can see, there is a lot to see in Nessebar! Indeed, a most amazing town, imbued with the breath of antiquity.

Fortress Walls

Byzantine Baths

Windmill

Museum "Ancient Nessebar"

Church of Christ Pantocrator

Schedule: Mon-Fri: 9:00-19:00; Sat and Sun: 9:00-13:00

Entrance: 3 leva.

In general, as you can see, there is a lot to see in Nessebar! Indeed, a most amazing town, imbued with the breath of antiquity.

Today we will talk about a stunning country located on the seashore, with sandy beaches, crystal mountain air, delicious wine and the feeling of a constant holiday - Bulgaria.

Vacationers always note the unusually low prices, delicious, healthy and environmentally friendly cuisine, as well as excellent beaches and winter skiing in this country. Yes, the mountains here are not the Alps, but everything here is done in order to get maximum pleasure from both winter and summer holidays. And our tourists especially like the warm, almost family-like attitude towards Russians that Bulgaria has preserved.

The city of Nessebar, the sights of which we will look at today, is perhaps one of the most amazing places in this state.

Nessebar is a world heritage

Nessebar is a city-museum, which is the heritage of not only Bulgaria, but of all humanity. Imagine that it was founded more than 3,000 years ago!

According to reviews of tourists who visited it, this is a bit of a fairy-tale, almost doll-like town, looking like a small brave bird that has built its nest in the middle of the water.

Throughout its long life, this city defended itself in battle with the formidable elements. Almost half of it has gone under water in its entire history and, unfortunately, many dating back to the 4th century are now located there. sights of Nessebar. Bulgaria and the whole world remember them and are trying to return at least some of the amazing artifacts to the surface.

And now a little geography

Nessebar is located near the famous Sunny Beach. It can be divided into two parts: the Old and New Town. Old Nessebar is a very tiny area, located on a small peninsula, only 800 m long and 300 m wide. It is connected to the land by a narrow isthmus, through which light, water, food and, of course, tourists enchanted by the surrounding beauty get here.

Imagine that there are only a little more than 1000 inhabitants living here! And since the city has the status of a museum city, each of them, in fact, is its employee, preserving the sights of Nessebar for posterity. We bring to your attention photos of the inhabitants of this amazing place and its ancient buildings in this article.

The town is filled with restaurants, souvenir shops, and there is also a colorful market where you can buy leather, fur, silver and clay products. All this is a subject of constant delight for tourists, but the unique architecture of this center of history is especially interesting.

Old Nessebar attractions

At one time, the city was claimed by the Greeks, the Byzantines, and the Bulgarian princes, and from all of them it took its originality, beauty and its amazing atmosphere.

The ruins of the fortress walls at the entrance to the city, pentagonal towers and gates decorated with reliefs are, perhaps, one of the most ancient exhibits of the city-museum.

And special attention should be paid to churches. Nessebar was once called the Jerusalem of the Balkans because there were more than 50 churches in this small town. Now, unfortunately, only a fifth of them remain.

The greatest impression on tourists is St. Stephen's Cathedral.

in Nessebar

Most of this cathedral, often called the New Metropolis, was reconstructed in the 16th century, and the oldest (eastern) part of the building has been preserved since the 11th century! Almost completely decorated from the inside with breathtaking 16th-century paintings depicting the life of the Virgin Mary and various saints, the cathedral will not leave any tourist indifferent. As evidenced by the many admiring reviews. Particular attention should be paid to the magnificent carved iconostasis, preserved from the end of the 16th century.

Due to the special value of this historical heritage, the church is now not operational, it has been turned into a museum.

Church of Christ Pantocrator Pantocrator (13th-14th centuries)

This ancient architectural monument, which has lost only its dome and part of the wall over time, cannot be ignored when listing the sights of Nessebar. Bulgaria, like the whole world, considers this church the pearl of the city. During its construction, brick was used in combination with decorative stone, which is why this building has a particularly “lacey”, “openwork” appearance. The combination of the facade decorated in the Turkish style with Christian canons in the general appearance of the church is also striking.

The building now houses a small collection of works by local artists.

Church of the Holy Mother of God

This church is the only one in operation; its gilded dome can be seen from afar. It was built at the end of the 19th century. (which is not at all age for such an ancient city), but, nevertheless, it can easily add to the attractions of Nessebar.

Bulgaria highly values her miraculous or, in other words, “Black” icon. She is considered the guardian of the ancient city, and this is not without reason.

The fact is that not so long ago this icon was stolen. The whole of Nessebar, and the whole country, were shocked by such blasphemy! And a wave of misfortunes swept through the city: in a very short time, 25 young people died in car accidents! For tiny Nessebar this is a huge number. The misfortunes stopped as soon as the icon was returned.

Archaeological Museum in Nessebar

As you have probably already seen, all of old Nessebar is But it also has something that needs to be kept under a roof. For this purpose, an archaeological museum was opened on Mesembria Street in 1994, which is also included in the list of “Attractions of Nessebar”. Reviews of its exhibition are full of delight from tourists who have touched history.

Here you can see the most ancient exhibits of the Thracian and Roman eras, a rich collection of icons and many more amazing antiquities.

All this is constantly replenished, since excavations in the city practically never stop. Much is taken from the bottom, where, as we have already said, part of the city is located.

By the way, it can be seen during a calm, on a clear day. Under the water, ancient columns and ruins of walls are clearly visible.

Architectural sights of Nessebar (Bulgaria)

The architecture of residential buildings in Old Nessebar is also a monument. The style of the so-called Bulgarian Revival, which features high, white stone bases, used in ancient times as wine cellars with dark wooden upper floors, protruding bay windows and decorated with large wide windows, is capable of captivating anyone. As a rule, the interiors of these houses have whitewashed walls and dark wooden ceilings.

Walking past these tightly packed houses along the cobbled streets is almost like taking a trip in a time machine.

More details about the life of the inhabitants of Nessebar can be found in the local Ethnographic Museum.

A little more about the sights

Addresses of Nessebar attractions can make a long list. Just look at the church of St. John Aliturgetos (14th century). This unconsecrated church has its own tragic love story, which the guides tell. Or the Church of the Ascension of Christ (16th century), half dug into the ground at the request of the Turkish authorities, so as not to be higher than a Muslim warrior sitting on a horse. Or dated 5th century. remains of the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

All these are places that cannot be missed, and how many have not yet been named! We can only say one thing - Nessebar is like a magic box filled with jewels. You can endlessly look at and admire them. Moreover, everyone here will find something surprising and unique, something that will make them return to this oasis of history many, many times more, becoming a loyal fan of the small cozy Bulgarian town of Nessebar.

Having visited the old town of Nessebar, I was convinced that the historical sights of Bulgaria are in no way inferior to those in Greece, Italy and other European countries that are more associated with beach holidays. Take, for example, the resort of Nessebar: the old town, whose history goes back several thousand years, still preserves traces of several eras. This is a unique attraction that Bulgaria can rightfully be proud of.

The old town of Nessebar occupies a small peninsula, connected to the coast by a thin isthmus along which a highway runs.

History of old Nessebar

The first Thracian colony on the territory of present-day Nessebar existed 1000 years ago BC. Several centuries later, the Thracian Greeks settled on the peninsula and were replaced by the Romans. Today, only archaeological finds that can be seen in museums remind us of the ancient period of the history of Nessebar.

When the Roman Empire collapsed, the territory of present-day Bulgaria became part of Byzantium. Since then, the remains of military, civil and religious buildings have been preserved in Nessebar.

At the end of the 12th century AD, as a result of an uprising led by the Bulgarian aristocrats Ivan and Asenei, the Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed, which included Nessebar. During this period, numerous churches were built on the territory of the peninsula, made in Byzantine architectural traditions using opus mixtum masonry, which involved the simultaneous use of brick and limestone. These buildings have been preserved much better than the buildings of the Byzantine period.

The Ottoman period of the city's history, which began at the end of the 14th century, when Bulgaria fell under the onslaught of the Turks, is reminiscent of itself with an abundance of characteristic houses with a stone bottom and a second floor made of wood. These buildings date back to the period of the so-called Bulgarian Renaissance, which began at the end of the 18th century against the backdrop of weakening Turkey.

How to get to Old Nessebar

Since Nessebar is not just a piece of land, but almost an island, you can get there not only by land transport, but also by water.

By land

The most accessible option is by bus.

From Burgas and Pomorie you can take buses 10 and 11; the ticket price is 6 levs or just over 3 euros. They go every hour and an hour and a half.

From Sunny Beach, bus No. 1 runs 4-6 times an hour (fare 1.3 levs or about 0.7 euros), and buses 5 and 8 also pass three times an hour, which take and (fare 1.5 levs or about 0.8 euros). The ticket is purchased from the conductor and strictly in cash.

You can also get to Nessebar from Sunny Beach on an open “train”. This attraction costs around 3 levs (about 1.6 euros) and runs 2-3 times per hour. At the same time, I did not notice that this type of transport had any strictly fixed departure point, but in any case they depart from the central part of the resort, and the ticket is purchased upon boarding from a barker standing nearby.

The most expensive option is by taxi. Here the amount starts from 10-15 leva (5-8 euros), but resorting to this method only makes sense if you are returning from Nessebar late at night. In this case, be sure to bargain.

By sea

Pomorie and Pomorie have constant water connections with the peninsula. There are two ports in Old Nessebar - the northern one, where sea taxis from Sunny Beach and St. Vlas arrive, and the southern one, where ferries from Sozopol and Pomorie arrive. In the diagram below, the places where water transport arrives are located in the places where the dotted lines come from.

Boats from Sunny Beach and Sveti Vlas depart 2-3 times per hour, and the ticket costs 15 levs (about 8 euros) one way per person and can be purchased on the spot.

I also draw your attention to the fact that water communication with Nessebar may be suspended if the sea is stormy.

Architecture of old Nessebar

Old Nessebar is a real museum city, so it is not possible to list all the architectural monuments without exception in one article. The main ones are shown in the diagram below.

Byzantine monuments

The churches of the Byzantine period have survived to this day in a severely damaged state. I will talk about some of them in the section dedicated to the religious buildings of Nessebar, but for now let’s look at the monuments of civil and military architecture.

City walls and gates

In fact, my acquaintance with old Nessebar began with them. Although the gate is in a semi-ruined state today, it looks very picturesque. Here tourists will find another attraction of Nessebar - this time alive.

Sometimes it seems that this man plays all day without rest and, according to eyewitnesses, the bagpiper played on the remains of the Byzantine walls back in the 80s of the last century - I don’t know if it was this one or another. Although the musical performance on the walls is free, anyone can donate as much as they see fit to the tireless bagpiper.

Thermal Baths

Today, all that remains of them are the ruins of the lower level, which anyone can see, but it is difficult to touch the ancient stones, since a fence has been installed around the ruins of the baths.

Tank

It is a rectangular reservoir for collecting water - the only thing left from the water supply system of ancient Nessebar. Unfortunately, only the walls and foundations of the columns that once supported the ceiling have survived to this day.

Monuments of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom

From this period (XIII-XIV centuries) only churches have survived to this day, which largely borrow Byzantine traditions, but they are predominantly of the cross-domed type, while religious buildings dating back to the period when Nessebar was part of the Eastern Roman Empire are 3-5-nave basilicas. Read more about the medieval churches of Nessebar in the section on churches.

Monuments of the Ottoman period

This period, not the most rosy one for the residents of Nessebar, had two characteristic features in terms of architecture. Firstly, the height of Christian churches was limited by the height of the rider sitting on a horse, so the temples of this period are more reminiscent of barracks or barns. Secondly, towards the end of Turkish rule came the era known as the Bulgarian Renaissance.

Architecture of the Bulgarian Renaissance period

These are residential buildings, which are one and a half to two centuries old. Distinctive features are the second floor, finished in wood, and the fact that the upper level protrudes and seems to hang over the lower one.

In addition, not far from the entrance to the old town, on the isthmus connecting Nessebar to the mainland, a wooden mill attracts attention. Unfortunately, I could not determine exactly when it was built, but judging by the appearance of the boards, its age is at least 1.5-2 centuries. Today the mill is one of the symbols of Nessebar and is very popular with birds.

Museums of old Nessebar

But there are not so many museums in the classical sense of the word in Old Nessebar.

Cinema Museum “Film museum”

This small museum, it would seem, does not at all fit into the atmosphere of antiquity that reigns on the streets of Nessebar. At the same time, once inside, you realize how self-sufficient this place is.

Unfortunately, the inscriptions on the exhibits are quite sparse, so I cannot say which of them is the original and which is a copy, but, in my opinion, in this case this issue is not fundamental. Before us is not just a museum of wax figures, among which movie characters predominate - one of the exhibits is the torso of the “mercury man” from the second part of the film “Terminator” at the moment of “healing” of the wounds. There is also a Freddy Krueger glove and a copy of Darth Vader's light saber, and the dark lord himself is presented in the museum without a helmet. There are also more banal figures - Batman, Joker, Iron Man and others. In any case, this is an establishment where I personally took a lot of cool selfies, many of which I consider full-fledged souvenirs to remember my visit to Nessebar.

The entrance to the museum is usually guarded by an imperial stormtrooper from Star Wars, who is also willing to take pictures with everyone.

The entrance ticket costs 10 leva (5.2 euros). It's best to check opening hours locally, but during my visit it was open until 21 or 22 pm.

How to get to the Film Museum

The museum is located on Mesembria Square near the Church of Christ Pantocrator. The facade of the building faces the main street.

Archaeological Museum of Nessebar

It is here that the ancient heritage of this ancient city is presented. The museum has a rich collection of antique dishes, coins, reliefs depicting scenes from ancient mythology, but in these indicators it is inferior to large museums in Italy and Greece, but this is compensated by an excellent Russian audio guide, thanks to which even inconspicuous at first glance exhibits turn out to be interesting. In addition, the museum displays gold items from Thrace, as well as evidence of contacts between Nessebar merchants and the cities of medieval Rus'.

Opening hours and ticket prices

An adult ticket costs 6 levs (3.1 euros), a child ticket costs 3 (about 1.6 euros). In addition, for 20 leva (10.4 euros) you can purchase a ticket that gives you the right to visit the ethnographic museum and five churches, which I will discuss below. The cost of the audio guide is 5 leva (2.6 euros), although two people can listen to it.

The museum is open daily from 9.00 to 19.00.

How to get to the Archaeological Museum

Getting into the museum is very easy: as soon as you go through the main gate, it will be on your right hand.

Ethnographical museum

First of all, visiting it should be considered as an opportunity to visit the inside of a typical Bulgarian Revival house. The main highlight of the interior is the richly decorated ceilings against the backdrop of the generally ascetic decoration. As for the exhibits, these include details of national costumes, ancient icons, and photographs of the early 20th century, from which one can trace the recent history of Nessebar.

Opening hours and ticket prices

During the season, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the entrance ticket costs about 3 leva (1.6 euros). It is better for you to find out more detailed information about opening hours and prices on site or at the ticket office of the archaeological museum.

How to get to the ethnographic museum

The museum is located on Mesembria Street. To get there, you need to go a little deeper into the old city.

Churches of Nessebar

First, a few words about the five churches, inside of which museum exhibitions are located today. Perhaps these religious buildings are the best preserved.

Since I visited them with a single ticket, I recommend finding out the cost of visiting each temple separately on the spot, but I believe it will be within 1-3 leva (0.52-1.6 euros).

St. Stephen's Church

Built in the 11th century, it is notable for the fact that it is adjacent to a real garden with fruit trees, and I was quite surprised when a hospitable museum employee unexpectedly treated me to some figs grown there. In the same garden, the bases of ancient columns are on display for everyone to see.

It was built in the traditions of Byzantine architecture using opus mixtum masonry. Inside, icons and frescoes have been preserved, and many biblical scenes are brutal.

Church of Christ Pantocrator

This is already the period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom - the 14th century. It is also well preserved, and inside you will find an exhibition of old maps as a reminder that Nessebar has always been an important trading hub. In addition, some archaeological finds are exhibited there - in particular, slabs from the Roman period of the city's history.

Church of John the Baptist

Built in the 10th century, its appearance resembles Russian churches of the pre-Mongol period, many of which have survived in Veliky Novgorod and the Vladimir region. There is an exhibition of icons inside.

Church of the Holy Savior

This is already the 17th century, that is, the period of Ottoman rule. Deprived of a dome, elongated in length and having a sloping roof, in appearance it resembles a barn, and this was done for a reason.

The fact is that when these lands were under Turkish protectorate, Christian churches had a strict height limit. The wall frescoes in the church itself are very well preserved.

Paraskeva Church

Another example of architecture from the period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom of the 13th century. The church is notable for the fact that the entrance to the bell tower was not from the inside, but from the street. The bell tower itself has not survived, but the steps have survived to this day. Inside, preserved frescoes from the Church of George Golemi, demolished in 1958, are exhibited.

Other churches of Old Nessebar

Below I will talk about the main temples in the old city, which are not currently used as museums. The condition of some of them today is extremely deplorable.

Basilica of Hagia Sophia

It’s a paradox, but the most popular monument of religious architecture in Nessebar is the Hagia Sophia Cathedral of the 5th-6th centuries, which is now in ruins. The façade, the remains of the walls and the internal arched colonnade have survived to this day. The cathedral is open to everyone, which is what those who like to take pictures in the arches take advantage of.

Church of Our Lady of Eleusa

Built in the 6th century, today it is in frankly deplorable condition. At the same time, it’s even strange that a barrier against vandals was not built around it. The name is translated from Greek as “Church of the Tenderness of the Virgin Mary.”

Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel

A well-preserved picturesque monument from the era of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom of the 13th century.

Despite the high degree of preservation, it is impossible to get inside today.

Church of St. Todor

This is also a monument from the 13th century, but as a result of restoration, the temple looks more like a covered garage. Probably, such a step was taken in order to strengthen the historical masonry itself. Entrance inside is currently closed.

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Built in the 19th century, it is the newest of the churches of old Nessebar and the only functioning temple on the peninsula. Although outwardly it bears little resemblance to the temples of the Byzantine period, in some places you can see the masonry of opus mixtum.

Entrance to the church is free, and it is better to check the opening hours and schedule of services on site. Important point: photography inside is prohibited.

Church of John Aliturgetos

Another architectural monument of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, which was closed for restoration during my visit. The architectural feature of this church is the presence of two entrances inside. The word "aliturgetos" is translated from Greek as "unlit"

Modern monuments of Nessebar

This is, first of all, a sculpture of St. Nicholas located at the entrance to the city, who at all times was considered the patron saint of fishermen, sailors and travelers, so the port is the perfect place for him.

Infrastructure of old Nessebar

Despite the fact that this is a 100% open-air museum, if you wish, you can find all the necessary attributes of tourist infrastructure there.

Hotels

As for the hotels located on the territory of old Nessebar, I can only say that there are a lot of them there, and for details I refer you to the websites of popular booking systems.

Beaches

Oddly enough, there are also beaches on the peninsula, if you can call it that, several small patches of sand, on which there was even room for sun loungers and umbrellas. The sand, as elsewhere in Europe, belongs to everyone, and as for the infrastructure and operating hours, I recommend checking on the spot.

Another thing is that I don’t see any point at all in visiting the beaches of old Nessebar, since the new part of the city is much more suitable for such a vacation, which you can read about.

A few words about food outlets

There are many food outlets in old Nessebar, and I will not recommend any specific ones here. Let me just say that the cost of lunch decreases as you move away from the main entrance to the city. At the same time, restaurants in Nessebar in the old town, located next to the Byzantine gates, are distinguished not only by high prices, but also by extremely slow service, since they are always sold out. In most cafes and restaurants, Bulgarian cuisine predominates, but if you wish, you can find something else: for example, the Czech restaurant “Praha”.

In addition, in the territory of old Nessebar, as in other resort towns in Bulgaria, here and there there are trays with delicious ice cream, which is sold at 1.69 leva (about 0.9 euros) per 100 grams, excluding the weight of the waffle cup, which is free . However, it was in old Nessebar that I saw trays with prices of 1.99 levs (about 1 euro) per 100 grams, but there are few of them there. In addition, there are trays of ice cream for 1 leva per scoop, but the range of flavors there is less wide.

Souvenirs in Old Nessebar

There are many souvenir shops in the old town. At the same time, in addition to magnets, mugs and hand-painted ceramics, I was struck by the abundance of objects with the symbols of the Third Reich - flasks, ashtrays, orders, etc. Moreover, many of the finds, at least according to the sellers, are genuine artifacts from the Second World War.

Amphitheater

Unfortunately, it bears little resemblance to an ancient monument, but it is actively used during holidays, when free performances are held there. In particular, I had the pleasure of watching the ballet “Swan Lake” on the stage of the amphitheater, albeit in a truncated version.

A few final words

Despite the crowds of tourists, I sincerely believe that if you are vacationing on the Bulgarian coast, Old Nessebar is a must-see. At the same time, even if you are not a history buff, this place with windswept embankments and picturesque multi-tiered buildings is simply imbued with serenity and relaxation. To feel this, you just need to turn from the central streets towards the sea.

Nessebar is one of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria. It was founded by the Thracians many centuries before the beginning of the new era; since then Nessebar has been a colony of Ancient Rome and Byzantium. And in the 15th century it became a colony of the Ottoman Empire.

In the 20th century, Nessebar began to grow rapidly as a European tourist center. Today it is a great place for a nice family holiday with excellent infrastructure, cafes, restaurants, excellent souvenir shops, etc.

We bring to your attention a brief description of the attractions of Nessebar in Bulgaria with photos and names and wish you to visit and relax in this paradise of Europe as soon as possible.

Map of Nessebar attractions in Bulgaria

What to see in Nessebar: TOP 10 attractions

At this place in the 10th century BC. The first Thracian colony arose. Much later, the New Town was built nearby; today both cities are connected to each other via a bridge. The most ancient buildings and structures were lost over the centuries.

In the Old Town, many buildings erected by the Ottoman Turks around the 15th century remained intact; today they have been restored and are in excellent condition. There are also many beautiful buildings of the 18th century in the baroque and classicist styles.

This mill is located where the Old Town connects with its modern part and a single Nessebar is formed. The windmill has a stone foundation and the structure itself is made of wood.

Before us is one of the business cards of the ancient city. This mill was once a Byzantine temple, but it was rebuilt. Today it is a romantic place where citizens and guests of the city love to stroll in the evenings.

During the Early Middle Ages, the city of Nessebar was surrounded by a powerful fortress wall. From those ancient years, about 100 meters in length remained of the wall. The height of this fortification is about 8 meters.

Today, the remains of the ancient wall have been restored, and the area around it is well-groomed. Tourists often come here to explore this attraction and just take a walk in such a wonderful place.

Ancient Nessebar is famous for its Christian churches built in the Early and Developed Middle Ages. Bulgarians treat them with special care. Separately, we note the Church of St. Paraskeva and the ruined Church of St. Archangels, both 12th century.

These temples are included in the famous UNESCO list and are protected by the state. It should also be said about the Church of St. Stephen and the Church of Christ Pantocrator, both from the 11th century, from the Early Middle Ages. The temples are perfectly preserved.

This museum is located at the entrance to the Old Town and was opened in the mid-90s of the last century. Within the walls of the museum, on its four floors, there is a huge exhibition of archaeological artifacts from the Thracians to Roman and Byzantine times.

Antiquity lovers will see a huge collection of ancient icons, ceramic dishes, women's jewelry and coins. The audience will see funeral slabs from the era of Thrace, Ancient Greece and Rome, statues from the Hellenistic era, etc.