Sozopol

The old Town of Sozopol radiates unique atmosphere of intense historical memories with its ancient houses, covered with wood, the small paved streets and cosy restaurants that scatter the fragrance of delicious fish meals. You can sense the ancient spirit of the place with each whiff of air that transcend you to another reality.

Sozopol itself offers tourists the chance to explore various cultural and historic landmarks. Several Thracian fortresses were located near the town. Their remains can still be explored today.

There are many churches of ancient times well preserved for the contemporary eye. The Church of St. George is Old Sozopol's new church, which is in current use. The church also follows the old tradition of having many small churches rather than one big church.

One recent significant event, however, has changed the historical and religious importance of Sozopol for good. The recently discovered relics of St John the Baptist have been laid in state in Bulgaria’s Sozopol after a transfer processing which brought much excitement and euphoria in the Black Sea town.The relics, which include part of an arm bone, a skull bone, and a tooth, were found in a sealed marble reliquary in the St. John the Forerunner Church on the St. Ivan Island near Sozopol on July 28, 2010, by the team of archaeologists led by Prof. Kazimir Popkonstantinov. The procession led by the Bulgarian Orthodox Bishop of Sliven Yoanikiy brought the relics of St. John the Baptist from the St. Ivan Island to the St. George Church in the downtown where they were laid in state.

Other landmarks in Sozopol are: the ancient churches from the Revival Period (St. Zosim Church and The Holy Virgin Church), the house of Dimitur Laskaridis (17th century, now an art gallery), a fish trader, Ana Trendafilova's (the house with the sun), of Kourtidis, Una Psarianova's (now arranged as Stenata Restaurant), of Grandmother Koukoulissa Hadzhinikolova (today housing the office of Sturshel Newspaper), Metropoliev's House (a medical centre at present), of Kreanoolu, etc.

Among the other “must - sees” are the Archeological Museum, the Museum Southern fortress wall and the Art Gallery. Nature lovers will undoubtedly be seduced by the innumerable options for mountain hiking in Strandza Mountain rising nearby, or for trekking in the Natural Rerserve “Ropotamo” named after the Ropotamo River – a natural habitat for rare birds and animal species.