At the height of summer the town of Nessebar is always full of tourists. One of Bulgaria’s most beautiful coastal towns has established itself as a top summer holiday destination, thanks to its spirit and ancient history. Invasion of tourists in July and August completely transforms the old part of the town, bringing a busy and festive atmosphere to the narrow cobbled streets.
But in order to feel the charm of the town one will have to put aside the crowded beaches and noisy restaurants and visit the old part of the town. Preferably this should be done early in the morning or late at night when the place is relatively quiet without the usual multitude of tourists.
The Old Nessebar offers much more than a pleasant summer stroll. Situated on a small peninsula connected by a narrow strip of land with the new part of town, this small peninsula can offer you a real trip back in time. More inquisitive visitors are surprised to learn that the town was in one of the oldest metropolises in early Christian Europe. Archaeological findings show that in the sixth century BC at the place of former Thracian settlement a strong city-state protected by massive walls grew, with its amphitheater, several temples and advanced for its time water supply network. But its true rise Nessebar experienced during the Middle Ages. Most of the churches in the town date back to this time. The most emblematic is the impressive St. Sofia Church. The temple was built of stone and brick with exquisite mosaic work, which is surprisingly well-preserved even today. Galka Andonova - tour guide at the "Ancient Nessebar" museum told us more:
“This is a small coastal town, but with over 3000 years of history and numerous traces from different eras. Because of the great number of architectural and archaeological sites Nessebar is included in UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage. Immediately after the town gate the Archaeological Museum is situated, which presents the exhibition entitled “Nessebar through the Ages." Visitors can learn about the history of the town during the time of the Thracians, Roman and Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarian state. Tourists often visit and "St. Stefan" Church to see its frescoes dating back to XVI-XVIII centuries. An exhibition of maps from the IV to XIX century can be seen in the Christ Pantocrator church.”
Today's appearance of Nessebar dates back to the XIX century with its typical Black Sea architecture. Pressed together along narrow streets, most Nessebar houses are still inhabited, and some have been restored and converted into welcoming family hotels with sea views. The peninsula is 840 meters long and up to 350 m wide and the sea waves sparkle mischievously behind every corner.
