About this experience
You will explore the 'sand castle' of the Marvelous rocks, and in the ancient fortress, you will learn about the intricacies of resisting medieval invaders. You will visit the place where Cyril and Methodius worked on the famous alphabet. You will also learn about the 'mother of the Christian faith' in the Balkans and see recent finds from the world of Ancient Rome.
What to Expect
The Marvelous Rocks - a natural phenomenon in Bulgaria
The road from Burgas (or any nearby resort) to the first object will take about an hour. So first, you will visit Lake Tsonevo, where the quirky natural formations - the Marvelous Rocks are located. They are not often found in guidebooks, but the place is very picturesque, and photos against the backdrop of rocks resembling a sand castle tower can be a beautiful addition to your photo collection.
A little about medieval battles
Then I will take you to a stone plateau where the strategically important fortress of Ovech stood in the Middle Ages, with powerful stone staircases and hanging bridges. Here we will talk about the 12-14th-century epoch, Byzantine raids on the Bulgarian kingdom, and the significance of the landscape, which often helped the state, saving it from enemy attacks.
Pliska - the ancient capital of the First Bulgarian Empire
The most interesting thing here is the ruins of the 9th-century basilica. You will learn how, built immediately after the baptism of Bulgaria, it became the largest episcopal center in the Balkans and received the status of the Bulgarian 'mother of the Christian faith'. You will see the extensive work to recreate the basilica, and nearby you will inspect the preserved walls of monastery cells, where we will talk about the renowned brothers Cyril and Methodius, who lived and worked here on the creation of Cyrillic.
The Madara Rider
In conclusion, you will visit another amazing place - a sheer cliff where to commemorate the victory over the Byzantines, the Bulgarian Khan Tervel in the early 8th century ordered his image to be carved into the rock at life size. Thus the Madara Rider appeared, which to this day looks down on everyone from a height of several tens of meters.
Lunch at a cozy establishment and a little more
After having lunch at a wonderful restaurant in a small Bulgarian village, you will set off on the return journey along a picturesque serpentine road along the sea. And in the end, a small surprise awaits you. You will visit the excavation site where very recently the remains of Roman presence were discovered, with church foundations, baths, and huge amphorae buried in the ground. Additionally, here you will enjoy a fairy-tale view of the white rocks and the endless expanse of the sea.
Organizational Details
- The excursion takes place in a comfortable car.
- I will meet you at hotels in Burgas, Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sozopol, Primorsko, Pomorie, and other resorts near Burgas, as well as from Obzor and Byala. And after the excursion, I will take you back.
- I can pick you up from Golden Sands, but it will take more time for the transfer, so this option is possible for an additional fee and by prior arrangement.
- Lunch and entrance tickets to the 'Madara Rider' park are not included - 2.5 euros per person.
