BULGARIA : BURGAS
Burgas, situated in the south-eastern part of the country, is the fourth
largest city in Bulgaria and also the second largest port on the Black
Sea coast, situated in the western part of Burgas Bay, 390 km east of
Sofia. Burgas is a successor of the Roman city of Deultum (later named
Develt), founded by Emperor Vespasian as a military colony for veterans.
In the Middle Ages a small fortress called Pirgos (which is the Greek
word for tower) was erected in the place and was most probably used as a
watchtower. It was only in 17th century that a city named Ahelo-Burgas
grew in the present-day area of the city. It was later renamed to Burgas
and had only about 3,000 inhabitants at the time of the Liberation.
Besides being an important industrial centre in the country, Burgas also
has considerable resources for tourism. What attracts people here mostly
is undoubtedly the sea. The city is a starting point for visiting the
seaside resorts in the area - The Slantchev Bryag resort (Sunny Beach)
and The Elenite holiday village to the north and The Duni holiday
village, renowned for its unique architectural compostition, to the
south. Burgas looks as if emerging from the sea because it is located at
an altitude of only 17 meters, between three lakes: Burgas, Mandrensko,
and Atanassovsko.
Art and culture, together with propagation of cultural values is
fostered by 7 state-owned and 11 municipal institutes. On the territory
of Burgas municipality there are 2 universities and 4 colleges
comprising more than 6200 Bulgarian and foreign students. Burgas has a
typical cosmopolitan seaport atmosphere with full of sunshine summer,
beaches, sea gardens, cultural events, fine restaurants and cafes. The
climate here is temperately continental with a distinct impact from the
Black Sea. Places of interest are the Etnographic Museum, the Art
Gallery, housed in what used to be a synagogue, the Archeological and
Historical Museums, as well as the Armenian Church and the Church of SS
Kiril and Metodii.
