Great European cultures flourished over the Bulgarian territories and left their marks on the development of the modern Bulgarian civilization. This turbulent, rich and interesting history makes Bulgaria a perfect place for a study tour.

The most ancient architectural monuments of the Early Thracian Times are the megaliths in Eastern Rhodopi Mountains – numerous dolmens, rock niches, tombs and temples from IX – VI c. BC. The largest megalith found so far is Perperikon – the temple of Dionysus. Significant architectural monuments from the Early Pre-Roman Iron Age (VI c. BC – I c. AD) are the frescos-painted dome tomb in Kazanlak, the Alexander tomb and the tomb Kosmatka. The archeological excavations hitherto revealed numerous gold treasures, masks and domestic equipment, considered as some of the best jewelry samples. The Thracians enriched the Greek and Roman mythologies (Dionysus – Bacchus, Ares – Mars, Zeus – Jupiter, Hera - Juno are borrowed from the Thracians). The Old Greek and Roman mythology not only borrowed some gods and heroes from the Thracians but also some of their mysteries, cults and part of the holiday calendar of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. There have been found numerous remains from Thracian, Hellenic and Roman cultures in our lands. Whole city sites have been revealed, restored and preserved – Augusta Traiana (today’s Stara Zagora), Trimontium (today’s Plovdiv), Nikopolis ad Istrum in north Bulgaria, Pautalia (today’s Kiustendil), Messembria (today’s Nessebar), Apolonia (today’s Sozopol), partly Ulpia Oescus (today’s Gigen village) and many more. The historical museums shelter numerous statues, tomb-stones, inscriptions, masks, mosaics and statuettes of ancient gods and heroes. Under the today’s capital Sofia lay 150 000 square meters of ruins from the ancient city Serdica. The amphitheaters and the thermal baths in Plovdiv, Sofia and Varna are of great historical value in this respect.


The settlement of the Slavs and the Proto-Bulgarians, alongside the foundation of the Bulgarian kingdom brought about some new tendencies in the cultural development in the country. The Bulgarians introduced a new symbolic system of writing. Most of the written documents are preserved on stone and may also be found on the bottoms of pottery and on terracotta tiles. The adoption of the Christian Orthodox religion marks a new epoch in the Bulgarian history. The IX century was called “The First Golden Age of the Bulgarian culture” and is considered to mark the beginning of the Bulgarian literature. Some of the names that symbolize the Bulgarian culture from that period are Chernorizets Hrabar – a writer and theologian (identified by some scientists as Tsar Simeon I), Joan Kukuzel the Angel Voice (a singer and composer of many magnificent religious songs), the brothers Cyril and Methodius, who created the Bulgarian alphabet, and their disciples (all of them proclaimed saints by the orthodox Church for their contribution to the spiritual enlightenment of the people). The Bulgarian culture was enriched by the characteristics of many new ethnical groups, which had mixed with the Bulgarian nation. The Bulgarian culture was given a unique content thanks to the preserved from that time holidays, customs, songs, fairy tales, sayings and riddles. The culture of the Bulgarian kingdom impresses with its wealth and unique identity. The churches, the monasteries and the fortresses are very impressive not only because of their size, but also because of their unusual buildings and the strategic choice for location in unison with the surrounding nature. The literary work of that time is also very remarkable.

After the falling of Bulgaria under the Ottoman yoke Bulgaria’s culture was doomed to wane. The construction of mosques and other buildings in oriental style was spreading rapidly. In the first decades of the Ottoman occupation of the country the building of Christian Orthodox churches was strictly forbidden. Later on this ban was removed, but only if they are built not taller than a Turkish soldier on horseback. That is why the Christians dug them into the ground. The pen-craft and marginal drawing was developed only in the monasteries, located far from the eyes of the Turkish scouts. The construction of new monastery started only in XVII – XVIII c. after an official permission from the Sublime Porte (the Turkish Government). Specialized schools for icon-painting, wood-carving and church-building were established. When the Bulgarian Church gained absolute independence a new momentum was given to the development of the iconography and the wood-carving mastery. The most famous students on these arts were from Tryavna, Debar and Bansko. The architecture during the Bulgarian Revival (XVIII – XIX c.) had very distinctive features. Cobbled streets, bow-windows, semi-detached houses, and especially the bright colours in which the houses were painted, are very typical for that period. Wood, stone and limestone were the basic constructive materials. Worthy of admiration is the interior design – earthen floorings, panelled fireplaces, wood-carved ceilings and window seats built in the new style, later called “a la Franga”. Some fine examples of it can be found in Koprivshtitsa, Tarnovo, Plovdiv, Shiroka Laka, Tryavna, Gabrovo, Elena, Bozhentsi, Melnik. Very interesting and well-preserved are several handicraft centres from that time. Their methods of production can be observed in the open-air museum Etara near Gabrovo and in Dobrich, Plovdiv and Tryavna as well.

After the liberation of the country from the Ottoman domination the Bulgarian culture experienced a great upsurge. Shortly afterwards appeared many talented Bulgarians in all spheres of the cultural life. In 1904 the National Theatre was established. The National Academy of Science enrolled many scientists. For long period the only institute of higher education in Bulgaria was the Sofia University. The buildings in Secession style gave way to the Bauhaus style, the planning and development of towns became more similar to those of the Western-European countries, there appeared many cultural centres, cinemas, theatres, museums, libraries and the typical cafes.

The period after the World War II was marked by the so called “socialist realism”. In positive sense it led to the accumulation of great resources in possession of the state and development of the pantomime, the puppet theatres and the famous Bulgarian circus. Bulgaria gained world wide recognition for its Opera schools represented by Boris Hristov, Nikolai Ghiaurov, Raina Kabaivanska and Gena Dimitrova, who impressed and still impress the spectators in La Scala and in the New York Metropolitan Opera.

The preservation of the unique Bulgarian culture is one of the most important tasks of our times – a return to the cultural roots. The millennia-old Bulgarian history determines the colourful palette of customs, traditions, folklore songs and legends. Nowadays the Bulgarians still respect the patriarchal way of living, honour their homes and their families and still observe the Christian holidays as Christmas, Easter, Palm Sunday, etc. Some ancient pagan traditions and customs have mixed with the fully Christian ritual. The Bulgarian folklore music and dances are a magical mystery for the foreign listeners and spectators. The Bulgarian folk song has gained a worldwide popularity with its unique irregular rhythms, polyphonic treble singing and characteristic acoustic tone of voice. Our guests can enjoy the beauty of the Bulgarian folklore life during the numerous annual events all over the country.

Some of them are:

• The Festival of Roses in Kazanlak
• The International Mask Festival in Pernik
• The festival for authentic folklore in Koprivshtitsa
• The folk festival “Pirin sings” and many more…

Bulgaria’s cultural calendar is various and rich. As a home-country of famous singers Bulgaria is a frequent host to many international music festivals and events (classic music, ballet, jazz, rock and theater).

Here is a short list of some of them:

• Sofia New Year music festival
• March music-days: International Festival for chamber-, symphonic- and opera-music, Rousse
• Sofia Film Fest, International cinema festival, March
• Easter Music Festival, Plovdiv, April
• Varna Summer, International festival for classic music, jazz and theater, end of July
• International Ballet Competition, Varna
• International Jazz Festival, Bansko
• Kaliakra Rock Fest, International rock festival, Kavarna
• Apollonia, Festival of arts, museum city Sozopol
And others

Bulgarian sites included in UNESCO’s list:

• Rila monastery, established in X c., important literature centre over the centuries.
• Boyana Church, medieval church with unique frescos from 1259.
• Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, in Russenski Lom Natural Park, wall-paintings from XIVc.
• Sveshtari Thracian Tomb: valuable relief decorations with caryatids, III c. BC
• The Kazanlak Thracian Tomb (IV – III c. BG): dome-shaped tomb, masterpiece of the Thracian architecture, amazing ornaments and wall-paintings
• The Old Town of Nessebar: valuable archaeological, architectural and historical site from the Antiquity (V c.) up to the Renaissance period.
• Madara horseman, rocky relief, unique monument from the Early Middle Ages (VIII c.)
• Pirin Natural Park: about 40 332 ha in size
• Srebarna biosphere reserve: established to protect over 65 rare plants kinds and about 250 animal species.
• Folklore ensemble “Bistrishki Babi”: established in 1939. Presently it consists of third generation singers from 46 to 77 years old.

For an interesting and diverse study tour through epochs, traditions, music, lands and people our team is gladly at your disposal.

Yours,

Ulpia Tours team


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