Nesebar
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The historical town of Nesebar is often called as ”Pearl of the Black Sea”. It is located on the Black Sea shore, 34 km northeast of Burgas, and it has appr. 10,000 residents. Nesebar is well-known for being nearby the Sunny Beach, maritime climate and – specially – its ruins and old buildings.
The town was established more than 3200 years ago. Thracians make their nest here at the end of the Bronze Age. They called the area as Melsambria, which meant ”the town of Melsas”. They were succeeded by the Greek Dorians, who came here at the end of the 6th century BC. Under their control the town expanded: a fortification wall was built, residential quarters emerged, etc. At the beginning of the 1st century AD the town became part of the Roman Empire. It was then when they started calling it Mesembria. The town continued to be an important economic and cultural centre. After the capital of the Roman Empire moved to Constantinople and Christianity became the official religion, there was a building boom of Christian temples on the territory of Mesembria. Antique ruins and Byzantine churches make together an idyllic historic complex, and the town is one of the most important tradition sight in Bulgaria.
Today the old and the new part of the town are connected by a narrow isthmus. The old town lies on a small peninsula. In 1983 Old Nesebar was included in the List of World Cultural Heritage Sites of UNESCO.
Here is an extraordinary amount of churches, about forty – built in Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian rule.
The north and the south beaches of Nesebar lie in the new part of the town.
Something to explore
Ethnographic Museum
The ethnographic museum of Nesebar is located on the Moskoyani House, the Renaissanece-styled building built in 1840’s. It houses exposition ” The Old Nessebar” in two floors. It consists e.g. traditional craftmanship, records and drawings left by travelers and painters, who visited Nesebar in the 17th – 19th centuries, and a fine collection of wine vessels and fishing equipment.
St. Stephen Church
This former Orthodox church is turned into a museum and belongs to the Bulgarian cultural heritage as an essential part. The eastern part is the oldest and probably dates from the 11th century, Byzantine days. It houses 258 mural paintings and more than 1000 figures. Scenes from the Miracles of Christ, according to the Gospel legends are given in all range.
How to get around in Nesebar
Town’s cobbled streets are slightly harmful for those in wheelchair.
Efficient way to get acquainted with the area is renting a bicycle.
Bus connections between Burgas and Nesebar are relatively good. SBavto offers bus line between Sunny Beach and Nesebar.
How to get in Nesebar
Nearest international airport is in Burgas, 34 kilometres south from Nesebar. List of its airlines and destinations is here.
Top 5 in Nesebar
- Strolling in old part of the town
- Churches
- Beaches
- Antique ruins
- Fortification walls
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: Wikipedia Commons and Flickr with CC licence / Mark Ahsmann, Cherubino, esonic[/fusion_text]
