aBOUT SOZOPOL
The city of Sozopol is located on a scenic bay along the southern Bulgarian coast, about 35 km south of Burgas.
The city, which has a population of 5,000, is one of the oldest on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and one of the country’s most popular seaside resorts. The romantic atmosphere of the city’s beautiful old town attracts visitors from all over the world.
In 610 BCE, the inhabitants of Milet, a city in Asia Minor, made the Sozopol peninsula their city-state and called it Apolloniya. The city-state enjoyed rapid growth during the first centuries of its existence. Ancient writers describe The Temple of Apollo the Healer as colossal, housing a 13-meter high statue of the god. In 72 BCE, Apollonia was conquered by Roman legions commanded by Marcus Lucullus, who razed and plundered the city. The legendary statue of Apollo was removed to Rome as spoils of war.
Two of Sozopol’s most attractive tourist destinations are the city’s archeological museum and art gallery. In 2010, during archeological excavations of the nearby Saint Ivan (Saint John’s) Island, researchers unearthed holy relics of Saint John the Baptist. Today these invaluable relics are in the care of authorities at The St. Cyril and St. Methodius Church and attract pilgrims from all over the world. Old Sozopol and the relics of Saint John the Baptist were voted the most important of “Bulgaria’s Wonders” in 2011.
The biggest events in Sozopol aare The Apollonia Festival (September 1-10) and the July Celebration (June 30-July 1).
The city, which has a population of 5,000, is one of the oldest on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and one of the country’s most popular seaside resorts. The romantic atmosphere of the city’s beautiful old town attracts visitors from all over the world.
In 610 BCE, the inhabitants of Milet, a city in Asia Minor, made the Sozopol peninsula their city-state and called it Apolloniya. The city-state enjoyed rapid growth during the first centuries of its existence. Ancient writers describe The Temple of Apollo the Healer as colossal, housing a 13-meter high statue of the god. In 72 BCE, Apollonia was conquered by Roman legions commanded by Marcus Lucullus, who razed and plundered the city. The legendary statue of Apollo was removed to Rome as spoils of war.
Two of Sozopol’s most attractive tourist destinations are the city’s archeological museum and art gallery. In 2010, during archeological excavations of the nearby Saint Ivan (Saint John’s) Island, researchers unearthed holy relics of Saint John the Baptist. Today these invaluable relics are in the care of authorities at The St. Cyril and St. Methodius Church and attract pilgrims from all over the world. Old Sozopol and the relics of Saint John the Baptist were voted the most important of “Bulgaria’s Wonders” in 2011.
The biggest events in Sozopol aare The Apollonia Festival (September 1-10) and the July Celebration (June 30-July 1).