Bulgaria is an amazing combination of spectacular scenery and nature, and fascinating history and culture. It is a land of mountains, abundant flora and fauna, traditional folk music and crafts, quaint mountain villages, deep-rooted culture, and an old-world way of life. It is a fascinating and unique country filled with welcoming people. Those who love adventure, nature, culture, history, and more will find that a trip to Bulgaria will leave them with unforgettable lifelong memories and experiences.
The multifarious people that have passed through Bulgaria’s territory have created a land of rich traditions. A strong national folklore still thrives in smaller villages, in local taverns, in staged performances by world-famous song and dance troupes, and in Pre-Christian pagan rituals. Bulgaria is known for its wonderful architecture, monasteries, wine, cuisine rich with locally grown produce, and art.
Architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries can be seen in many towns and villages such as Plovdiv, Veliko Turnovo, Elena, Zheravna, Bozhentzi, Bansko, Melnik, Kovatchevitsa, and Zlatograd. Museum villages such as Koprivshtitsa from the national revival period have wonderfully preserved national revival architecture and restored houses. These home feature graceful curved windowsills, built in seating areas, and ornate wooden ceilings, along with hand painted murals that show influence from the East. Some Rodopi villages have narrow cobbled streets and stone homes with slate roofs. This type of roofing can only be found in the Rodopi region. Old stone Turkish bridges are found throughout Rodopi and also in the Stara Planina region.
