In the footsteps of past civilizations

Bulgarian lands have always been of great interest to a large number of peoples in different age periods. Whether because of the key geographic location, the beautiful and rich land, or for any other reason, everyone had a different reason to crave for them. But it is precisely thanks to this interest that history today allows us to enjoy a unique and varied archeological heritage. An inheritance that glorifies us all over the world and makes us proud we the features we’ve been given.

And on this occasion, we turned to Sredets (Bourgas region) to see the archeological treasures that those lands hide! Read further down for more information.

Deultum’s eternal glory

Our first stop was the Roman city of Deultum or today’s Debelt which has played a very important role in history. This was the point that everyone coming from the East had to go through in order to go west. It is curious to mention that precisely for this reason Byzantine created here customs, collecting funds through taxes.

That’s why this place has inherited an impressive rich history that is hidden behind the walls of the ancient city and is waiting to be discovered and explored by the hardworking archaeologists.

Nowadays, on the territory of the Deultum archaeological site, there is a museum, impulsion and archaeological excavations that we can explore.

The collection has different subjects from the everyday life of the then inhabitants, giving us a clear idea of ​​their way of life. You will be surprised by the fact that things have not changed much over the years and do not differ dramatically from the life we ​​are leading now.

The museum passes through several periods, with the objects of the epoch and people belonging to them being thematically arranged. I hope to show you through the photos how much life has been boiling in this place, and how well the people living right here have been developed and skilled.

After the museum we headed to the ruins of the city which look incredibly beautiful. This part of the excavations is very small but it is a proof of the scale of the ancient city. We can understand many curious facts about the way cities were built and built. Also, thanks to the ruins, today archaeologists can understand which building/room were used for what purposes.

Useful information:
Work time:
Every day: 9:00 – 18:00
Entrance fee:
Entrance: adults – 5 BGN
Entrance: children and pensioners – 2 BGN
Entrance: Children up to 7 years old and disabled – free of charge
Talk Museum – BGN 6
Talk Book – 6lv
Talk Museum and Reserve – BGN 10
The Roman city of Deultum is 17 km away from Bourgas, most easily accessible from the Trakia highway. There are labelled signboards that you have to take;
I strongly recommend that you take advantage of the guide, it is extremely interactive and interesting;
The place is extremely pleasant for family tourism and you will get an unforgettable cultural ecstasy;

Curious fact:
Тhis is the only site in Bulgaria, awarded with the “European Cultural Heritage” sign.

The legendary Markov stone

Markov Kamak, better known as the Great Stone, is a Thracian sanctuary located near Dolno Yabalkovo. The place itself is very interesting as location and energy. The atmosphere is typical of Strandzha – mystic and harmonic. And the view you find by going up the stairs of the stone is breathtaking.

Like any cult facility this is also surrounded by intriguing legends. One of them reads the following: the collected in the recesses (so-called steps in the photos you can see) water is healing for problems related to infertility and eye diseases;

Another legend says that the Virgin Mary has dropped the stone. God’s mother wanted to help the Byzantine Emperor Constantine in the construction of the fortress wall of Constantinople and carried stones in an apron. One of them dashed past Dolno Yabalkovo. Nowadays, the site is often visited by women who have reproductive problems and believe that the “godly” rock debris heals infertility.

Useful information:
To reach the stone you have to reach the village of Dolno Yabalkovo, from there, depending on what care are you with, you have to take the road to the right of the village church;
The road is mainly suitable for off – road cars;
Markov Kamak is 2 km away from the village;

Dolmen, the religious customs of the Thracians

Dolmen Zmeuva dupka is located in the vicinity of Korubata, near the village of Kirovo. This is the best preserved dolmen in Strandja. It presents several vertical stone slabs that form a chamber and are covered with another stone slab. The main room is covered, and the front and the dromos are deflected.

These buildings were adopted as facilities related to the religious rites or burials of the Thracians. So many remains of dolmens can be seen on the territory of Strandja Mountain.

Useful information:
The place is privately owned and I would not advise you to risk entering alone. It is best to contact Sredets tourist center and they will assist you with visiting this place;

During our tours, we stayed in a holiday village in Golyamo Bukovo. A place that offers a pleasant experience sleeping in comfortable rooms located in a wide garden, inhabited by fluffy rabbits and a shy deer. And all this is very affordable. I advise you to visit their site for more information: http://villagebukovo.com/