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 Located
34 kilometres south of
Bourgas on a scenic rocky peninsula, this fishing
village/tourist resort/art colony is arguably the most charming
place on the Black Sea coast and one of Bulgaria's crown jewels.
Founded in 610 b.c. by Ionian Greeks from Miletus and named
Apollonia in honour of their most adored god, this was the first
coastal Greek colony to be established. It was a thriving and
important place, trading with parent Miletus, Athens, and the
Isle of Rhodes.
 The name Sozopol first appears as an inscription on a 4th-century Roman
column, probably in connection with the patron Apollo as many
ancient Greek towns called Apollonia later changed their names
to Sozopolis (City of Salvation) when they accepted
Christianity.
Today the area is a favoured haunt of artists, writers, and
other contemplative types. It also serves as a regular stop-over
for tour groups from the large beach resorts as well as being a
favoured playground for Bulgarians
 The old
town beach, nestled in a protected, horseshoe-shaped bay,
generally offers shallower bathing and more amenities than the
new town beach situated a kilometre or so to the south on the
other side of the Harmanite ) headland.
Saint Kirik (Cyril) Island is where the Miletians first
established their colony of Apollonia. It was joined by a narrow
breakwater to the peninsula in 1926. Now a naval base, it is
closed to the general public
What
to See and Do
Archaeological Museum - (off the main square between the bus
station and port area, tel 226) Housed in a stylish building
erected in 1977 by the Army Corps of Engineers, this small
museum definitely deserves a look-see. Sveta Bogoroditsa (Holy
Virgin) Church - It's easy to walk right past this church - it
was built half-buried in the earth during the 17th century so as
not to offend the ruling Ottomans. Saints Kiril and Metodi
(across from the summer theatre) No longer a working church, the
large white structure is part of the Archaeology Museum and used
for art exhibitions during Apollonia days. Sveta Nedelya Chapel
(corner of Phoenix and Glarus) the door to this very small
chapel is tied shut with a rope; simply untie it and enter.
Inside are icons and candles. There are several other small
neighbourhood chapels like this around Sozopol.
Art Gallery (#70 Kiril and Metodi, tel 202, 8: 30am-6: 30 pm
daily) Apollonia Arts Festival - Named in honour of Apollo, god
of music and poetry, this annual ten-day arts festival is held
in early September. A half-dozen venues around town stage
nightly performances featuring a variety of music, theatre,
dance, cinema and other events, attracting both national and
international talent.
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