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Sites of the World Cultural Heritage in Bulgaria
The monuments of UNESCO in Bulgaria are unique sites of the tangible and intangible culture and landscape.
TANGIBLE HERITAGE:
 is situated near Sofia and is one of the cultural symbols of Bulgaria for it represents the significant contribution of the Bulgarian Fine arts to the European cultural tradition. It has preserved valuable frescoes dating from 1259 with high artistic value who are considered to be the predecessors of the European Renaissance.
What makes the Boyana paintings so unique is the realism, the convincing psychological depth and vitality of images along with the perfect technique. Among the most valuable images are those of the church donors - Sebastocrator Kaloyan and his wife Desislava, the royal couple Konstantin Tih, Asen and Irina, the granddaughter of Tsar Ivan Asen II and the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Theodore Laskaris. The image of the 12-year old Jesus Christ in the church is amazing. In the alive humanlike expression of the image, the art experts identify the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
 The wall-paintings in the church are so impressive that they are compared to the works of Giotto, who however was born 7 years after they were created. Only this fact is enough to make us think of the heights that would have been reached by Bulgarian fine arts, if only Bulgaria hadn’t fallen under the Ottoman domination.
Many frescoes reveal interesting details about clothing and features of the national way of life at that time, thus they have not only artistic but also historical and documentary value. All these artists remain unknown, and the name ‘the Boyana master’ is a collective name of the team that decorated the church after acquiring skills and mastership at the Tarnovo School of Arts.
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Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches:
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20 km to the south of Ruse, near Ivanovo village is located the unique Rock-hewn Monastery St. Archangel Michael.
 The monastery is a network of numerous small rock-hewn churches, cells and chapels, hewn 32 m above Rusenski Lom River. The Monastery was founded in 13th century by the Monk Joachim, who later became Bulgarian Patriarch. During the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396) it was a prominent centre of culture and literature. Its donors were representatives of the Royal court, including Tsar Ivan Asen II and Tsat Ivan Alexander, whose portraits have been preserved in the Monastery. During the years the Monastery was in a flourishing state, the rock-hewn churches were 40, and the other premises were about 300.
The unique thing about this Monastery Complex is that the beautiful frescoes in several churches are preserved until now. In these churches you may see decorations representing antique themes, wall-paintings representing biblical scenes, graphites and signs giving important historical data.
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The Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak:
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 The Tomb of Kazanlak is an exceptional proof about the building mastery of Thracians and about the bloom of the fine arts during the Hellenist epoch. The Tomb was built at the end of IV century B.C. and the belief is that it was made for a Thracian nobleman. Its uniqueness is due mainly to the frescoes dating from the end of IV century and the beginning of III century B.C. It consists of three premises - a rectangular antechamber, a narrow passage (dromus), which leads to a round burial chamber. The chamber is covered by conical cupola and is decorated with ornamental and figured painting. Battle scenes are depicted in the narrow passage. Two tribal armies are fighting on one side, and on the other side two warriors - presumably the chieftains - are engaged in a one-on-one combat in front of the armies. Two friezes are painted on the cupola walls of the burial chamber. The upper one shows three racing chariots and the lower one - a burial feast and procession. In that scene the attention is focused on the nobleman and his wife. The man sits on a throne, with a laurel burial wreath on his head. His beautiful wife sits opposite him. From both sides they are approached by servants (carrying fruits, scented oils, jewellery, and a mantle) and musicians with trumpets. At the end of the procession warriors are leading a four-horse-drawn chariot and the horse of their deceased master.
Because on the actual site ony authorised personnel is allowed , next to the tomb there is exact copy of it so the visitors can touch and feel this unique monument.
is an archeological monument, representing a wall relief hewn in rock at a height of 23 m from the ground level on a sheer rock. It is located in Northeast Bulgaria, near Madara village, 20 km away from Shumen.
 The relief represents a triumphing ruler – a symbol of the power of the First Bulgarian Empire. A life-size rider, an eagle flying in front it, a dog following the rider and a lion pierced through with a spear lying under the front legs of the horse are outlined. The composition symbolizing the victory over the enemy reminds of the triumphing scenes and the antique artistic traditions. The details help to identify the period (the beginning of 8th century) and support the most widely distributed thesis about the Proto-Bulgarian origin of the relief assuming that it depicts Khan Tervel (701-721). The Greek inscriptions surrounding the relief provide important data about the Bulgarian history.
On the 29th of June 2008, based on a conducted national inquiry, the Madara Rider was declared as a global symbol of Bulgaria. The Madara Rider will be depicted on the first Bulgarian euro coin.
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The Old town of Nessebar:
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Nesebar is one of the oldest towns in Europe. The Old city is an unique architectural reserve combining the ancient monuments of IV-V century with the picturesque churches of Nessebar and the cozy houses from the time of the Bulgarian National Revival. The Old town of Nessebar is situated on a small peninsula linked to the Bulgarian South Black Sea coast.
 It was established as a fortified Thracian centre named Messambria approximately 510 B.C. and further it became a Greek settlement organized as a polis. In 812 the town was captured by Khan Krum and was included within the boundaries of the medieval Bulgaria. The numerous houses built in XVIII century during the Bulgarian National Revival, the stone windmills, the quiet and cool small streets and cozy squares attach special beauty and calmness to the city. The marvelous Bulgarian churches, built in V-XIV century will amaze you with their picturesque architectural style and rich decoration. The remains of the ancient fortification walls of the ancient Messambria and the early Byzantine churches of V-VI century are much impressive. The town is deservedly declared a museum-town.
 is located in the Southwest Bulgaria, 117 km away from Sofia city in a difficult to reach part of the Rila Mountain, among picturesque landscape. Rila Monastery is the second largest monastery on the Balkans. The best Bulgarian masters at that time were involved in its building. It was founded in the 30s of X century by hermit Monk John of Rila and his followers. Although built in several phases and despite the fact that many creators took part in its building, harmony and integrity in architectural and artistic aspect was achieved. Buildings are amazingly decorated and face the courtyard with their wooden balconies. Very impressive is magernitsata (the monastery cook-house). The drawing-rooms were furnished with donations from residents of rich Bulgarian settlements and were decorated with paintings, woodcarving and fabrics characteristic of that countryside. In 1837 in the courtyard was built the Holy Virgin Church with its splendid decoration. The relics of St. John of Rila are kept there. Rila Monastery as a combination of the consumer and spiritual culture keeps various and very valuable works of the Bulgarian art. The collection of icons includes works of XIV to XIX century and shows the art development throughout the years. The monastery plays an important role in the cultural life and has rich library keeping works of different nature.
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The Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari
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 is located near the city of Isperih, 84 km from Silistra and 152 km from Varna. This is Thracian-Hellenistic Tomb that dates back from the first half of III century B.C. This is a royal tomb, in which is probably buried the Getae ruler Drumiched. The tomb consists of a passage and three square chambers: an anteroom, a side room and a burial chamber, covered by a semi-cylindrical vault. Gifts and offerings probably were placed to the side of the entrance of the room. All these things are made of precious metals were plundered yet in the antiquity. The rich people buried in the tomb are evidenced by the bones of five horses, killed and buried with their master to accompany him to the great beyond. The burial chamber contains two stone beds, human bones and burial gifts. The walls of the burial chamber are formed as a colonnade. Columns are attached to the wall. Blocks under the vault are supported also by 10 female figures (caryatids). They are 1,20 m tall with their arms raised. They wear long, pleated garments, which are sleeveless, girdled in the waist.
INTANGIBLE HERITAGE:
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The Bistrishki Babi or Grannies of Bistritsa
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 is an authentic folklore group from Bistritsa village located near Sofia. The group was established in 1939 and presents authentic songs from Shopluk Region. The original polyphonic singing has brought worldwide fame to the group Bistrishkite babi. Their singing is unique, very archetypal, preserved from the pre-Christian times. Specialists define it as an unique three-voice polyphony. Today, the group Bistrishkite babi consists of 9 women. In the recent 10 – 15 years, they teach and prepare their granddaughters to transfer them their skills and experience.
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Nestinarstvo or Fire dancing
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 is a typical Bulgarian custom that has its roots in the remote times of heathenism. The most attractive and specific thing about it is the dancing on smouldering embers. That custom is still performed in the legendary Balgari village, which is located in the picturesque Strandzha Mountain. The ritual is performed mainly on the St. Constantine and St. Helen’s Day – on the 3rd and 4th of June. All villagers take part in it, but fire dancing is only for those nestinari who are professionals. In the past only women were fire dancers (nestinarki). The belief was that barefoot dancing on fire will redress the sins of everybody in the village and that fire drives away evil spirits and misfortune.
It is believed that fire dancers (nestinari) carrying ill people in their hands while walking on the embers will heal them. Children and juveniles also take part in the ritual for longevity.
It is amazing that medical examinations of the nestinari have found out that the skin of their feet is tender, without any traces of burning. A curious fact is that objects that have fallen in the fire, for example headscarves, never burn. Eyewitnesses state that while dancing the nestinari go into a trance and even if they fall down, they stand up and continue dancing without any consequences. The nestinari themselves may not explain their talent and define it as a gift of the saints, "a charisma" that finds the worthy.
NATURAL HERITAGE:
 Pirin Mountain is a part of the Rilo-Rhodope massif. The Pirin National Park is the largest national park in Bulgaria and spans on an area of 26 480 ha. It includes areas where nature is best preserved ranging from about 1000 m altitude above the sea-level to Vihren peak (the second highest peak in Bulgaria - 2914 m altitude above the sea-level). Forests occupy more than 60% of the park area. The oldest tree in Bulgaria is found here – Baykushevata mura (white fir), which is more than 1200 years old. Within the relatively small area of the park one can find some unique animal species. More than 50 peaks with height exceeding 2 600 m, about 70 glacial lakes, numerous beautiful waterfalls, caves and magnificent gorges make this mountain amazingly beautiful. The preserved ecological equilibrium, the unique flora and fauna, the good tourist base and the original folklore of Pirin provide excellent conditions for recreation and sports.
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Srebarna Biosphere Reserve:
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 The Reserve is located 2 km to the south of Danube River, 17 km from Silistra and spans on an area of 600 ha. It includes the Srebarna Lake and the territories surrounding it. This is one of the most interesting wet zones in Europe with an exceptional diversity of plant and animal species. More specific representatives of aquatic flora are to be found there such as water lily, summer snowflake, water forget-me-not, reedmace and reed. Many animal species in the reserve are examples of rare representatives of the national and world genetic fund such as: Dalmatian pelican, wild geeses, glossy ibises, spoonbills, herons, wild ducks, etc. There is a museum at the lake coast, which exhibits collections of all animal species inhabiting the reserve. Srebarna is an unique place on the Earth, which has preserved millennial virginity and authentic power of nature.
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