Location

Sozopol is located in the southeast part of Bulgaria , at the southern end of the Burgas bay, some 35 km from the city of Burgas , in an environment-friendly region. It is situated between two picturesque peninsulas and is a unique blend of rich history and modern life style.

Short historical survey

Sozopol is the oldest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast . The first settlement here dates back to the end of the 4 th and the beginning of the 3 rd millenium BC. Undersea explorations in the region of the Sozopol port reveal relics of dwellings, ceramic pottery, stone and bone tools from the Bronze Age. Numerous stone anchors and stocks were found in the Bay of Sozopol , dating back to the 2 nd millenium BC. They are proof for active shipping since ancient times.

In 610 BC the Milesian Greeks established a Hellenic settlement (“polis”) and named it Apollonia Pontica.

The city established itself as a trade and naval centre. It kept strong relations with the big centers of Hellas : Miletus , Athens , Corinth , Heraclea Pontica, the islands Rhodes , Chios , Lesbos , etc. Its trade influence in Thrace was based on a treaty with the rulers of the Kingdom of Odrysian kingdom, dating from the 5th century BC. An expression of the significance of the trade and navel activities is the anchor, which is the symbol of the town and is present on all coins in Apollonia since the end of the 6 century BC. The rich town became an important cultural centre. Its contemporaries called it Apollonia Magna. (The Great).

In 72 BC the town was conquered and plundered by the Romans, and the city wall was demolished.

In 4th century the town blossomed again and became known by the name of Sozopolis – town of salvation. As a traditionally Byzantine town and fortress, with economic region related to the capital Constantinople , it was not until 812 under Khan Krum that Sozopol was included for a short time within the borders of the Bulgarian state.

Churches and many old-time houses dating to the 18 th and the 19 th century AD are preserved today giving the unique architectural outlook of Sozopol nowadays. Ancient icons and magnificent wood-carved iconostasis represent the remarkable achievements of the arts at that time. Of particular interest for their typical architecture are the Sozopol houses of the Revival Period

Climate

Climatic data – Sozopol