Bulgaria: An Overview

Introduction

Bulgaria has been much in the property press over the last couple of years, primarily because of its property prices, which are exceptionally low, even by Eastern European standards. In 2003, a two-bedroom apartment on the Black Sea coast could be bought for £25,000–£30,000. Today, a similar property would be priced at around £50,000–£60,000.

Naturally, the huge price increases (approximately 100 per cent in three years) have driven the press headlines – along with Bulgaria’s imminent accession to the EU, which is scheduled for 2007 – but to focus only on price would do a disservice to a largely attractive country with a colourful heritage.

The Romans conquered Bulgaria over 2,000 years ago, leaving behind a trademark amphitheatre or two – an impressive one stands in Plovdiv – and latterly communism took hold, before being peacefully ended in 1990. Its legacy is a nation playing catch-up in terms of infrastructure and communications, but one that, on its Black Sea coast and mountain resorts, has a lot to offer.

Geography

Bulgaria lies at the heart of the southern Balkan region. It borders Turkey and Greece to the south, Romania to the north, and Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro to the west, meeting the Black Sea coast on its eastern border.

The country is mostly mountainous, with lowlands on the north Danubian Plain and in the southeast on the Black Sea coast. Its highest point is Musala Peak (2,925m), which is also the highest point on the Balkan Peninsula.

Climate and weather

The predominant climate in Bulgaria is moderate and transitional-continental, with four distinct seasons. Generally, summers are hot and dry, with an average April–September temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. In winter, the average temperature is 0 degrees Celsius, with heavy snowfall, naturally, in the mountainous areas. The average temperature for the year is 10.5 degrees Celsius.

The capital, Sofia, has average January temperatures of between minus four and two degrees Celsius. Its July temperature is between 16 and 27 degrees Celsius. Along the Black Sea coast, the average January temperature ranges from minus one to six degrees Celsius, and the July temperature is between 19 and 30 degrees Celsius.

A Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild, humid winters, prevails in the valley of the southwestern Rhodope Mountains, close to the border with Greece. The northern limits of the climatic zone are the Balkan Mountains, where minus degree Celsius temperatures are commonplace for several months of the year.

History

More than 2,000 years ago, the Romans governed the land that modern-day Bulgaria stands on, leaving behind a legacy that can be seen to this day in several monuments dotted around the country. Spartacus, the gladiator, was a descendant of the people from the region. The Bulgars, as a people, are believed to have settled in the country in the seventh century, many having arrived from neighbouring Slavic countries.

During the second millennium, Bulgaria was subjected to 500 years of Ottoman rule. Its architecture, including the world-renowned Rila Monastery, underlines the Eastern rule that lasted until 1877, primarily with Russian assistance.

Following the Second World War, Bulgaria became a communist state, subservient to the Soviet empire for over four decades. The collapse of communism in 1989 saw Bulgaria emerge from the wilderness to adopt democratic principles, slowly at first, but increasingly rapidly.

Culture

Historically, Bulgarian culture is predominantly rural in tradition, each region having a variation on a music and dance style that, broadly speaking, could be termed folk-influenced. Annual festivals, including Pirin Sings and Rozhen Sings, draw over 100,000 local and international visitors to be entertained by performers and to learn more about Bulgarian folklore traditions.

Of course, in the cities and larger towns, contemporary Western culture has a huge influence on young people. One is likely to hear Eminem, for example, on the radio in Sofia, as one would in Seattle. Increasingly, the younger generation, free from communism’s yoke, is becoming entrepreneurial, opening up clothes shops, cafés and bars.

Politics and government

Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic ruled by a democratically elected government. Its members are elected for a period of four years. The president of the republic is elected for a five-year period.

Currently, Bulgaria is a candidate nation of the EU, pending formal accession, which is expected in 2007 – although a recent report speculated that the country is not sufficiently prepared to meet EU membership criteria at present.

Healthcare

Valid health insurance is required on entry to Bulgaria. Should you fall seriously ill or have an accident, you will want to be repatriated as quickly as possible, since facilities in local hospitals are basic and old-fashioned, and specialised treatment and equipment are not freely available. Furthermore, medical treatment can be expensive, and payment is expected immediately. Medical insurance, with provision for emergency evacuation, is therefore vital.

No vaccinations are required to enter the country. Mains water is drinkable, although one may choose to buy bottled water, which is relatively inexpensive and widely available. Bird flu has been confirmed in wild birds in northwest Bulgaria, but measures have been taken to contain the outbreak, and visitors are not at risk should they come into contact with domestic poultry.

Sightseeing

Sofia, the capital and largest city, is home to more than 200 museums, including botanical and zoological museums and gardens, the National Archaeological Museum, with a collection of ancient coins and finds from early burial mounds, and the National Ethnographical Museum.

Plovdiv, the country’s second city, is the site of one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Approximately 180m long, it can accommodate 30,000 spectators. The amphitheatre has now been restored, and plays, concerts and operas are presented there.

Elsewhere, Bulgaria’s medieval churches and monasteries are the main attractions. The oldest, originally a pagan temple, is the circular Church of St. George in Sofia.

Around 120km from Sofia, the Rila Monastery, which sits in imposing mountain splendour, is well worth a visit. Founded in the 10th century, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Natural beauty

Bulgaria is home to a network of three national parks (Rila, Pirin and the Central Balkan), nine natural parks, reserves, and 2,234 protected territories and natural landmarks. Over half the country is mountainous, and approximately one-third of Bulgaria consists of forests. The Balkan Mountains and their foothills support forests of various trees, including conifer, beech, and oak.

Bulgaria’s fauna numbers 13,000 species, which is 14 per cent of the total number of registered animal species in Europe. Rare mammal species include bear, wolf, elk, fox, wildcat, pelican, deer, wild goat, quail, pheasant and other game, which inhabit reserves and hunting grounds.

Shopping

Central Sofia is affluent and international in its look – designer boutiques, including Versace and Armani, line its bustling Vitosha Boulevard. McDonald’s is located next to music and CD shops, next to art galleries – which often display icons rather than pop art, however. The Central Hali Shopping Centre is home to a variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and a food court.

In the Black Sea tourist resorts, gift and beach shops proliferate, selling the full range of seaside paraphernalia – buckets and spades, inflatables and so on. Independent boutiques, selling the ubiquitous surf ware, have begun to open too, often only during the summer months. Out of season, much as with beach resorts in Spain or the UK, there is an end-of-the-pier-show feeling.

Eating out and nightlife

Eating out

Bulgaria isn’t particularly renowned for its food, but it does produce good yoghurt – arguably, this is its spiritual home – honey, and Bulgar wheat by the silo load. Traditional foods include bread, pickled vegetables, salads, soups, stews, casseroles, stuffed vegetables, kebabs, spicy sausages and cheese dishes, many of which are inspired by Bulgaria’s neighbouring countries, Turkey and Greece. Popular desserts are pancakes, baklava, baked apples and fruit.

Since the new millennium, as the population becomes more affluent and more foreigners visit its shores, dining out has become increasingly popular. International-quality food can be found in Sofia, invariably in the dining rooms of five-star hotels, but increasingly in independent restaurants. The taverna experience, replete with folk music and dancers, will appeal to some in the tourist resorts. Traditional alcoholic drinks are rakiya (a fruit brandy, often plum), wine and boza (a type of beer made with grain, usually millet).

Nightlife

In the popular Black Sea resorts, you would be hard-pressed to know if you were in Spain or Bulgaria, such is the uniformity of nightlife in the world’s coastal areas. Family restaurants serving pizza, pasta and burgers are ubiquitous, bars and clubs for singles and the younger crowd are plentiful. Many of them don’t get going till midnight. Quieter establishments can be found a little off the beaten track.

In Sofia, there are several casinos, as there are along the Black Sea coast. There are a few theatres dotted across the country, including the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia, as well as a cinema, showing Hollywood films, in most major towns. Outside the major conurbations, making one’s own entertainment is the order of the day, particularly in rural communities.

Sport and leisure

Football is the most popular spectator and participation sport in Bulgaria. While the nation has not won a significant tournament, its fourth place at the 1994 World Cup is a source of pride. Domestic football shows the legacy of the military and former nationalised industries, with the two largest clubs, CSKA and Lokomotiv Sofia, enjoying patronage respectively from the army and railway.

The country’s communist past underpins its achievements in gymnastics, athletics, weight lifting and other Olympic sports; the Soviets and their satellites placed great emphasis on the virtue of participation and success in such activities.

Bulgarians also enjoy swimming, volleyball, skiing in several of the good-quality resorts, including Bansko and Borovets, ice-skating and chess. The 2005 men’s world chess champion, Veselin Topalov, is Bulgarian, as is the 2004 women’s world champion, Antoaneta Stefanova.

National holidays

In addition to New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Bulgaria’s national holidays are:

• National Holiday (3 March)
• Labour Day (1 May)
• St. George\'s Day and Bulgarian Army Day (6 May)
• Cyril and Methodius Day (24 May)
• Unification Day (6 September)
• Independence Day (22 September)
• National Day of the Bulgarian Revival Leaders (1 November)

Dates quoted are for 2006.

Getting there

Flight time to Bulgaria is approximately three hours 30 minutes from UK airports. Until recently, charter airline was one of the few options for flying to the country, but Wizz Air, a no-frills operator, has now opened a route flying London Luton to Sofia. Accession to the EU, scheduled for 2007, will bring greater choice.