Cultural and natural sights attract tourists in Strandzha - Sakar after implementation of projects under a cross-border cooperation programme
Cultural and natural sights attract tourists in Strandzha - Sakar after implementation of projects under a cro
By Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works
Ancient fortresses, Roman baths, the house of a deputy in three National Assemblies who was an associate of Stefan Stambolov and close to King Ferdinand, bicycle paths and areas for recreation and sports. These are just some of the sites created or renovated under the Bulgaria-Turkey Cross-border Cooperation Programme managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, aimed at developing tourism in the Strandzha-Sakar region. Investments in various settlements in the regions of Burgas, Yambol and Haskovo amounted to nearly BGN 4.8 million. With the funds, dozens of local landmarks - archaeological, cultural and natural - have been turned into tourist attractions. Some of the projects cover settlements along the southern Black Sea coast, allowing for a combination of sea-mountain holidays and encouraging an increase in tourism in border regions.
Nearly BGN 430 thousand from the programme were invested in the project of the Municipality of Kameno, with which at the foot of the medieval fortress Rusokastro were built an outdoor classroom, training ground, amphitheater, playground and sports traction - archery, rock climbing wall. Visitors can also see the specially made scale model showing the heyday of the fortress near the village of the same name, which was built on the site of an ancient Thracian sanctuary. Additional reconstruction and socialisation activities have been carried out. Among the most interesting finds uncovered during the exploration of the fortress so far are a tablet of a Thracian horseman, a Viking sword and a lead seal of King Peter with the face of Christ. Many of the artifacts are exhibited in the Burgas History Museum.
The project of the Municipality of Primorsko “Our Historical Heritage”, financed with more than BGN 470 thousand from the cross-border program, shows how the house of politician Stratti Dimitrov looked like and how his fellow citizens appreciate his contribution to the development of the village of Novo Panicharevo. Under it, the house of the deputy in three National Assemblies in the last century was completely renovated. The building, a cultural monument, houses an ethnographic exhibition. Dimitrov was the biggest donor and benefactor of the village and contributed greatly to its improvement and economic development. To him is due the construction of the first bridge in the protected area “Poda”, habitat of more than 265 species of birds, in 1898. And today, Novo Panicharevo continues to impress with a paved main street, the representative buildings of the town hall, the community center and the park, which can be reached by a rope bridge over the Ropotamo River.
Nearly BGN 1.6 million are the projects won by Tsarevo Municipality. With the funds, part of Tsarevo Park has been renovated with paths, recreation and entertainment areas. A petanque playground, a large chess board with pieces, as well as tables for playing backgammon and chess were built. Thus, an attractive, modern and secured waterfront space has been created, which combines recreational and entertainment opportunities for the residents and guests of Tsarevo. A new bicycle lane between Tsarevo and Arapya was also built under the programme. Access to the cultural and historical sites of the “Old Mill” and the “Temple” in the Vasiliko district has been improved. In the town of Ahtopol, with the funding provided, access to a late antique and medieval fortress was rehabilitated. Particularly attractive are the renovated staircases with natural stone, wrought iron lanterns, recessed lighting, etc.
With nearly BGN 1 million from the programme the City Garden of Yambol was renovated together with the pedestrian bridge over the Tundja River at its entrance. The reconstruction and architectural and artistic design of the garden bridge and the space in front of the city park was carried out under the municipality's project. The new look of the bridge makes a smooth transition between the urban and park environment, becoming an attractive place for residents and visitors.
Several tourist initiatives have been implemented in the Municipality of Mineral Baths, in which more than BGN 930 thousand have been invested. Among the renovated sites are the Roman fortress “Holy Spirit” (Toplikos). The place offers impressive lighting and mapping programs, various music, theatre and dance events. For lovers of healthy tourism, the programme has also built a 15-kilometre eco-trail along the route village of Bryastovo - Uzun dere - Probit Kamak locality - Eagle Rocks locality with a diversion to Aykaas locality.
With over BGN 680 thousand Municipal History Museum - Topolovgrad promotes “Natural, cultural and historical landmarks in Sakar Mountain”. The project created an area for active recreation and outdoor activities in the locality “Plocest” near Topolovgrad. An area of over 12 acres has been created for games and events in nature, equipped with seating, shelters, a playground and barbecue facilities. A volleyball, basketball and football field have been built, paths and a model of a Thracian sanctuary have been created. Those wishing to visit the real Sakar Mountain can choose among seven routes described in the tourist guide to the Sakar Mountain prepared under the programme. Among them are the largest dolmens in Bulgaria - those near the village of Hlyabovo, the rock sanctuary of the sun “Paleokastro” and the waterfall Madzari.
With funding from the Bulgaria-Turkey Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, emblematic bridges in the region - the Old Bridge in Svilengrad and the Humpback Bridge in Harmanli - were renovated. Along the Old Bridge, an exhibition with the history of the town has been arranged, showing the ancient Via Diagonalis road and the Roman road station Burdenis. The Humpback Bridge in Harmanli was built more than 400 years ago and is an architectural masterpiece from the school of the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The structure was an important part of the Roman Via Diagonalis, later called the Constantinople Drum, which led to present-day Istanbul. After the restoration of the bridge, the marble inscription in Old Turkish, which reads: “The world is a bridge over which the way of the king and the poor passes”, was restored to its splendour.
More than half a million BGN from the Programme have been invested in the development of the tourist complex “Aquae Calidae” near Burgas. Under the project of the Regional Historical Museum Burgas restoration, conservation and creation of tourist infrastructure accessible to visitors to the archaeological excavations in the medieval fortress “Aquae Kalide Terma” was carried out. Innovative activities have also been carried out on the digitization of artifacts and archaeological finds in order to ensure maximum access to the cultural and historical heritage with the introduction of information and communication technologies. Among the activities implemented is the drainage and restoration of the Roman-era cold pool. Passageways have been constructed between the main parts of the site and the structures at the lowest levels. They also allow visitors to explore previously hidden parts illuminated by decorative lighting. Special 3D scanning equipment and a powerful server have been bought with European funds to digitise the artefacts from Aquae Calidae. Today, the museum's digital library contains 127 objects that represent 2,000 years of the site's history, from the Thracian settlers to the Ottoman Empire. And through modern information points, the collection is shown to visitors digitally.