published on 04.12.2007, 12:56 Author: Vanina Paskaleva Article rating:
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Nessebar is a town having its hundreds of years of history. The town is located north of Bourgas and south of the edge of Stara Planina Mountain and cape Emine.
The old part of town is located on a piece of land only 850 m long and 350 m wide. The area is connected to mainland by a narrow neck of land. Nessebar’s newer part is located on the shore and is expanding rapidly. Expansion has already led to a merger between Nessebar and the nearby resorts and towns.
Nessebar’s history dates back to almost 3000 years, when the town was found. In the end of the Bronze Age, the Thracians settled in the area and called the town Melsambria, after the name of its founder. During that time, the settlement had two harbours. Remains of ancient ships can still be found today.
Around the 6th century BC Melsambria turned into the town of Greek settlers, who changed its name to Messemvria.
Gradually the town turned into a powerful settlement and its rulers began minting coins. Some crafts developed during the time and the town’s inhabitants began constructing ships, churches and a theater.
A series of gold coins were minted in the 3rd century BC. The development indicates that Messemvria gained power and prosperity. Traders managed to establish contacts with other merchants from towns located in the Mediterranean region, on the Black Sea and Eagan Sea coasts.
Romans conquered the town in the 1st century BC. In the coming hundred years, the settlement came under Roman governance. During the Roman period, Messemvria maintained is trade and cultural significance. Statues, engravings and the pedestal of emperor Claudius’ bronze statue reveal some of the activities going on at the time.
In a few centuries, the Roman empire moved its capital to Constantinople and Christianity became an official religion. Messemvria’s proximity to the capital favored the town’s development. Locals began constructing churches similar to those in Constantinople. The main town church is named St Sofia, just like the main church in the capital city.
After the formation of the Bulgarian state and in the few coming centuries, Messemvria’s state belonging often changed.
Bulgarians conquered the town for the first time in 812. Khan Kroum’s soldiers attacked successfully, after which Slavs and Bulgarians moved to Messemvria and changed its name to Nessebar.
During the rule of tsar Simeon, the town once again became part of Bulgaria.
Nessebar developed trade relations with Mediterranean and Adriatic cities during the 12th and 13th centuries. It also improved relations with domains north of the Danube. During the time, local settlers constructed a number of churches among which St. Stefan and St. Yoan.
In the 13th century, Nessebar became part of Bulgaria for a period of 60 years. In the 13th and 14th centuries several new churches were constructed, among which St. Petka, St. Todor St. Arhangel Mihail and St. Arhangel Gavrail. Some of the churches resemble the ones in Turnovo, Bulgarian capital at that time.
During the reign of tsar Ivan Alexander, the town benefited from the construction of yet other churches. The region turned into a religious center, since the several monasteries located near Nessebar acted as training centers for Bulgaria’s patriarchs to-be.
Historians believe that throughout time, 40 churches have been constructed in Nessebar. Information about only 26 of them has been preserved till present time. In addition, Nessebar hosted a religious residence.
Ottomans conquered the city in 1453. During the centuries of Ottoman rule, Nessebar managed to maintain its growth. Church construction was ongoing and trade relations with other cities were maintained.
A number of houses, windmills and fountains from the time of the Bulgarian revival have been preserved.
In the end of the 19th century Nessebar was a small town. Its population made living mainly through agriculture and fishery. A new upsurge began in 1959, when the popular resort of Sunny Beach was set up near Nessebar.
Today Nessebar is seen as one of the most attractive destinations on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The shore line is nearly 4 km long.
Remains of fortresses and ancient buildings attract tourists, historians and archaeologists. The town has several museums that have collected historic and ethnographic artifacts. Some of them are the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum, the church St. Spas and the church St. Stefan, also functioning as museums.
Nessebar also has a municipal theater and dance school. Various cultural festivals take place there. These are:
- Music festival “Morski Strouni” taking place from May 14 to 16
- A pop-rock festival taking place every other year. It is held from June 3 to 5
- Retro cars festival, August 27 and 28
- Children’s festival “Slunce, radost, krasota” from June 15 to 19
- International honey festival from September 6 to 9
- Bulgarian fashion days, July
- Icon painting days, August
- National folklore festival, September 22 to 25
- Balkan children’s film and television festival, September 30 to October 2
- Marine days, August 2 to 8
- Nessebar’s holiday, August 15
The old part of town is located on a piece of land only 850 m long and 350 m wide. The area is connected to mainland by a narrow neck of land. Nessebar’s newer part is located on the shore and is expanding rapidly. Expansion has already led to a merger between Nessebar and the nearby resorts and towns.
Nessebar’s history dates back to almost 3000 years, when the town was found. In the end of the Bronze Age, the Thracians settled in the area and called the town Melsambria, after the name of its founder. During that time, the settlement had two harbours. Remains of ancient ships can still be found today.
Around the 6th century BC Melsambria turned into the town of Greek settlers, who changed its name to Messemvria.
Gradually the town turned into a powerful settlement and its rulers began minting coins. Some crafts developed during the time and the town’s inhabitants began constructing ships, churches and a theater.
A series of gold coins were minted in the 3rd century BC. The development indicates that Messemvria gained power and prosperity. Traders managed to establish contacts with other merchants from towns located in the Mediterranean region, on the Black Sea and Eagan Sea coasts.
Romans conquered the town in the 1st century BC. In the coming hundred years, the settlement came under Roman governance. During the Roman period, Messemvria maintained is trade and cultural significance. Statues, engravings and the pedestal of emperor Claudius’ bronze statue reveal some of the activities going on at the time.
In a few centuries, the Roman empire moved its capital to Constantinople and Christianity became an official religion. Messemvria’s proximity to the capital favored the town’s development. Locals began constructing churches similar to those in Constantinople. The main town church is named St Sofia, just like the main church in the capital city.
After the formation of the Bulgarian state and in the few coming centuries, Messemvria’s state belonging often changed.
Bulgarians conquered the town for the first time in 812. Khan Kroum’s soldiers attacked successfully, after which Slavs and Bulgarians moved to Messemvria and changed its name to Nessebar.
During the rule of tsar Simeon, the town once again became part of Bulgaria.
Nessebar developed trade relations with Mediterranean and Adriatic cities during the 12th and 13th centuries. It also improved relations with domains north of the Danube. During the time, local settlers constructed a number of churches among which St. Stefan and St. Yoan.
In the 13th century, Nessebar became part of Bulgaria for a period of 60 years. In the 13th and 14th centuries several new churches were constructed, among which St. Petka, St. Todor St. Arhangel Mihail and St. Arhangel Gavrail. Some of the churches resemble the ones in Turnovo, Bulgarian capital at that time.
During the reign of tsar Ivan Alexander, the town benefited from the construction of yet other churches. The region turned into a religious center, since the several monasteries located near Nessebar acted as training centers for Bulgaria’s patriarchs to-be.
Historians believe that throughout time, 40 churches have been constructed in Nessebar. Information about only 26 of them has been preserved till present time. In addition, Nessebar hosted a religious residence.
Ottomans conquered the city in 1453. During the centuries of Ottoman rule, Nessebar managed to maintain its growth. Church construction was ongoing and trade relations with other cities were maintained.
A number of houses, windmills and fountains from the time of the Bulgarian revival have been preserved.
In the end of the 19th century Nessebar was a small town. Its population made living mainly through agriculture and fishery. A new upsurge began in 1959, when the popular resort of Sunny Beach was set up near Nessebar.
Today Nessebar is seen as one of the most attractive destinations on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The shore line is nearly 4 km long.
Remains of fortresses and ancient buildings attract tourists, historians and archaeologists. The town has several museums that have collected historic and ethnographic artifacts. Some of them are the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum, the church St. Spas and the church St. Stefan, also functioning as museums.
Nessebar also has a municipal theater and dance school. Various cultural festivals take place there. These are:
- Music festival “Morski Strouni” taking place from May 14 to 16
- A pop-rock festival taking place every other year. It is held from June 3 to 5
- Retro cars festival, August 27 and 28
- Children’s festival “Slunce, radost, krasota” from June 15 to 19
- International honey festival from September 6 to 9
- Bulgarian fashion days, July
- Icon painting days, August
- National folklore festival, September 22 to 25
- Balkan children’s film and television festival, September 30 to October 2
- Marine days, August 2 to 8
- Nessebar’s holiday, August 15
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Nessebar