Bulgarian Culture
Bulgarian Archaeology 
The culture of Bulgaria has very deep roots. It is known that some 100,000 to 40,000 years BC, during the Middle Paleolithic Period, the lands of what is today's Bulgaria were already occupied by man. Later, during the Neolithic Period, the peoples of the region became more settled and developed. By the end of the 2nd millennium BC, the territory of present-day Bulgaria was inhabited by Thracian tribes, and their burial tumuli and rock sanctuaries remain some of the most striking early archaeological monuments in the country. Later, during the 2nd century BC to 4th century AD, the region of today's Bulgaria fell under the control of the Roman Empire, and their legacy is witnessed by scattered remains throughout the country. |
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Bulgarian Architecture 
Bulgaria's architecture has evolved over the centuries from a merger of Roman, Proto-Bulgarian, Slavic, medieval and Ottoman elements and traditions. With their creations, whether they are houses, churches, bridges or fountains, the local master builders sort to combine functionality with great aesthetic beauty. Bulgaria's architecture reached its zenith during the 18th and 19th century, when the growing prosperity of a section of society gave rise to the National Revival Style, with their overhanging eaves, bay windows and rich interior decorations. Some of the finest examples of such houses can be seen in towns such as Plovdiv, Koprivshtitsa and Melnik. |
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Bulgarian Monasteries 
Bulgarian monasteries have survived a long and turbulent history, and have, over the centuries, been guardians of Bulgarian culture. The first monasteries on the present day territory of Bulgaria were actually founded before the establishment of a Bulgarian state. During the latter half of the 4th century several rock monasteries such as those at Aladzha and Ivanovo were functioning in Bulgaria. With the foundation of the First Bulgarian Kingdom, and the subsequent adoption of Christianity as the official state religion in the 9th century, the number of monasteries in Bulgaria blossomed. Sadly, the majority of these Bulgarian monasteries were later burnt down during the occupation of Bulgaria by the Ottoman Turks. However, thankfully many of the Bulgarian monasteries were later rebuilt, and today the monasteries of Bulgaria remain not only as unique cultural and historic monuments, but as important treasure-houses of art, preserving priceless examples of frescoes, icons and woodcarving.
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Bulgarian Villages 
The heartland of Bulgarian culture is in the villages of rural Bulgaria. Rural Bulgaria is a land of villages and hamlets, a pastoral paradise where picturesque stone-built cottages lie clustered together on the mountainsides, tucked in behind the shelter of extensive forests, and surrounded by a rich tapestry of lush green meadows and dark brown cultivations. Here, through their skill and diligence, the local people eke out a living from the land, using traditional means and methods that have been passed down over successive generations. To visit rural Bulgaria is to step back in time, a chance to sample a rural idyll, and an opportunity to taste the pure delicious local produce & cuisine!
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Bulgarian Folk Crafts 
No description of Bulgarian culture would be complete without reference to the rich tradition of folk crafts in Bulgaria. The origins of many of the traditional Bulgarian folk crafts can be traced back through the centuries. The ancient Thracians were renowned for their amazing metal-working skills, as testified by the numerous priceless golden artefacts that have been discovered in Thracian tombs and tumuli. Other handicrafts, such as wood carving, weaving and textile-making, are all typical village skills and everyday occupations that have been learnt and mastered by ordinary Bulgarian people to produce everyday items for themselves. Ironically, the zenith of the Bulgarian handicraft tradition was during the dark centuries of the Ottoman occupation. The Ottoman Empire provided a rich market for Bulgarian crafts, and the craftsmanship of the Bulgarian masters was widely renowned. Today, the Bulgarian handicraft tradition continues, not only in the works of professional master craftsmen, but also in many ordinary village homes, where men and women still keep alive the traditional skills producing wonderful craft items for their own domestic needs. Although the wonderful traditional national costumes may not be worn any longer on a daily basis but simply reserved for folk festivals and other special occasions, the majority of Bulgarian crafts continue to be functional and have a purpose and popularity. |
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Bulgarian Food 
The Bulgarian cuisine is part of the Bulgarian cultural heritage. Bulgarian food is a reflection of the geographical location of country. Bulgaria’s warm climate and fertile soil have provided ideal conditions for the development of agriculture, and in particular a wonderful variety of fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits, all of which help to give Bulgarian cuisine its delicious taste. Furthermore, the location of Bulgaria, nestled into the south-eastern corner of Europe, and its position at a crossroads on the continent, have enabled a variety of other cuisines to find there way into and influence Bulgarian food. The food one finds in Bulgaria is, therefore, an appetizing blend of traditional local and regional specialities, juxtaposed with Turkish, Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.
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Bulgarian Wine 
Wine production plays an important part in Bulgarian culture. Viticulture and the production of wine have a very long history in Bulgaria, their roots going back to the Thracian period. Thanks to a favourable combination of local micro-climates and soils, Bulgaria offers ideal conditions for the cultivation of high quality grapes and the production of fine wine. Over the years, the Bulgarian wine industry has steadily developed, so that today Bulgaria ranks as the second largest exporter of bottled wine in the world after France. Bulgaria is best known for its red wines, which not only include excellent Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, but also interesting local wines such as Gamza, Mavrud, Melnik and Pamid. Bulgarian white wines do not have as high a reputation as the red wines, but it is considered that they are improving. Typical white wines include varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling, but there are also local wines such as Misket, Ottonel, and Dimiat.
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