Kazanluk Tomb. A Thracian tomb, dated to the late 4th-early 3rd century B.C. The murals in the burial chamber and in the corridor are of exclusive artistic value. The tomb is located in the Tyulbeto Hill near the town of Kazanluk. [more from UNESCO’s website]
Ivanovo Rock Churches. A rock monastery compound of the Holy Archangel Michael, with partially preserved churches. The murals in the Church of the Holy Virgin have been described as some of the most significant achievements of 14th century Bulgarian medieval art. The churches are located about 20 km away from the city of Rouse, east of the village of Ivanovo, in the rocks of the Rousenski Lom Nature Park.[more from UNESCO’s website]
Boyana Church. It has unique murals from 1259, considered among the masterpieces of medieval European painting. It is at a distance of about 8 km from the centre of the city of Sofia (in the Boyana residential district), in the foothills of Mount Vitosha. [more from UNESCO’s website]
Madara Horseman. A rock relief, cut into the Madara rocks on the northern slope of the Provadiisko Plateau at a height of 23 m. This is the most significant monumental piece of art from the early Middle Ages, unique of its kind in European cultural history. It is close to the village of Madara, about 16 km away from the city of Shoumen. [more from UNESCO’s website]
Rila Monastery. The most impressive monastery compound in Bulgaria of exceptional architectural and artistic merits. Founded in the 10th century, rebuilt in the 13th-14th century, a literary centre in the 15th century and completed in its present-day striking appearance during the 19th century. A spiritual centre of the Bulgarian people, it is located in the Northwest part of the Rila Mountain, about 20 km from the town of Rila and about 120 km from Sofia. [more from UNESCO’s website]
The Ancient City of Nessebur. An architectural, historical and archaeological reserve at the Black Sea coast with valuable archaeological relics from different periods, original churches from the 5th to the 17th century and authentic National Revival Period houses.[more from UNESCO’s website]
Sveshtari Tomb. A Thracian tomb from the first half of the 3rd century B.C. The central burial chamber has exceptionally lavish decoration and impressive caryatides in high relief. It is located close to the village of Sveshtari, 7 km northwest of the town of Isperih. [more from UNESCO’s website]
Sreburna Reserve. A biosphere reserve in the valley of the Danube, including the Sreburna Lake and its surroundings. It has been established for the preservation of rare plant and animal species. It is 16 km west of the town of Silistra. [more from UNESCO’s website]
Pirin National Park. It is part of the scenic Pirin Mountain. Located in the high parts of the Northern Mount Pirin, it is characterized by a specific relief and an inimitable plant and animal world. It also incorporates the Bayuvi Doupki-Dzhindzhiritsa Biosphere Reserve and the Yulen Reserve. [more from UNESCO’s website]
Images courtesy of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre