• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Bulgaria

Bulgarian Architecture - Nessebar
Nessebar

Bulgaria's architectural influence begins in about 600 BC with the Thracian city of Nessebar on the Black Sea. This settlement was later ruled by the Greeks, by whom most of today's ruins were built, and the Byzantines who also left a great deal of architecture that is still standing today. Nessebar is perhaps the beast place in Bulgaria to see all the architectural styles that made a lasting impact on the country.

The Byzantium influence in Bulgaria led to much of the population prescribing to Orthodoxy and much of the country's early architecture was orthodox churches and monasteries. The most striking of these is the Boyana Church near Sofia. This church was built in the 900s then expanded in the 1200s and again in the 1800s. It is widely considered one of the best examples of medieval architecture in Eastern Europe.

For much of the next few hundred years there were no strong influences on the buildings in Bulgaria that remain today. Along the Black Sea many buildings were made of wood and no longer stand today. Meanwhile, in the mountains, wood was also popular, although there were also numerous stone buildings, particularly churches, although few are strikingly different from other Byzantium or Eastern Orthodox churches.

This page was last updated: March, 2013