Founded by the Thracians some 2,500 years ago, Nessebur increased its prosperity under the rule of Greeks from Megara and Halkedon. Classified as a World Class Site by the UNESCO, this delightful town-museum on the Bulgarian south western coast is nestled into a picturesque peninsula about 850 metres long and 300 metres wide, and is linked to the mainland by a small isthmus. The timeless town of Nessebur is architecturally one of the most varied in the Balkans with Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Turkish and Bulgarian architectural styles freely intermingled.
Excavations of 1950-70-s have revealed dozens of monumental remnants from ancient and medieval times: well preserved churches and cathedrals, wealthy houses dating back to the 2nd century B. C. - 16th century A. D., fortification system. Visitors will be delighted to see the Old Metropolitan Church, the main medieval basilica of the town, standing where used to be the ancient Agora square, marvellous original 12-16th centuries frescoes of the Church of St. Stephen and the Cathedral of St. John Alliturgetos, graceful two-storey timbered houses of 18-19th centuries - remarkable specimens of the Black Sea architecture from the National Bulgarian Revival Period.
