General information and infrastructure
Territory - 530 sq. km
Number of population centers -13
Population- 14,209
Administrative center - Sozopol town
Sozopol Municipality is located in the north-eastern part of Bourgas District. Its beach resources are among the largest on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. The Port of Sozopol, which is of regional importance, is situated on the territory of the Municipality. It is used for passengers', tourists' and freight transportation. There are seven ship berths and a harbor station with a border checkpoint. Yacht harbors and piers for the fishermen's boats have been developed in the town of Sozopol, the village of Chernomorets and Atia bay. An excellent motorway 1-9, which is part of the European road network, passes through the Municipality.
Economy and business
Tourism, hotel and restaurant management play an important role in the Municipality. Fishing and fish processing industry are also developed by Ribex Group and Ding. The parquet factory in the village of Kroushevets conducts successful business. Game breeding industry is the basis for the development of international hunting tourism. A plantation for aquacultures and mussel fields have been created. The municipality has interest in two joint-stock companies, which work on the development of holiday camps.The arable land is 2,750 km and the forests are 2,490 sq. km.
Strategic projects and opportunities for foreign investments
Reconstruction of the Archaeological Museum - the town of Sozopol; Conservation, restoration, exhibition and improvement of the Antique and Christian Compound; Creation and promotion of the cultural tourist product in the town of Sozopol; Public works on the amphitheatre space around the Fisherman's House - the town of Sozopol; Completion of the church in the village of Ravadinovo; Waste Water Treatment plant - the towns of Sozopol and Chernomorets; New opportunities for alternative employment in the tourism industry of permanently unemployed youth.
Natural sights and monuments of culture
The seaside area of the Municipality extends between Atia and Maslen cape. Its lowland parts are gradually replaced by the heights of Strandja Mountain. The sea water abrasion has formed numerous peninsulas, islands, rocky capes, picturesque bays and lakes. St. John's island, which is the largest Bulgarian island, is situated there. A variety of under-water plants have been preserved in this sea area. Sozopol is the oldest town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It emerged as a Thracian settlement in 13-11 century BC. Its narrow and short cobbled streets with the typical Sozopol houses render authentic appearance to the old town. It is remarkable for its many churches. St. George's Church is the oldest one, still functioning, which was built in 1828 on the site of a basilica from the Early Christianity period, with a marble altar from 330 AD. St. Marina Chapel was built in honor of the patron of the town. During its reconstruction in 1969 it was discovered that it was built on the site of an antique temple. St. John Monastery was built on the island with the same name. A big Thracian sanctuary was discovered close to it. Saint Virgin Mary Church and Saint Zosim Church are of particular interest. The architectural and historical compound called Southern Fortress Gate is also visited by many tourists. The examined tombs and the archeological finds from Apoloniya Pontica Necropolis on the territory of Harmanite beach date from the period of the 5th - 6th century BC.
Environmental Protection and Tourism
There are 32,000 beds for accommodation in Sozopol Municipality. New family hotels, villas and holiday camps are being built. The number of four- or five-star hotels increases. Accommodation can be found in the town of Sozopol, Dyuni (Dunes) holiday camp, the village of Chernomorets and the village of Ravadinovo. The camping sites on the Black Sea coast - Kavatsite, Smokinya, Vesselie, Gradina, Zlatna Ribka - are visited by large numbers of holidaymakers. Rural tourism has been successfully developed in the Strandja villages of Indzhe Voivoda and Vurshilo. New tourist routes are being developed.
Associations, memberships, twin-cities and partnerships
Twinned Cities: Gutenstein Municipality, Austria; the town of Shklov, Byelorussia; 8th district of Budapest, Hungary, Moriese, France; and Olomouc, the Czech Republic.
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