History and teachings
Sozopol is one of the oldest towns on Bulgarian Thrace’s Black Sea coast. The first settlement on the site dates back to the Bronze Age. Undersea explorations in the region of the port reveal relics of dwellings, ceramic pottery, stone and bone tools from that era. Many anchors from the second and first millennium BC have been discovered in the town’s bay, a proof of active shipping since ancient times.

The town was founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists from Miletus as Antheia (Ancient Greek: Ἄνθεια). The town established itself as a trade and naval centre in the following centuries and became one of the largest and richest Greek colonies in the Black Sea region. Its trade influence in the Thracian territories was based on a treaty dating from the fifth century BC with the Odrysian kingdom, the most powerful Thracian state. Apollonia became a legendary trading rival of another Greek colony, Mesembria, today’s Nessebar.

Cross-cultural dimensions
learning about ancient history, changes in architecture, different influences from the region; the effect of the country’s leadership, etc.

Useful information:
recommended for all; general; requires prior knowledge on the history of the city; accessible;

Within the city, public transportation available. Human resources, assistancenot required. Accessibility (for disabled) , preparedness of the staffaccessible, no staff assigned. Infrastructure, staff, safety measures, languages good infrastructure, not specific safety measures imposed, guided tours available in a number of languages