Nessebar is located on a small peninsula on the Black sea coast between the cities of Varna and Bourgas, at a distance of 20 km from the international airport near Bourgas. Nessebar is one of the oldest settlements in Europe, founded 3000 years old b.c. It is the successor of the ancient Thracian settlement Mesembria, which means the town of Melsa. Mesembria became a Bulgarian town for the first time in 705, in accordance with the agreement of Chan travel and Emperor Justinian II. The churches and monuments in the ancient town of Nessebar are examples of the architectural and artistic influence of the Greek, Roman and Byzantium era and they attract thousands of pilgrims and tourist every year. Because of that in 1983 the town was included in the list of Global Cultural and Natural Heritage.

 

The climate is temperate continental, strongly influenced by the Black sea, as well as the air currents moving in from of Mediterranean. The air temperature rarely goes above 30°C – the average daily temperature in summer months is 28°C. The average temperature of the sea water is 23°C. There are no significant temperature amplitudes. The light sea breeze in the late afternoon refreshes the air and makes the nights cool.

 

Basilica St. Mary Eleusa

It is situated on the northern coast of the peninsula. Long is 28 meters wide - 18 meters and has the shape of three-nave basilica with three apses and the narthex (entrance) and the two vessels are side by two smaller apses (north and south). The church was located on a landslide and now it is only the foundations remaining. Recent excavations and surveys were completed in 1920, after which the temple was partly restored and preserved.

 

Church of St Sophia, also called "Old Metropolis"

" is also from the V century. It is almost over and is perhaps the most impressive of all the churches of Nessebar. Today is the centre of town. Debt is over 25 meters and 22 meters wide. Colonnade and arches have graced its three ship was built of stone and brick, and its floor was covered with mosaics.

 

Church of St. John the Baptist

was built in XI century and is a typical cross church. It is nave and has four brick pillars supporting the whole dome. The church has preserved fragments of frescoes dating from the XIII century. The church is set a small archaeological museum.

 

Church of St. Stephen, called "The New Metropolis"

was built in XI century and is located near the port. It is also nave and exterior decoration is so picturesque that future launches of Nessebar typical style of the building and embellishment of churches of later times. Ceramic figures of different colours, Majolica pottery and enamelled tiles are embedded as curves on the front of the church, dividing the architectural and decorate its components. The main frescoes are dated in 1599 bishop’s throne and the altar made of wood and are made later in XVII century.

 

Church of St. Paraskeva

It is a small building with a nave and a narthex five sides apse. Ornamentation is entered in natural architecture of the building. Consoles with small arches gently propped the top of the dome and create the impression of children’s sands castle.

 

Church of St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel

was also erected in the XIII century. It located close to the church of St. Paraskeva and exterior decoration like it. The church represents a cross-building, with two entrances (north and south), one vessel and three small polyhedral apses with holes in them. In the past, had a dome and bell tower from which today is only the base remained.