Bulgarian Roses And Donkeys

'Bulgarian rose oil is very popular and widely used by perfume producers all over the world. It is taken from the Rosa Damascena, which is grown near the towns Karlovo and Kazanlak. At the end of may in this region there are celebrations honouring the rose.'

Even though I've swapped for this one cos of the donkeys, and didn't even see roses as a possible theme, I am thankful to Evgeniya for writing this information on the back :) благодаря!

UNESCO - Pirin National Park, Bulgaria

The World Heritage property covers an area of around 40,000 ha in the Pirin Mountains, southwest Bulgaria, and overlaps with the undeveloped areas of Pirin National Park. The diverse limestone mountain landscapes of the property include over 70 glacial lakes and a range of glacial landforms, with many waterfalls, rocky screes and caves. Forests are dominated by conifers, and the higher areas harbour alpine meadows below the summits. The property includes a range of endemic and relict species that are representative of the Balkan Pleistocene flora.

There is no signature on the card so I don't know who to thank for this fantastic panoramic card - but whoever and wherever you are, I am grateful to you  :)

UNESCO - Rock-Hewn Churches Of Ivanovo, Bulgaria

In the valley of the Roussenski Lom River, in north east Bulgaria, a complex of rock-hewn churches, chapels, monasteries and cells developed in the vicinity of the village of Ivanovo. This is where the first hermits had dug out their cells and churches during the 12th century. The 14th-century murals testify to the exceptional skill of the artists belonging to the Tarnovo School of painting.

One of those places you rarely come across on sites about travelling, even though they look utterly fascinating. Lilia did so much for my Bulgarian section of Unesco sites :)

UNESCO - Srebarna Nature Reserve, Bulgaria

The Srebarna Nature Reserve is a freshwater lake adjacent to the Danube and extending over 600 ha. It is the breeding ground of almost 100 species of birds, many of which are rare or endangered. Some 80 other bird species migrate and seek refuge there every winter. Among the most interesting bird species are the Dalmatian pelican, great egret, night heron, purple heron, glossy ibis and white spoonbill.

I am especially curious about the Dalmatian pelican! On some weeks it just so coincides that I receive many postcards from one particular country, lately it has been Bulgaria - and all the cards are just so excellent, what a beautiful country. I have Irina to thank for this new unesco card :)

Melnik, Bulgaria

Melnik is a town in Blagoevgrad Province, southwestern Bulgaria, in the southwestern Pirin Mountains, about 440 m above sea level. The town is an architectural reserve and 96 of its buildings are cultural monuments. With a population of 385, it is the smallest town in Bulgaria, retaining its city status today for historical reasons.

The town is part of a tentative Unesco site 'The town of Melnik and the Rozhen Monastery'. I've received this lovely view many years ago via fb, thank you Anastassia :) I wouldn't want to visit just for its beauty - apparently they are known for producing a strong type of wine since at least 1346. The local wine from the varietal Broad Leave Melnik Vine was reportedly a Winston Churchil's favourite :)

UNESCO - Madara Rider, Bulgaria

 

The Madara Rider, representing the figure of a knight triumphing over a lion, is carved into a 100-m-high cliff near the village of Madara in north-east Bulgaria. Madara was the principal sacred place of the First Bulgarian Empire before Bulgaria’s conversion to Christianity in the 9th century. The inscriptions beside the sculpture tell of events that occurred between AD 705 and 801.

This is sort of a most 'specific' Unesco site where one postcard should be enough for representation...but it looks even more intriguing when you see the broader view of the cliff..! Would sure love to see it 'live' one day - as Nadezhda did, thank you lots!

UNESCO - Ancient City Of Nessebar, Bulgaria

This gorgeous view is of the ancient town Nesebar situated on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. It was inhabited in the Antiquity by the Thracians (6th cent. BC) who called it Menebria; and later by the Ancient Greeks  who called it Mesembria, under which name it was still known in the Middle Ages to Bulgarians and Byzantines. Its rich history is a result of it being on the frontier of a threatened empire on several occasions. As the sender would say - its a museum with streets :)

Thank you Yulia for hosting a group and sending such a great card, and the flower stamp is just lovely! :))

Bulgarian Folk Costumes

Historical town Koprivshtitsa (Bulgarian: Копривщица) in central Bulgaria is known for its folk music festivals, making it a very popular tourist destination. This photo was taken during one of those festivals in 2010 :) They look wonderful don't they..?! Thank you Nadezhda :)

The Belogradchik Rocks, Bulgaria

The Belogradchik Rocks are a group of strange shaped sandstone and conglomerate rock formations located on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) near the town of Belogradchik in northwest Bulgaria. Many rocks have fantastic shapes and are associated with interesting legends.

So much to see in Bulgaria...This site is on the Unesco's tentative list. Thanks so much again Lilia :) (was lucky to tag!)

UNESCO - Thracian Tomb Of Sveshtari, Bulgaria

Thracians were a group of Indo-European tribes, first mentioned in the epic poem Iliad (8th cent. BC) as allies of the Trojans against the Greeks. They inhabited central and southeastern Europe, and were regarded as warlike and ferocious (or barbarian). With time they became hellenized and slavicized and their language extinct.

The Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari is one of the many equisit Thracian archaeological finds in Bulgaria - dating from the 3rd century BC, it is a reminder of the culture of the Getae, the tribe in contact with Hellenism and Hyperborean culture. The tomb's architecture is unique, showing ten caryatids (female figures) and painted murals.

I would so love to see this! There's something endlessly fascinating about ancient peoples and random findings of their culture. The matching stamp is perfect, and additional female figures on stamps to follow the theme. Everything is just lovely, thanks again Lilia :)))

Bulgaria - Prohodna Cave & Donkeys

Its been hard lately to find any new donkey cards, but these two late additions are quite equisite :)))

The 2nd card is a great combination of wonders of nature & my favourite animal - Prohodna Cave is a karst cave situated in the Iskar Gorge, central Bulgaria. Its most notable feature are the two equal-sized holes in the ceiling, popularly known as Oknata or rather The Eyes Of God. I wonder what all those donkeys are doing there..!

Thank you Lilia, you are the main 'culprit' in making my collection of Bulgarian cards this great and enjoyable ;)

Views Of Bulgaria

Bulgarian national costumes from Rhodope District,

with Devil's Bridge over the Arda river

Sofia - Vitosha Mountain

Dragalevtsi Monastery

Wonderful layout of the Bulgarian national cuisine. Too many to name, but it sure looks delicious!

All three great Bulgarian postcards come from a private swap with Lilia/Childish - I absolutely love them & the wonderful stamps, thank you!! :))

More Donkeys, Yay

This was a great surprise from Claire! I have a substantial collection of UK donkeys but am always superhappy about any new addition :D

Another surprise, this time from Goran, sent from his holiday in Zadar :)

My first bulgarian donkey, from the Rhodope Mountains! And a lovely stamp to accompany it :)