Location

St. Stefan’s Villas are situated 1,5 km south of Sozopol in the center of the most prettiest and prestigious part of villa area “Budzhaka”.There is a remarkable view over the Black Sea, Oldtown Sozopol, and its islands St. Ivan and St. Petar. Only 1 km south of us is located one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in the region of Sozopol – Kavatzite Bay, closed by Cape St. Christ and Cape St. Agalina. The seascape here is typical for an exotic beach – high dunes of pure wind-blown sand, widely spread all over the shore, each up to 5-6 m high. You can enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of the rare sand lily, which grows on the dunes.

Distances from:

Burgas – 35 km
Sozopol – 1,5 km
Kavatsi – 1 km
Ropotamo River and nature reserve – 20 km

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Sozopol

Sozopol is the oldest town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It originated as a Thracian settlement in the 13th-12th centuries BC. It was later called Apollonia by Greek settlers from Asia Minor, who colonized it in 610 BC.

The narrow and short cobblestone streets with the typical old Sozopol houses give romance and uniqueness to the old town. It is also notable for its many churches. The oldest, still operating today, is “St. George”, built in 1828 on an early Christian basilica, with a marble altar from 330 AD. In honor of the patron saint of the town, the chapel “St. Marina” was built. The largest and richest in history is the monastery “St. Ivan” on the island of the same name. A large Thracian sanctuary was discovered right next to it. Historians believe that it was on the island that the famous temple of Apollo was located, as well as an imposing statue of him.

The architectural and historical complex “South Fortress Wall” is also visited by many tourists.

A team of archaeologists annually explores the Apollonia Pontica necropolis in the area of Harmanite beach. The discovered graves and various archaeological finds date back to the 5th-4th centuries BC.

An interesting landmark for lovers of underwater tourism is the fabulous underwater forest, preserved in the city’s waters.

Today, Sozopol is a modern tourist village, which, with its unusual location and wonderful natural features, is an attractive center for Bulgarian and foreign vacationers.

Nature and Archaeological Reserve of St. Ivan Island

The island was placed under state protection by a decree published in issue 35/1965 of the State Gazette.

St. Ivan Island is the largest of the five islands on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast – 660 acres. It is an integral part of the life of ancient Apollonia and medieval Sozopol. Traces of a Thracian sanctuary – before the 7th century BC and a Greek temple – 5th century BC (probably dedicated to Apollo the Healer) have been discovered on it.

St. Ivan Island is the largest of the five islands on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast – 660 acres. It is an integral part of the life of ancient Apollonia and medieval Sozopol. Traces of a Thracian sanctuary – before the 7th century BC and a Greek temple – 5th century BC (probably dedicated to Apollo the Healer) have been discovered on it.

After 330 AD – the adoption of the Christian religion as equal to pagan cults – a Christian temple was built on the island, dedicated to “St. Virgin Mary Kaleosa”. In the 5th – 6th centuries, a monastery arose around the church, which in the 9th century became one of the most active literary centers in the Bulgarian lands.

The monastery survived the slavery (15th – 17th centuries), remaining an important center of literary activity. Twice – in 1623 and 1629 – the monastery was plundered and burned by Cossack pirates. In the same year, 1629, the Turkish authorities destroyed the monastery so that it would not serve as a refuge for pirates.

During the Russo-Turkish War of 1828 – 1829, a field hospital for the Russian army operated on the island of St. Ivan.

After 1985, partial archaeological excavations were carried out, revealing the remains of the two Christian churches, the library, the royal residence, etc.

Ropotamo Reserve

The territory of the reserve contains many interesting and unique natural sites – the Ropotamo River estuary, dense forests, which are very rare at this latitude, various rock phenomena, swamps, marshes, etc. The area around the Ropotamo River was declared a reserve in 1940. The reserve also includes Snake Island – a small rocky island in the Black Sea.

The reserve is home to many interesting and unique natural sites – the Ropotamo River estuary, dense forests, which are very rare at this latitude, various rock phenomena, swamps, marshes and others. The area around the Ropotamo River was declared a reserve in 1940. The reserve also includes Snake Island – a small rocky island in the Black Sea.

The Ropotamo River estuary is one of the main tourist attractions in the reserve. In the estuary area, the river is calm and deep. The banks are covered with dense dense forests, with a large number of lianas growing between the trees. In the shallower areas located near the shores, as well as in the areas where riverside lakes have formed, water lilies and marsh reeds grow. Over 100 species of plants found on the reserve are listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria.

The reserve is important from an ornithological point of view. Within the boundaries of the reserve, 257 species of birds are found, of which 71 species are listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria. Eight species of birds have been identified that are threatened with extinction on a planetary scale.