If we are talking about nations in which history is breathed in every corner, arriving in Bulgaria is equivalent to discovering a treasure. This Balkan nation has amazing natural landscapes among its potentialities. Surrounding the shores of the Black Sea, it opens its territory between imposing mountains and mighty rivers. But among the curiosities of Bulgaria, those related to its historical and cultural heritage stand out with greater potential. Today in Supercurioso we wanted to navigate through the most interesting curious facts about Bulgaria, traveling through the secrets of an ancient and enigmatic country. Can you come with us?
20 Curiosities of Bulgaria that you will want to know
Between structures that are erected as World Heritage of Humanity, cities with samples of architecture from other times, small towns with rural charm and a delicious typical foodthe curious facts of Bulgaria present us with a destination that is as little crowded as it is fascinating. In its history we find the most varied cultural influences: Greeks, Slavs, Ottomans and Persians added to the construction of a diverse culture, in which churches, buildings, food, dances, music, costumes and crafts are combined, to generate the immediate surprise and admiration of travelers. Join us on this cultural journey through the best curiosities of Bulgaria.
1. A very old city
Between the Bulgarian cities we find many cities full of history. Plovdiv, Burgas or Varna stand out among them. But among the curious facts of Bulgaria, we have to its beautiful capital, Sofia, is one of the oldest in all of Europe. Its churches, monasteries and streets are silent witnesses of millennia of urban growth.
If you dare to explore the city of Sofia, you cannot miss a walk through the National Theater and the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, places that will undoubtedly take your breath away.
2. The oldest name
The Republic of Bulgaria, nestled in southeastern Europe, is the nation that bears the oldest name of any country on the European continent. It is recognized in the same way since its foundation, in the year 681 AD.
3. An ancient treasure
And we continue with the curious facts about Bulgaria, this time telling you about a millennial treasure, the oldest known to humanity.
It is about the discovery of 294 tombs that are over six thousand years old, and in which more than three thousand solid gold objects were foundeither. This lavish treasure was found in the city of Varna, by the Black Sea. Currently the pieces rest in the Varna Archeology Museum.
4. The invention of the digital computer
In the universe of technology, there are many inventors who have made phenomenal contributions. But It was precisely a Bulgarian who is credited with creating the first electronic digital computer. It was the physicist and engineer John Vincent Atanasoff. The invention of the first digital wristwatch.
5. The best yogurt in the world
Have you heard about Bulgarian yogurt? Well, among the curiosities of Bulgaria we have to It is the producing country of which it is classified as the best yogurt of the world. This is attributed to the fact that it is produced based on the Lactobacillus bulgaricus bacterium, which can only be found in this country, and which gives it its characteristic flavor and consistency.
6. The Baba Marta Festival
As is the case practically everywhere in the world, the arrival of the spring It is a time of celebration and colors. Among the curious facts about Bulgaria, we have one linked to this beautiful time of year. Every first of March, the Bulgarians celebrate the Baba Marta Festival, a party of pagan origin with which they receive this long-awaited season. They maintain as a tradition, gifting themselves with curious white and red thread bracelets called martenitsas. They keep them on their wrists until they see a stork or a flowering tree. When this happens, they tie the bracelet to a tree branch.
7. Bulgaria as a powerhouse in perfumes
And here we come to one of the most interesting curiosities of Bulgaria. It turns out that it is in this country, specifically in the region known as the Valley of the Roses, where between 70% and 85% of the world’s rose oil is produced. It is a fundamental component for the manufacture of most of the commercial perfumes that we know.
8. The addition of the country to the European Union
Despite being an ancient nation, one of the most interesting facts about Bulgaria is the fact that It was the penultimate country to join the European Union, in 2007. Only Croatia followed, joining in July 2013.
9. Historic cathedrals
Much of Bulgaria’s architectural wealth can be seen in the construction of its sumptuous churches. Among them stands out the Alexander Nevski Cathedral of Sofia, symbol of the capital and one of the ten largest Orthodox cathedrals in the world
10. How do Bulgarians agree and deny?
One of our favorites among the curiosities of Bulgaria, has to do with a gesture deeply rooted in its nationals. It is about the way of agreeing or denying with gestures, which for Bulgarians is the other way around! They move their heads to the sides to say yes, and up and down to say no.
11. Participation in soccer
Although not counted among the great champions, the Bulgarian soccer team has had quite respectable participations in the world championships. Stand out for example the 1994 World Cup, held in USA and where Bulgaria reached fourth place.
12. More of the soccer tradition
And another of the curious facts about Bulgaria related to the passion for soccer is the fact that in the 1994 World Cup, one of his players, Hristo Stoichkov, became the top scorer, with a total of six goals scored. In addition, Stoichkov won the Ballon d’Or as the best European footballer that same year.
13. The landscape of the Seven Rila Lakes
In Bulgaria we find endless enchanting destinations, which with their urban and natural beauty conquer even the most experienced globetrotter. But one of our favorites is the Seven Rila Lakes route. It is a group of seven beautiful glacial lakes, located in different parts of the Rila Mountain, at more than two thousand meters of altitude. This is one of the places most frequented by locals and visitors.
14. The national drink
And we enter the curiosities of Bulgaria related to gastronomy, talking about the Rakia, a powerful alcoholic drink that is considered an emblem of the country. It is made from fermented fruit, and when it is produced by a distillery, it reaches 40% alcoholic strength. However, There are many Bulgarians who prefer to make artisan Rakia, and in the homemade version it can exceed 80% alcohol content.
15. The most accurate calendar in history
And when it comes to awards, Bulgaria has a very special one. In the year 1976 UNESCO declared the ancient Bulgarian calendar the most accurate in the world, surpassing others of greater renown such as the Mayan Calendar.
16. The most typical musical instrument
Traditional music and indigenous dances are a vital part of Bulgarian culture. We add to this list of curious facts about Bulgaria, the picturesque national instrument of the country. This is the Gaida, more commonly known as Bagpipes. So ingrained is this instrument in the culture of the region, that it reaches the autochthonous musical manifestations of all the Balkans, being seen in countries such as Bosnia, Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Turkey.
17. A paradise of springs
The Bulgarian lands, in addition to being filled with vast areas of forests and vegetation, are also a pure and natural source of water. It is the second country in Europe with the largest number of natural springs, second only to Iceland. In total, we find more than 600 springs throughout the republic.
18. A small territory
We move on to one of the curiosities of Bulgaria linked to its history, to tell you that in ancient times, before the country fell under Ottoman rule, it had a surface area that was double its current size. So great was the Bulgarian nation, that its borders were washed by the Aegean, Adriatic and Black seas.
19. Bulgarian genes on Facebook
And among the most picturesque interesting facts about Bulgaria, we have to the founder of the macro corporation Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is of Bulgarian origin. Even his name is inspired by his Bulgarian grandfather, Marco, who emigrated from the country in 1940.
20. A commendable act in World War II
We close this cultural journey through the Bulgarian lands, its history, customs and curiosities, with a piece of information that will fill you with pride. During the war of World War II, Bulgaria was one of the two countries that, despite being on the German side, it protected its Jewish citizens and inhabitants, preventing them from being sent to Nazi concentration camps.
The magic of nature, culture and history are present in Bulgaria, a land full of corners and enigmas to discover, that conquers with its peculiar beauty.
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