Sozopol historical places: ancient Apollonia and the old town
Sozopol historical places guide: ancient Apollonia from the 7th century BC, the Colossus of Apollo, the 19th-century wooden houses and the Apollonia Arts Festival.
Sozopol is one of the most history-rich stops on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Set on a small peninsula, its old town brings together the traces of ancient Apollonia, 19th-century wooden houses and narrow stone lanes. This past of more than two thousand years makes the town both a holiday and a history destination. This guide visits Sozopol's key historical sites in order.
Why is Sozopol an ancient town?
Sozopol was founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists from Miletus. The town was first named Antheia and soon came to be called Apollonia (Apollonia Pontica). This deep past makes Sozopol one of the oldest settlements on the western Black Sea coast and forms the foundation of the town's identity.
Ancient Apollonia was an independent Greek city-state that grew wealthy through sea trade. The town's name comes from the devotion to the Greek god Apollo. Over the centuries, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Bulgarian periods shaped the town's fabric. Today the traces of these ancient layers can be seen in the lanes of the old town and at the surrounding archaeological sites; Sozopol can almost be read like an open-air history book.
The Colossus of Apollo and the Roman period
Ancient Apollonia's most famous work was the great statue of Apollo erected in the 5th century BC. About 13 metres tall, this bronze colossus by the sculptor Calamis was a symbol of the town's power and wealth. The statue was taken to Rome in 72 BC by the Roman commander Marcus Lucullus.
Although the colossus was lost in the Early Christian period, it carries Apollonia's fame in the ancient world to this day. Roman rule added new layers to the town's architecture and life. The remains of walls, temples and houses uncovered in excavations around Sozopol show the scale of the town in antiquity. Ancient harbour and necropolis sites also reveal the wealth the town drew from sea trade.
The old town and the wooden houses
Sozopol's old town is a historic core rising on a narrow peninsula, known for its stone-paved lanes. The 19th-century wooden houses here were built in a style typical of the Bulgarian National Revival; with their stone ground floor and projecting wooden upper storeys, they give the town a distinctive fabric.
The lane ends opening to the sea frame fishing boats and the view of the Black Sea. The historic churches of the old town reflect the town's many-layered religious past. Many of these houses now serve as guesthouses, art workshops or restaurants. Walking the old town joins the layers from the ancient remains to the wooden-house architecture on a single route and lets you feel the town's distinctive atmosphere up close.
The Apollonia Arts Festival and today's Sozopol
Sozopol is also known for the Apollonia Arts Festival, held every September since 1984. Bringing together theatre performances, exhibitions, film and music events, the festival keeps the town's ancient name alive and makes Sozopol one of Bulgaria's important cultural centres.
During the festival, the lanes of the old town fill with artists and visitors. The nearby island of St. Ivan (Sveti Ivan) is a place of archaeological importance and can be seen from the coast. In summer, Sozopol draws great interest with both its historic fabric and its beaches. In this sense, the town is a lively Black Sea stop offering an ancient past and contemporary cultural life together.
How should you explore Sozopol?
The core of the visit is the old town on the peninsula; its narrow lanes, wooden houses and churches can be explored in a few hours at an easy pace. The ancient remains and museums add to this route. Thanks to its closeness to Burgas, Sozopol is easily included in regional trips.
The early morning suits making the most of the cool and avoiding crowds. The seaside paths and beaches combine with the history walk. Comfortable shoes help on the stone-paved, sloping lanes. In summer, checking the festival and events calendar in advance can enrich the visit. For more, see our city page on Sozopol.
FAQ
What ancient city was Sozopol?
Sozopol was founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists from Miletus. The town was first named Antheia, then Apollonia (Apollonia Pontica). This independent Greek city-state, grown wealthy through sea trade, is one of the oldest settlements on the western Black Sea coast and takes its name from the Greek god Apollo.
What was the Colossus of Apollo?
The Colossus of Apollo was a huge bronze statue of Apollo about 13 metres tall, erected in ancient Apollonia in the 5th century BC. A work of the sculptor Calamis, the colossus was a symbol of the town's power. It was taken to Rome in 72 BC by the Roman commander Marcus Lucullus and was lost in the Early Christian period.
What can you see in Sozopol's old town?
The old town on the peninsula is known for its stone-paved lanes, its 19th-century wooden National Revival houses and its historic churches. The lane ends opening to the sea frame fishing boats; many of the houses are now guesthouses, workshops or restaurants. Together with the ancient remains and museums, the old town can be explored in a few hours at an easy pace.