POMORIE
Known in antiquity as Anchialo (which was situated near the present-day
vineyards) it was established by Apollonia in 400 b.c. to counter the influence
of rival Messembria. The colony became wealthy producing salt - extracted
from the nearby lake - and wine for trade and export. Later renamed Paleokastro
(Old Fortress) by the Greeks, it was a thriving place and a regional administrative
center under the Romans, who knew it as Ulpia. The latter were so fond of
the curative mud that they minted coins depicting the healing nymphs. Destroyed
by barbarians, it was later rebuilt by the Byzantines in 784. The area was
the site of numerous battles between Bulgarians and Byzantines, the most
famous being in 917 when Tsar Simeon emerged victorious. A Bulgarian chronicler
of the period, Simeon Logofet, wrote: "The whole Byzantine army was
defeated and turned running, crying a frightful noise; some were stepped
on, others were killed by the enemy; it was bloodshed not seen for a long
time." Conquered by the Ottomans in 1453, Pomorie became the most important
town on the coast next to Varna. The heirs of the last Byzantine dynasty
chose to re-locate here after the Ottomans conquered Constantinople.
A fire in 1906 destroyed much of Pomorie or it would today most likely resemble
Nessebur. This is an inestimable loss as the "newer" construction,
consisting largely of crumbling industrial and residential buildings, makes
the approach into town something other than a pleasurable experience. Near
the eastern tip of the five kilometer-long peninsula, a picturesque ensemble
of a half-dozen Revival-style houses compensates somewhat for the blight
at the other end of town. In between, the center is bi-sected by the main
drag, Tsar Boris 1, which serves as the locus for locals and visitors who
rub shoulders with fishermen from the small harbor nearby. Farther north
is something of a beach but its iron-content ferrous sand can be uncomfortably
hot during summer.
Besides tourism, local mainstays include agriculture, salt production, fishing,
and wine production (Pomorie brandy and Dimyat white wine are excellent).
The curative mud and balneology spas attract primarily elderly visitors,
who don't seem to mind that there's not much else to do.
What to See and Do
Restitution of the building which formerly housed the Yavorov Museum, honoring
the poet who once worked in Pomorie as a telegrapher, has forced the museum
to relocate to another as-yet undetermined location. An annual poetry festival
is held in his honor.
Pomorie is famous for its mud therapy, known since Thracian times. The three-kilometer-long
lake has a 70% salt content, four times that of sea water. It yields an
ooze containing curative salts and hydrogen sulfide useful in treating arthritis
and sciatica. The local sanatorium, situated next to the lake in the north
part of town, is among the country's largest.
Just south of town near the Europa campground is a mound-topped Thracian
tomb. A 22 meter-long corridor leads to a 12 meter diameter hall with a
hollow cylindrical column in the center. The column, three meters in diameter
at the bottom, mushrooms out at the top where it connects to the rounded
ceiling and walls. Unique for its shape and building technique, it was constructed
during the 3rd century by Romans and probably belonged to a highly-placed
Thracian official in the regional Roman hierarchy. The empty tomb will be
opened once interior lighting and exhibits are installed.
The beach is interrupted by a series of closely-spaced rock jetties, presumably
constructed to protect the narrow strip of sand from washing away; however,
they also prevent waves from lapping the sand clean and the beach is dirty
and littered with bits of debris. When researched in mid-May, the campground
looked as if it had just hosted a convention of litterbugs.
At the other end of the spectrum is the Campground Aheloi (8 kms north,
near Aheloi village) which shows what a privatized venture can accomplish.
The caretaker and part-owner is in the process of equipping the bungalows
($4-5 per person) with TVs and refrigerators. Many of the 240 bungalows
-which include unusual dome-shaped structures - are contracted out to tour
groups and private firms, such as chocolate-maker Jacob Suchard. Given its
popularity, vacancies may be a problem; however, the expansive grounds do
have some 1200 lots for tents and camper caravans. The long, sweeping beach,
unfettered by rock jetties such as those at Europa, looks to be the cleanest
this close to Bourgas.
Food and Drink
Two restaurants of note are both located on Knyaz Boris I. Tsarevets (11am-2
and 5-11pm, closed Mon), near the ensemble of traditional houses, resembles
an old Bulgarian fortress and overlooks the sea. Peneka (tel 4910, daily
10am-midnight) closer to the center is bright and spacious with marble and
tile decor, good food and service.
The bus station is in the western outskirts of town.
The Monastery of Saint George, situated 500 meters east of the bus station,
was originally of medieval construction but now occupies more modern facilities
and is mainly of interest for its greenery-filled courtyard.
Reservations
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Please click on button Add comment and share with us your comments.
pomorie, jan alfing (19-08-2006, 05:39:34)
last year i was in pomorie.
it is a very nice place.
this year i go again. we want to buy a appartment in pomorie
pomorie, gerry a (24-10-2005, 13:01:04)
what a great place for relaxation, just sit and watch the world go by.
the best place for vacations, merita (22-05-2005, 12:03:19)
Last year i was in Pomorie. I was very happy because finally i found the bect place for vacations .
The people are great and the food is very delicious.
Pomorie, Freddy Johnson (09-05-2005, 00:04:33)
I have brought an apartment in the fabulous new development in Pomorie at the Sunset Resort. We spent a week there last year and had a wonderful time. Lovely people, lovely food and wine and cheap and wonderful sea views.
Once you visit, dont want to leave, atelenius (19-04-2004, 08:17:48)
I love Pomorie, it is great fun over there, very good location, affordable prices, wonderfull food, long beach, fantastic wether, beautifull people! Best place to visit on the Black sea coast. Pomorie is town of your dream summer holiday come true!
Pomorie is the best, Bojana (28-07-2003, 13:53:07)
I've spent my two last holidays in Pomorie! I'll go there next year, too!!! It is beautiful place, people are great, and I had so much fun!!!
pomorie, derek (05-04-2003, 06:41:57)
i lived in a village close to pomorie for twelve months and i loved it. we are now looking to buy a house in or around pomorie. the people were great and very friendly.
pofalba, Velimir (26-07-2002, 16:24:40)
ova e mesto za vasiot sovrsen odmor.
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