nesebor

Nesebor, also spelled Nessebar, is a historic town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, located in Burgas Province and serving as the administrative center of Nesebar Municipality. The town sits on a narrow peninsula extending into the sea and is linked to the mainland by a thin isthmus, creating a compact historic core surrounded by water on three sides.

Historically, the site has been occupied since antiquity. It began as a Thracian settlement and later developed under Greek and Roman influence as a trading port. In the Middle Ages it was a flourishing city under Byzantine and Bulgarian rule, before becoming part of the Ottoman realm and eventually the modern Bulgarian state. The old town preserves a dense urban fabric of stone houses, winding lanes, and a number of churches and public buildings dating from late antiquity to the early modern period.

In 1983, the Old Town of Nessebar was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its well-preserved medieval urban ensemble and its significance for the cultural history of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The town is renowned for its architectural variety, including fortifications, waterfront houses, and religious monuments, reflecting a long history of cultural exchange.

Today, Nesebor is a major tourist destination, blending a well-preserved historic core with seaside resorts. The municipality encompasses both the historic center and newer residential and resort areas, and the local economy is heavily oriented toward tourism, services, and fishing. Access is via road from Burgas and nearby airports, with ferry connections available along parts of the coast.