The City of Sofia
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Location and history The capital of Bulgaria – Sofia, has always been considered as a place with unique and strategic location. Sofia's development as a significant settlement owes much to its central position in the Balkans. Sofia lies on 550 m above sea-level and is situated in the Western part of Bulgaria in the Sofia Valley at the northern foot of the Vitosha Mountain. Surrounded by mountains on all sides but with mild climate, with many mineral springs issuing nearby and in close proximity to the capitals of neighboring countries, Sofia is one of the few cities with similar beneficial features. Sofia is sharing a parallel with Northern Italy and Southern France (towns like Marseille) and at the same time it is on a crossroad connecting two worlds – Europe and Asia. The roads from Istanbul to Western Europe and those from the Mediterranean countries to the North Eastern part of Europe and Russia pass through Sofia. Sofia is known to be one of the oldest cities in Europe. Founded thousands of years ago, today it tells stories of ancient times whose remnants can still be seen today. Sofia was originally a Thracian settlement called Serdica, named after the Thracian tribe Serdi. Around 500 BC another tribe settled in the region, the Odrysi, known as an ethnos with their own kingdom. For a short period during the 4th century BC, the city was possessed by Philip of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great. Around AD 29, Sofia was conquered by the Romans and renamed Ulpia Serdica. Serdica was of moderate size, but magnificent as urban concept of planning and architecture, with abundant amusements and active social life. It flourished during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, when it was surrounded with great fortress walls whose remains are still visible today. The city was destroyed by the Huns in 447 but was rebuilt by Justinian and renamed Triaditsa. Sofia first became part of the First Bulgarian Kingdom during the reign of Khan Krum in 809. Afterwards, it was known by the Slavic name Sredets and grew into an important fortress and administrative centre. Bulgaria fell to the Byzantine Empire in 1018, but once again was incorporated in 1186 into the restored Bulgarian Kingdom at the time of Tsar Ivan Asen I. From the 12th to the 14th century, Sofia was a thriving centre of trade and crafts. It was renamed Sofia (meaning "wisdom" in Greek) in 1376 after the Church of St. Sofia. Sofia was conquered by the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Murad I in 1382, becoming the capital of the Ottoman province (beylerbeylik) of Rumelia for almost 5 centuries. Sofia was liberated by Russian forces in 1878, during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), and became the capital of the autonomous Principality of Bulgaria in 1879, which became Kingdom of Bulgaria in 1908. During World War II, Sofia was bombed by Allied aircraft in late 1943 and early 1944, as well as later occupied by the Soviet Union. Since 1989 Bulgaria has been developing into a direction which finally led the country to become on January 01, 2007, an equal EU member. During the last years, Sofia undergoes a phenomenal economic growth and the portrait of unattractive post-communist city fades away, being replaced by the image of a modern most contemporary place for living and business.
Investments and development of the real estate market European companies actually struck Bulgaria long before its joining to EU. Now foreign investors yet more tangibly report the so important strategic position of Bulgaria and seriously consider its potential as an up-and-coming market. The business is booming and foreign investments are flooding in. 2.845 milliard Euro amount the direct investments in Bulgaria for the first nine months of 2006, show some preliminary researches. 3.9 milliard Euro were the property investments in Central and Eastern Europe for the first six months of 2006 according to expert real estate consulting companies. Bulgaria and Romania get 9,4 % of that sum (in comparison with 7 % for Russia). The main money stream (around 71 % from the capital invested in real estates) comes from countries like Great Britain, Germany, and Austria. All the energies had been thrown into making the Bulgarian market a competitive part of the global financial market and as a result leading investment companies find considerable potential in the property market for the next 5 to 10 years to come. What contributes so essentially for heightening the credit in Bulgaria is its political stability and constantly improving business environment. In the previous few years Sofia has become a very attractive place for investors and a significant share of the foreign finances turning to Bulgaria are directed to the capital. Today Sofia is a cosmopolitan city and the country` s economic center. In Sofia are located the administrations of the President, the Bulgarian Government, the Bulgarian Parliament. Here are concentrated the headquarters of all public administrative authorities, the Supreme courts, Bulgarian and international financial and bank institutions and also the head offices of a great number of foreign and local companies and organizations. Solid revenues expected from the European funds will be used for the modernization of the transport sector and the infrastructure. Some of the projects have already been started, among them is the ring-road of Sofia which is being expanded and eventually will hasten the overloaded car traffic in the city. The Metropolitan is also being developed; in particular the section passing through the city center which is expected to be completed by November 2007. The general scheme of the metropolitan railway lines consists of three diameters with general length 52 km and 46 metro stations. The rough estimations show that a general funds for over 300 million USD will be built on the object. Though Sofia dropped out of the competition for a host city of the 2014 Olympic Games, the construction of new winter sports facilities and the retrofit of the existing ones are taken up the run. The next Winter Olympics nomination of Sofia will include the ‘Super Borovets’ project, a grand undertaking for enlargement of the ski facilities in Borovets ski resort, situated only 40 minutes by car Southeast from the capital. Another infrastructural object of great importance is the Sofia Airport, where a new terminal was open in December 2006. The capacity of the terminal will be 2 600 000 people per annum and 26 000 tons of cargo goods and it could provide services even for the biggest aircrafts – Boeing 747, Boeing 767, Boeing 777 and Airbus 350. The project with overall cost of 110 million Euro will decrease the charges for customers’ services and will probably attract more investors in the aviation sector. Golf came to Bulgaria six years ago. The first long flight of the small golf ball in Bulgaria was on the 10th of June 2000, when Ihtiman golf course was opened. Ihtiman is located 48 km South from Sofia and 90 km West from Plovdiv. The course has 18 holes and has been certified by the American Golf Association. Its rating is 71.3 and the slope index is 131. The easy reach to the capital makes it one of the Sofia’s attractions. The success of this investment led to the creation of other golf courses, this time mainly along the Black Sea coast.
Why is Sofia your place for investments? • The capital has the largest potential of most qualified human resources and low level of unemployment of just 3 %. • The geographic location of Sofia also favors high investment returns. • The rental market is all year round and guarantees reasonable annual return. • Sofia is the only European capital which has ski runs only 20 minutes away from the city center. • The interest of second-home seekers and buy-to-let investors is constantly increasing. • The prices of immovable property in Sofia are now comparable to those in the famous Bulgarian ski resorts, being within the range 1000 – 1200 Euro per square meter for new apartments in the city and in the suburbs, while the prices for top location residential properties in highly preferred areas could reach up to 3300 Euro / m2. • Sofia`s economy is booming and the city seems to be one of the fastest developing property markets in Europe.
The EU membership The regional significance of Bulgaria and Sofia in particular increased even before the membership of Bulgaria in the EU became a fact. An inflow of diplomatic staff and international companies to Sofia has recently been observed. Companies such as Coca Cola, Shell, Nokia, Nestle, Microsoft, Google, Hewlett Packard, Deutsche Bank, Ernst & Young and many others have lately confidently opened offices in Sofia. The Bulgarian capital is following the same path as of other Eastern European capitals such as Warsaw and Budapest. The property market in countries like Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary was quite the same before they joined EU and experts believe that Bulgaria will share the same fate.
Speaking with figures The average price for a sq. m. in Sofia is 1100-1200 Euro, but of course, the price range is much wider (from 600 Euro up to more than 2000 Euro). Expert analysis indicates that there will be about 40 % increase of prices within 6 to 12 months after Bulgaria` s joining to the EU. The economic importance of the capital’s location has become even greater for the last five years thanks to the significant privatization of businesses and accordingly the increased number of foreign investments. Currently, many real estate investing companies are targeting properties in Bulgaria and mainly apartments and plots of land within a short radius from the capital Sofia. The excellent potential of investing in a city apartment is obvious to private individuals as much as it is to large companies. Only a quick glance at some statistics would be enough to notice that. The monthly rentals for apartments have doubled for only 3-4 years time and that it was before Bulgaria joined the EU. It is practically possible to make money from real estates with no money down, having in mind that you can easily rent out an apartment for 200-300 Euro a month (rentals vary from 150-1500 Euro per month). That could be quite enough to settle your mortgage payments. A city apartment on the other hand has its own special features in comparison to resort apartments. While resort apartments are seasonal, a city apartment could be rented out all year round and although the daily rental income would be much lower it would have the same return in the end of the year. This grants a minimum investment risk and 7-9 % annual return. On the other hand, buying a property not only in Sofia but anywhere in Bulgaria is a good investment itself with the constant increase of real estate prices on the Bulgarian property market.
The construction of new residential buildings is continuously on the increase. Prices are in all stable, yet more intensely growing in the upper class of residential properties and in the most prestigious areas of Sofia. The top location off-plan double-room apartments register the biggest price growth - nearly 30 % for 2006. In the next few years the residential properties market will become more differentiated as it comes to prices and districts. Analyses predict that another determinant moment for the development of the property market will be the acceptance of the Euro in 2010. Main part of all the property deals falls to trading centers and offices. The first buildings with compound purpose came into the market - offices and residential units over the commercial ground floor. There is a great competition between the investors for the acquisition of quality investment properties. This leads to persuasive and continuous rise in the sale prices, particularly for office areas in the top city locations, while the rents stay stable. Sofia is still the basic property market – for residential properties as well as for office areas - and this will not change soon, keeping in mind the fact that most of the companies prefer to open their head offices in the capital as this is the city bearing the biggest business potential. There is an increasing number of new companies which discovered the possibilities of the dynamic property market in Sofia and a lot of companies which are on the market for some time now and are currently expanding. One of the reasons for such interest is the improving opportunities for companies to occupy quality estates at a reasonable price. For many companies, even not leaders in their branch, Bulgaria is a good solution if they seek lowering their business expenses. Bringing together the favorable tax standards and the level of production costs which is a few times lower than in many European countries, it is a fact that the business property market shows a positive economic trend. Nevertheless, this field of business property market is not yet completely ready to meet the requirements of big foreign investors. The request for high class offices determined the start of a couple vast projects near the Sofia Airport and two of the main boulevards Tsarigradsko Shose and Bulgaria. The property market for logistic and industrial estates is still not so well exploited but is expected to meet an upward trend.
Tourism Nature has really been large-handed in these latitudes and an expert eye is actually not needed to find out that Bulgaria has it all! We have beautiful mountains spread across the country, the azure Black Sea in the East, numerous mineral springs, invigorating forests, and small genuine villages still successfully slowing down the rush of modern life in the big cities. With its mild moderate-continental climate, suitable for year-round recreation, numerous healing thermal springs, the diversity of flora and fauna, Bulgaria offers wonderful conditions for balneo and spa tourism, wine tourism, rural and cultural tourism, hunting, mountainous and sea tourism. It is explicably why one of the most winning sectors in the Bulgarian economy is actually the tourism. Recent data show that tourism generates between 12 – 15 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. Following the world-wide tendencies, the number of foreign tourists who have visited Bulgaria in 2006 has also increased. More than 4.2 million foreign tourists have visited Bulgaria by September 2006, a Council of Ministers press release said. This figure represents an increase of 5.39 per cent, compared to the foreign tourist visits for the same period in 2005. The number of tourists from Great Britain, Ireland, other Southeastern and Scandinavian countries retained the same levels as the previous years. The Russian tourists discovered Bulgaria as a preferred winter sports destination and their number has been on the increase – for the first eight months of 2006 there is a growth with nearly 22 %, state the records. Income from international tourism also indicates a growth. The increase is 5 % and the total sum reached 1.557,2 milliard euro. The general expectations are that nearly 37 million Euro per year will be received from European funds for the development of tourism in Bulgaria. This will naturally benefit for turning the country into one of the most sought after destinations, offering exclusive summer and winter tourist services. As Bulgaria has undoubtedly all the resources to become a world top tourism destinations. Bulgaria has lately strengthened its positions of a winter tourist destination and as a result we witness the incredible development of the Bulgarian winter resorts Bansko, Pamporovo, Borovets. For example, the expected number of tourists to visit Bansko will be 25 % higher this season than the previous year, predict some tour operator companies. The popularity of Sofia also grows because of the nearness of the city to the famous ski resorts which repeatedly play hosts to important winter sports events.
Places of interest Having fun and sightseeing in Sofia
Despite the population of the capital is growing up in result of the inner migration, with its 1,2 million people Sofia is still a city of modest size. The eclectic architecture characterized with Ottoman buildings, churches in Russian style, remains of ancient Bulgarian structures and the biggest on the Balkans synagogue, turn Sofia into a fascinating and exotic place which will not let its guests have a dull minute. The variety of cultural sights and the attractive night life guarantees the visitors to have a roaring time spent in the capital. Being one of the oldest capital cities in Europe, Sofia is a charming blend of its past and present, which can first be seen in the remarkable architectural style. Today there are many archaeological sites in Sofia, that display the city's diverse history - the castle gates and towers of Serdica, public buildings and streets thousands of years old. One of the many historic landmarks of Sofia is the 10th-century Boyana Church, one of the UNESCO World Heritage protected sites. The Alexander Nevski Cathedral is one of the world's largest Orthodox churches with neo-Byzantine architecture. In the crypt is situated the icon museum, where are exposed over 300 icons and mural frescoes dated from the late 9th century up to the end of the 19th century. Another monument is the early Byzantine Church of St Sophia which dates to the 5th century and after which in the 14th century the city was named. Tourists could also visit the National History Museum and the recently reopened after extensive renovation works National Archaeological Museum. The exhibition consists of precious exponents of Thracian, Greek and Roman origin. Exceptional attraction in the museum is the Vulchitrun Treasure which is collection of 13 gold vessels, probably used in Thracian religious rituals. The oldest preserved building in the city, built as a Roman temple in the 4th century, is the Rotonda Sveti Georgi (Rotunda of St George). The memorial has been during the ages destroyed by the Huns; later, in the 6th century, rebuilt by emperor Justinian as a church. The Turks converted the rotunda into a mosque, until it was finally reinstated as a church. Тhree archaeological layers, some dating from the early 10th century, has been revealed after the restoration. The only mosque still functioning today is the Banya Bashi Dzhamiya. It has been designed in 1576 by the Ottoman architect who also built the the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is named after the neighboring Tsentralnata Banya (Central Baths) – Banya Bashi means ‘a lot of baths’. The first thermal baths were built here by the Romans. Today Public tabs have been installed so anyone can taste the steaming mineral water with temperature 46°C/115°F. Built by Russian workmen in 1912 and dedicated to St Nicholas, ‘the miracle maker’, Church Sveta Nikolai is possibly the prettiest church in Sofia with its roof covered with green majolica tiles and crowned with five gold-plated onion domes. Sofia does not sleep. Sleeping would not occur to you either, if you embark on the exciting nightlife which could be compared to that in some Western European capitals. Plenty of bars, discos, casinos and many restaurants are concentrated in the city centre, able to meet each visitor` s requirements. Guests who love arts will be enchanted by the ballet, opera and theatre performances. National Palace of Culture is the scene for many cultural events with its concert halls and exhibition spaces. A number of annual summer festivals also take place in Sofia, such as the Folklore Festival, the Sofia Music Week, the Sofia Film Fest. Source: www.bgp.bg
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The City of Varna
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Location and history The city of Varna is situated at the North shore of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. It is famous for its rich natural resources, which make it one of the most popular resort centres in Europe and the largest one in the Black Sea region. At the same time the city constitutes an intersection point of the road between the Middle East and Western Europe. According to the official data, the population of Varna municipality amounts to 346 000 people, but in reality the number is quite larger, especially in summer, when, according to unofficial data, the population doubles. Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria, taking an area of 205 square kilometres. The geographical location and the existing infrastructure have predetermined the favourable development of the city for centuries. The well-organized water and cargo transport determine the image of the city as an intersection point of the connection between the East and the West. There are three main factors that determine the infrastructure arrangement in the city: port of Varna, Varna International Airport and the telecommunication network The city of Varna has a well-developed railway and road network, in the immediate vicinity of Varna International Airport. The port is known as the “container” and “grain” gate of the Republic of Bulgaria – it exports cement, clinker, fertilizers, soda ash, it treats all types of cargo – liquid cargo, loose cargo and countables.
The city of Varna was founded under the name Odessos during the VI century B.C. by Anatolian Greeks. During the Hellenist era, the ancient city Odessos turns into one of the most significant cities on the Black Sea Coast. It was conquered by the Romans and became part of the large Roman Empire during the first century. One of the city’s landmarks today are the Roman Baths – these are baths from the II century that have taken a major place in the city public life for three centuries. A lot of archaeological evidence about the life from the Greek and Roman era, as well as from the earliest historical eras, is exhibited in the Archaeological museum in the city. There, one can see the world’s oldest golden treasure, found during excavations of the Varna necropolis (city of the dead people), which dates back to the IV century B.C. It is assumed that the subsequent name of the city – Varna – has a Slavonic origin and means “black”. Varna is among the first territories included in the newly-established state (VII century). During the Middle Ages, the city preserved its significance as an important seaport and trade centre – it maintained commercial relationships with Genua, Venice and Constantinople. The city is also famous for the battle between the Crusaders and the Ottoman Army in 1444. The crusade armies were defeated near Varna, whose leader, the young Polish king Vladislav Varnenchik, perished during the battle. This crusade is the last attempt of the Christian states to free Bulgaria from the Ottoman rule. The economic recovery of the city began during the Renaissance period, when the international and transit trade through the port revived. In 1886 the railway line Varna-Rousse was constructed, which established a direct connection between the Danube and the Black sea. The largest collection of monuments from all eras can be found in the central part of the city. The monuments that are pronounced as monuments of the cultural-historical heritage are 24, and the monuments declared for architectural monuments are 712.
Investments and development of the real estate market Municipality of Varna has a powerful economic potential. Here, the main sectors that are developed are the industry and the services. The good investment climate in the municipality and the possibilities for tourism are a prerequisite for the development of these sectors. The services sector is very well-developed. A large variety of the services offered in the city is observed. In 2007 there is a huge interest in Varna for the commercial areas of the malls that are currently being constructed – there are two projects in the construction phase and two ones that are under preparation. The construction of the „Pfohe Mall“and “Mall of Varna” has started in the city. It is planned that the sites will be opened for the Christmas holidays in 2007. “Mall of Varna“is a commercial and entertainment centre with 70 thousand square meters spread-out built-up area, designed by the British architecture office “Chapman Taylor”. There will be shops, a supermarket, movie theatres, an entertainment floor with a bowling hall, a large children’s spot, a skating-rink, a fitness and wellness centre in the mall. The implementation of a project for construction of a commercial centre in the heart of the city will start very soon.
Transport
Varna International Airport is directly related to the economic situation of the city and the region. It is the second largest airport after Sofia airport. It provides first-class access to the city and the resort complexes and makes a connection with 35 countries and 101 cities around the world, but with a high seasonal dependence of the traffic. In 2006 an expansion of the passenger terminals of Varna International Airport was completed and this large project that has been launched will continue during the next years. There is an expressed interest for investment in Varna International Airport from Wiggins Group, Great Britain; Brussels Airport; a consortium of 6 multinational companies, among which are Credit Swiss First Boston, Montgomery Asset Management, Copenhagen Airport and the Belgian company BIAC. In the near future a new SAT II system for flying and landing of airplanes will be introduced during bad weather conditions, which, together with the construction of the new platforms and runways for airplanes from the type Boing 767, will contribute to increasing the airport’s reputation at the international aviation market. The vision of the Bulgarian government on Varna International Airport is to give it for concession. Port Varna is the sea gate of the city. The expansion of Port Varna and its moving will predetermine the image and the vision of the city for many years ahead. Moving the current port Varna-East to the urban part of the territory will provide an opportunity for the construction of new hotels, business centres and amusement parks. It will turn into the natural extension of the Sea garden. A new yacht and passenger terminal will be constructed there. With the realization of this project Varna has all the chances to be transformed into the pearl of the Black sea. The project for Port Varna also plans the following changes:
• Construction of a passenger terminal with a Business centre of Port Varna-East; • Construction of a container terminal, grain terminal, a terminal for liquid cargo and a terminal for hazardous liquid cargo at the shore of Varna Lake.
Besides the port, the international airport and the good railway and land transport connections, Varna has one of the best telecommunication networks. There are 472 telephone lines for every 1000 people, which contributes to our country’s place among the leading ones in Central and Eastern Europe. Currently, there are three digital telephone exchanges of highest technological class of the companies Siemens and Ericsson. The level of digitalization of the telecommunication network is 21.7% as compared to 7.8% for the remaining part of the country. In Varna two international optic rings have been built. The type and quality of the services offered will increase, as well as the development of the broad-band lines, which will further contribute to the effectiveness of the business through high-speed internet connection and opportunity for transfer of a larger volume of data.
A lot of well-known companies have representations and offices in Varna. All these companies have chosen to establish representations in the city of Varna due to the particularly favourable investment climate, the low labour costs and the highly qualified staff provided by the universities in Varna. Varna is a cosmopolitan city with a large population with high consumer needs and relatively larger financial possibilities for consumption as compared to the other parts of the country.
Sports /golf, water sports, ski/ and investments
The opportunities for sports and vacation in the city of Varna are numerous and their quality is increasing: Cycling, volleyball, basketball, East martial arts; football; bungee jumping; flying with balloon; parachute jumps; paraplanning; paintball; climbing; sports gymnastics; traditional martial arts; off-road; fitness; отнис; yacht rows in Varna bay; Sailing Team; windsurfing; yachting; kite-surfing; sea fishing; kites. Underwater trips – diving to ships, cave and deep diving, diving courses, swimming. The first year-long skating rink will be in Varna. Its size will be 20 to 30 meters. By Christmas in 2007 the people in Varna and the visitors of the city will have the opportunity to skate freely during the week, during weekends, all day long. The terrain of the skating rink is located at a height of 28 meters and will be glazed, which will reveal a panorama of the entire city. It is located on one floor, together with the bowling and the other entertainments. Around the ice surface there will be pubs and places for relaxation. The project plans hiring teachers in hockey and figure skating. Schools will be established, and later on – tournaments will be organized. This will be the first private skating rink in Bulgaria, managed by an international experienced operator.
Like each market that is under development, the Bulgarian one offers higher profitability and dynamics as compared to a number of markets, such as the West European and the American real estate market. The real estate market in the region of the city of Varna is an inseparable part of the general state of affairs in the country. According to official data from the statistical institute, the average price of the properties in the capital toward the end of the last year was 1285 leva per square meter, while in Varna the price was 1201 leva. The average year growth (2004-2005) of the prices of apartments is above 20% for Varna. The prices are in euro per square meter. Vladislavovo, panel apartments – 363 euro/m2 City centre, new construction, brick - 1505 euro/m2
The market for offices has not ceased to develop, although at first sight it seems that the year 2006 has passed under the sign of the commercial areas.
Income from rent
The demand for residential and commercial areas in the city of Varna is traditionally high, which determines the high prices. The perspective for leasing properties in the urban part of Varna is among the biggest in Bulgaria. The demand is high during the entire year, due to the functioning universities in the city, the developed business environment and the numerous sports and resort places. During summer Varna becomes the city with highest rental prices in the country. The rents of residential areas start at 1.5 euro/m2 in the suburbs and reach 10 euro/m2 in the central parts of the city. There are mainly investments in sites, located at the central part of the city and most often these are investments in old buildings with architecture value. Recently, the reconstruction of a site – a house with an area of 700 square meters – was completed, which is a cultural monument, located in the city centre and which will be offered for rent for a price of about 4-5 thousand euro per month. The rents in Varna mall also register a high interest on the part of leaseholders. The main driving force of this market at the moment is the demand. The rents of the stores have increased by 14 percent by the end of 2006 as compared to the prices at the beginning of the year. After the opening of the malls, a large part of the traders on the central street will move to the mall and the prices of rents for commercial areas in the city centre will decrease by more than 10%. This is the forecast of “Forton International”, which is an exclusive representative in leasing Varna mall. This is what has already happened at the main commercial streets in Sofia. Besides the three new trade centres, one more is planned to be built – “Central Universal Store – Varna”, located on the main commercial street.
Economic indicators for business development, such as the policy of the local authorities for attracting foreign investors
Bulgaria is attractive for the investors due to some factors, such as the rapid growth (4.5% growth in GDP per year), the low inflation rate (2.3% for 2003), the low interest rate, the stable prices and labour costs, the low taxes and the low budget deficit. The labour costs in Bulgaria account for less than 10% of the average ones for the European Union. Investments have a low risk level and a high return. The international accounting standards have been endorsed in Bulgaria. There is no tax on capital income or tax on income from interest. Bulgaria is party to 52 international treaties for protection and stimulation of investment on the basis of the reciprocity and to 55 treaties for avoiding the double taxation. The creation of a favourable business environment for attraction of investment and providing employment to the population is among the strategic goals of the municipality. Among the main priorities is also the development of the public-private partnership between the local government and the companies by means of: • financial leasing; • obligation financing; • directing the vacant terrains, the industrial, storage and commercial premises for the development of alternative business under preferential conditions; In accordance with art.27, para.1 of the Investment Promotion Act, officials are hired in the municipal administration, who support the Bulgarian Investment Agency and provide cooperation to the investors, who received a certificate for a firs-class or second-class investment. This support is expressed in individual administrative service during the submission and receiving of all necessary documents for carrying out a certain investment. Municipality of Varna has a strategic location with a transcontinental significance. The Black sea as a key natural geographical factor is a prerequisite for the development of the marine industry. Municipality of Varna has a well-developed tourism industry and a potential for development of new forms of tourism, such as Spa and Wellness, cultural, and ecological tourism. All types of transports are present and are well-developed and synchronized. The transport infrastructure is of local, national and international significance. There is a scientific and technical potential. All levels of education are developed, up to university education in the area of economics, management, technique and technologies, medicine and tourism. Municipality of Varna attracts labour force from the neighbouring regions and the entire country. The labour force is highly-qualified. Modern communication connections and a rich information environment have been developed. A well-developed network of financial and credit institutions for supporting the small and medium-sized business. Active international cooperation and opportunities to participate in EU projects. Large-scale production base in the industry with a broad sectoral scope. High level of privatization and restructuring of the state and municipal property. Cultural institutions of national and international significance are located in the city. There is a rich cultural and historical heritage, a lot of non-governmental organizations, civil movements, associations and chambers.
Tourism Tourism is one of the main sectors in the economic structure of Municipality of Varna. The resort complexes “Golden sands”, “St. Konstantin and Elena”, “Riviera” and “Sunny day” are world famous resorts and three of them have won the Blue flag prize for the best beach. The resorts offer numerous sports opportunities, balneological treatment and entertainment. The potential of the municipality in this sector is characterized with the unique combination of natural resources (beaches, mineral spas) and a cultural and historical heritage and traditions. The prices of the tourist services in Bulgaria are competitive as compared to the prices in Croatia, Greece and Spain. The demand for Wellness and Spa services is increasing, as well as the volume of demand during the months outside the active season. In Varna there are also prerequisites for the development of health, cultural and ecological tourism. The Varna Black Sea Coast offers a combination of wonderful conditions for sea tourism, rich cultural and historical heritage and incredible nature. In the Sea Capital there are many museums, galleries, theatres and cultural monuments, such as the archaeological and historical museums, the cathedral “The Assumption”, the clock tower and many others that are worth seeing. The natural phenomenon – The Upright Stones is located close to the city. Some of the most beautiful luxurious sea resorts in the country are located north from Varna, which offer excellent conditions for summer vacations, entertainment and practicing water sports. These are the resort complexes “St. Konstantin and Elena”, “Sunny day”, “Riviera”, “Golden Sands” and “Albena”. A lot of cultural events, conferences, seminars, as well as some attractive sports events are carried out there. In Albena resort complex paraplanning tournaments are often organized. The availability of healing mineral spas in the region and the wonderful modern resort and health centres turn the resort complexes into suitable places for combining balneological treatment with a holiday and relaxation near the sea shore. Some small, but picturesque settlements, such as Obzor and Byala, are located south from the sea capital, where there are also good possibilities for sea tourism. They are suitable for those, who prefer the natural genuine atmosphere, far from the noise and luxury of the first-class resorts. South from Varna is also located the resort complex Kamchiya, situated on the waterside of Kamchiya river in the midst of an exotic dense forest, close to the natural reserve of the same name, where unique plant and animal species are preserved. Golf tourism has reported a 10 % increase; it strengthens the position of new destinations, one of which is the new golf playgrounds that are currently being constructed north from Varna. Bulgaria will compete with Spain and Portugal in offering golf tourism in the near future, according to the catalogue of the Association of the British Tour operators (ABTA) for 2007.
Places of interest Municipality of Varna has a strategic location with a transcontinental significance. • The Black Sea as a key natural geographic factor is a prerequisite for the development of the marine industry. Municipality of Varna has a well-developed tourist industry and a potential for development of new forms of tourism, such as Spa and Wellness, cultural, and ecological tourism. • There are urban planning and infrastructure conditions for the development of a duty-free zone. • All types of transport are available and are well-developed and synchronized. The transport infrastructure is of local, national and international significance. • Scientific and technical potential. All levels of education are developed, up to university education in the area of economics, management, technique and technologies, medicine and tourism. • Municipality of Varna attracts labour force from the neighbouring regions and the entire country. • Highly-qualified unoccupied labour force. • Developed modern communication connections and rich information environment. • A well-developed network of financial and credit institutions for supporting the small and medium-sized business. • Active international cooperation and opportunities to participate in EU projects. • Large-scale production base in the industry with a broad sectoral scope. • High level of privatization and restructuring of the state and municipal property. • Cultural institutions of national and international significance. • Availability of a rich cultural and historical heritage. • Numerous non-governmental organizations, civil movements, associations and chambers.
• The national astronomic observatory and planetarium “Nikolay Kopernik”
The planetarium, as it is known among the people in Varna, is one of the attractions in our sea capital. It has been established by Nikolay Petrov and has been officially opened on May 22nd, 1968. It is located in the Sea garden, just a few meters from its central entrance. The star hall has 80 seats.
• Aquarium
The aquarium in Varna has been constructed in 1912 under the suggestion of King Ferdinand. The incredibly original make of the façade combines bas-relief images of a huge clam and some of the most widely-spread animal species in the Black Sea. The central hall of the Aquarium reveals before the view of the visitors an impressive collection of freshwater and sea species, presented in their natural environment. In some of the other halls there are arranged expositions that give a full picture of the flora, fauna and its specific characteristics in the Black Sea.
• Dolphinarium
The only dolphinarium on the Balkan Peninsula is really one of the most amusing attractions that Varna offers to its visitors. In a spectacle, with duration of about 45 minutes, the visitors can see the incredible intelligence and receptiveness of the sea mammals. An interesting detail is the fact that in the Dolphinarium in Varna the first dolphin was born in 1992, which is currently not the only one. The event was considered as a sign that the animals have adapted themselves well in their new home.
• Terrarium
The terrarium in the city of Varna has the most diverse and rich exhibition of living exotic animals, that is unique for the Black Sea region and the richest one in Bulgaria. The terrarium has a permanent exhibition of exotic animals – about 120 species of invertebrates, fish, amphibian reptiles, birds and small mammals. The building was constructed in 1998 by the professional biologists R. Trayanov, G. Simeonov, D. Delchev, V. Hainadzhieva.
• Zoo
The zoo takes up an area of 30 decares. It is located in the Sea Garden, near the monument of the perished soldiers during the Russian-Turkish war. The zoo was opened in 1961 and soon it turned into a favourite spot both for children and adults. The first inhabitant of the zoo was the bear Maxim, who moved in to his newly constructed home in 1958. After that different animals and birds were supplied through the Varna Hunting Association, as well as monkeys from India and other animals. • The water slide “Rolba” is located at the South beach in Varna. Swimming courses for children are organized in the attached swimming pool with mineral water.
• Sea garden - Varna
The Sea garden is one of the symbols of the city of Varna. It has arranged its beautiful and breezy lanes along the entire coastal alley in the city. A characteristic feature of the Sea garden are the maintained wonderful garden areas, the quiet alleys, the beautiful and diverse natural vegetation and the numerous cultural monuments located on its territory.
• Coastal alley
During the summer season the Coastal alley of the city of Varna turns into one of the most wanted and visited places in the city. The reason for that is not only the contiguous beach strip, but also the fact that here are concentrated all the summer clubs, discos, pizzerias and fish restaurants.
• The beaches of Varna
Varna can brag itself with its long and broad beach strip, which is covered with beautiful, golden sand. The strip is conventionally divided to several main beaches whose borders are not clearly defined: south, central, north, fisherman’s and officer’s beach.
• Archaeological museum
The Archaeological museum in Varna takes up an area of 2000 square meters and has 32 halls, where permanent expositions are exhibited – Prehistory, Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance Icon-painting. The oldest golden treasure is kept here. Its age dates back to 4000 years B.C.
• Naval Museum
The Naval Museum is one of the symbols of the city of Varna. It is located in the southernmost part of the Sea Garden. The beautiful building of the museum has been constructed in 1890 for the Italian consul Asaretto. Its park displays an arranged collection of marine guns, the old lighthouse of the sea port of Varna and one of Bulgaria’s first mine sweepers. The exposition is arranged in 12 halls, tracing the maritime history of the region from ancient times to the present day. The most valuable exhibit is the Drazki torpedo boat which became famous for sinking the Turkish cruiser Hamidie. This is the only ship of its kind to be preserved till the present day. Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Veliko Tarnovo town information
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Location and history The town of Veliko Turnovo (population 74 800 inhabitants) is situated in central Bulgaria, at the foot of Stara planina, 210 meters above the sea level. It is regally situated along the historical hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitza, and Sveta Gora, on the two banks of the Iantra river. The town lies at almost same distance from the biggest Bulgarian towns – 241 km northeast of Sofia, 228 km southwest of Varna, 192 km northeast of Plovdiv, and 224 km northwest of Bourgas. The old metropolis of Bulgaria is a regional centre. The favourable climate, the presence of numerous natural and historical landmarks, and the development of the national crafts offer great opportunities for development of tourism.
Veliko Tarnovo is a town with rich and glorious historical past. The earliest traces were found on the Trapezitza Elevation from the first half of the 3 rd millennium B.C. Remnants on Tsarevets Elevation date back to the end of Bronze era (13th century B.C.) The oldest settlement was inhabited by Thracians and exited by the end of the Iron era. The following inhabitants were the Byzantines. In 8 century a big Slavonic – Bulgarian settlement was built there. At the end of the 10th century the elevations of Tsarevets, Trapezitza, and Sveta Gora were densely populated and in the 12th century Veliko Turnovo was a fortified town and a significant economic centre. The origin of the name is related to the Slavonic word “tern” or “turn” (thorn) and during the years it developed into Ternov, Trunov, Tarnov, Tarnovgrad, Tarnovo, and Veliko Turnovo, called Veliko (Great) in relation to its size, beauty and grandeur. In 1187 Uprising of Assen and Petar (brothers and noble men), the Byzantine rule was thrown off, and they proclaimed Veliko Turnovo capital of the restored Bulgarian Kingdom. During the 13 th and 14 th centuries the town became a significant political, economic, trade and cultural centre in Europe. This material and spiritual upsurge was discontinued on 17 th of July 1393, when the whole of Bulgaria was conquered by the Turks. During the Revival period the town experienced a new economic, cultural and political upsurge. Crafts developed, trade flourished, beautiful houses, public buildings and churches were built. Veliko Turnovo became a centre of the struggles for ecclesiastical and national independence. On the 7 th of July 1877 Veliko Turnovo was free again. On the 16 th of April 1879 the Turnovo Constitution, one of the most democratic constitutions in Europe at that time, is passed there. On 17.04.1879 the first Great National Assembly of liberated Bulgaria convened in Veliko Turnovo. It was namely there that on 06.09.1885 the acknowledge of the union of the Principality Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia was made. Although Sofia became the capital of united Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo continued to be a bastion of the Bulgarian national spirit, and self-awareness.
Investments and development of the real estate market The location, the remarkable nature, the preserved architecture in the old part of the town in combination with the modern conveniences, such us: hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping centers and many other entertainments make the unique spirit of Veliko Tarnovo and give prerequisites for the development of the tourism. Veliko Tarnovo is an important landmark for Bulgaria and the statistics show that the city and its region are in the top ten in the most visited tourist destinations in Eastern Europe providing an excellent alternative for investments. As you know one of the best investment opportunities is in the property market. Properties in and around Veliko Tarnovo are extremely good value compare to the resorts. - Veliko Tarnovo is the 3rd most attractive tourist destinations in Bulgaria, following Sea Resorts and Ski Resorts. - Veliko Tarnovo is in the middle of Bulgaria – on the same short distance to the main cities of Bulgaria: Sofia, Varna, Bourgas, Plovdiv - One of the most important advantages of the traffic infrastructure of the region is the international airport in the town of Gorna Oriahovitsa. It takes in cargo, passenger and charter flights from countries in Europe and very soon it will be open for regular flights. - The geographic location of the region of Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria makes it a crossroad of nearly all vehicular traffic - High rental potential Use our knowledge and experience of Bulgaria and its property market to make the right investment decisions. Find the most lucrative regions for investment. Meet the right people to deal with. If you follow the advice on property investment, in no time at all you could be a proud owner of a Bulgarian property. Places of interest The Tsarevets Elevation in the eastern part of the town is proclaimed an archeological reserve. There the so called Baldwin Tower, the entrance door, and part of the fortified wall are preserved, as well as the palace of Bulgarian kings and the Bulgarian patriarchy of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12 – 14 century) are restored. The elevation of Trapezitza is related to the earliest manifestation of the Bulgarian rulers of the 12th century. There 17 church foundations were found. The most interesting there are the churches of "St.Dimitar" and “The 40 holly Martyrs”, as well as Assenova Makhala (Assen’s neighborhood). The elevation of Sveta Gora rises south of Tsarevets. It was a cultural and spiritual centre of the Bulgarian State in the Medieval times. Nowadays the buildings of Veliko Turnovo University “St. St. Kiril and Metodii” is situated there. Sites of interests are the churches of “St. Nikola”, “St. St. Kiril and Metodii”, St.St.Konstantin and Elena, the architectural monuments: the House with the monkeys, the House of Petko R. Slaveikov, the House of kokona (grand lady) Anastasia, Stambolov’s khan (inn), Samovodska charshia (market of wood-nymphs) with lots of National Revival houses and working workshops, the monument of Assens, the monument "Mother Bulgaria", the Stambolov’s bridge. 4 km northeast of the town is the village of Arbanassi - proclaimed an architectural reserve. There are unique monuments of the Bulgarian National Revival architecture. The Preobrazhenski Monastery is situated 7 km to the north at the left bank of the Yantra river. The oldest Monastery around Veliko Turnovo – “Sveta Troitza” (St. Trinity) is located on the right bank of the Yantra river, against the Preobrazhenski Monastery. 13 km south of the town near the town of Kilifarevo is located the Kilifarevo Monastery, founded by Teodosii Turnovski. The Plakovski Monastery is situated near to the village of Plakovo, 18 km south of Veliko Turnovo. The Merdanski Monastery is 14 km southeast of the town. The complex Nikopolis ad Istrum - ruins of an old Roman majestic town near the village of Nikiup, is situated 18 km north of the town. The spa resort Voneshta voda is 28 km to the south. The passage of the Republic (Hainboaz) is 39 km south of the town of Veliko Turnovo Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Ruse city information
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Location and historyThe town of Ruse is situated in the northern part of the country on the southern bank of the Danube. Ruse is the fifth largest city in Bulgaria. It is the most significant Bulgarian river port, serving an important part of the international trade of the country. The Ruse- Giurgiu Friendship Bridge, the only one in the shared Bulgarian-Romanian section of the Danube, crosses the river nearby. The town of Ruse is the place where several of the biggest European transport corridors cross:1. Transport corridor No.7 - the Main - the Rein - the Danube 2. Transport corridor No.4 - Berlin - Prague - Bratislava - Budapest - Bucharest - Ruse - Solon/Istanbul - the Near East 3. Transport corridor No.9 - Helsinki - Kiev/Moscow - Odessa/Kishinev - Bucharest - Ruse - Plovdiv - Solon/Istanbul 4. Transport corridor No.8 - Duras - Tirana - Skopie - Sofia - Ruse/Varna/Burgas - Union of the indipendent countries and other countries of the Black sea area Ruse is an important transport centre with two passenger railway stations, two distributing railway stations, two cargo railway stations, two bus stations and a port. The nearest airport is in Bucharest / Rumania/ - it is only 60 km away from the town of Ruse. Most of the popular international companies fly to there. Approximately 15 km southeast of Ruse is the village of Shtraklevo, near which is the former Ruse Airport (currently closed). It is planned to redevelop and reopen the airport by 2008–2009 for internal, charter and cargo flights. Ruse is the biggest Bulgarian river port on the Danube River. The city emerged as a Thracian settlement from the 3rd to 2nd millennium BCE, where pottery, fishing, agriculture, and hunting were developed. The Thracian settlement later developed into a Roman military and naval centre during the reign of Vespasian (69-70) as part of the fortification system along the northern boundary of Moesia. Its name, Sexaginta Prista, is suggested to mean "a city of sixty ships". Investments and development of the real estate marketToday, Ruse is a big Bulgarian city, with a population of over 170,000 and is one of the basic cultural and economic centres of Northern Bulgaria. The country’s accession to the European Union is expected to be of local benefit through new investments and opportunities for international business.There are six hypermarkets in Ruse – Metro cash and carry, Technopolis, Technomarket Europe, Kaufland, Billa and building hypermarket Ziraf. The companies Lifton and Denbraven already strengthened their positions. The sports are very well developed in the town. There are opportunities for fishing and hunting, cycling, walking about well-known routes – the park of ‘Prista’, the natural park of Rusenski Lom, the park of Bojenia, the forest park Lipnik and etc. Attractive is Bungy jumping from the bridge near the village of Pisanets. The lake in the forest park Lipnik offers ideal opportunities for water sports. Near the town of Ruse there is well maintained race course. In the town there are stadiums, swimming pools, bowling and etc. In the town of Ruse there are 22 hotels. Ruse is known for its 19th and 20th century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, which attracts many tourists. In 2005 the town was visited from 41 221 foreign tourists. There are cruises along the international route Ruse-Belgrade-Novi Sad- Budapest-Bratislava-Vienna- Linz- Pasau. The rentals in the town of Ruse, depending on the district are:• One-bedroom apartment, without furnishing - in the centre of the town 105 Euro per month; near the centre 90 Euro per month; in other districts between 70 and 90 Euro per month.• Two-bedroom apartment, without furnishing - in the centre of the town 124 Euro per month; near the centre 108 Euro per month; in other districts between 80 and 105 Euro per month.• Three room apartment, without furnishing - in the centre of the town 133 Euro per month; near the centre 117 Euro per month; in other districts between 88 and 114 Euro per month. Tourism and places of interestRuse is an old Bulgarian town located on the right bank of the Danube River with traditions in culture, art and education. It is known also as “ Little Vienna”, because of its ancient architecture. About 200 buildings in Ruse are on the list of the fund of the architectural historical heritage Bulgaria, 12 of which are especially valuable: The Old Theatre, The Monument of Liberty, The High School of Music, the Catholic Church and etc. The potential for the establishment of a specialized tourist product, which will offer alternative forms of tourism like cultural, rural and ecological tourism, is determined by the very good geographical and transport location, the rich culture-historical heritage and the beautiful natural resources, concentrated on a comparative small territory. Every year a few thousand tourists from all over the Europe visit the town. Compared with UK prices, here everything is extremely cheap. A sight of great interest in the region is the natural park of Rusenski Lom divided into four zones. In the historical zone are included the unique Ivanovo rock monasteries recorded on the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage and the archaeological reserve of “Medieval town Cherven”, located on the rocky banks of Cherni Lom River. There you will find a combination of magnificent nature, preserved Bulgarian traditions and customs and rich historical heritage. There is something for everyone's taste. Basarbovo monastery is the only active rock monastery in Bulgaria today. It is situated in the canyon-like valley of the river Lom, home of another three hundred rock premises, forty of which has been used as churches. Most of the monasteries were inhabited after XIIth century AD and some of them even before that. Nowadays the monastery is very beautiful and well preserved. The green yard is decorated with lots of flowers, bushes and fruit trees. The path in the yard leads to a well, dug out by St. Dimitar. The water within is healing and many of the visitors after tasting it come back to the monastery again. The Danube River is a natural wealth for Bulgaria. It is a navigable river that makes the connection with the other countries located on its bank easier. It also offers numerous opportunities for vacations, water sports, fishing and etc. Purchasing property here you will find incredible nature and you can get acquainted with the Bulgarian customs and traditions.Noted for its rich culture, Ruse hosts a Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ruse State Opera. The March Music Days is a festival, held annually for two weeks in the second half of March in Ruse, Bulgaria, which attracts many elitist musicians. St George’s day (6 May) is Ruse's holiday. A local fare is organized for a week around this date. Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Plovdiv city information
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Location and history The second biggest city in Bulgaria – Plovdiv is situated on the Maritza River’s banks. Its unique location on an ancient crossroad is the reason for the strong cultural and politic influence of the east and west civilizations. Although these agents the city has preserved its exclusive cultural identity. Plovdiv population is 345 000 people. The town covers a territory of 53 sq. m. from the flat Gorno-thracian lowlands on the both sides of the beautiful Maritza River. Characteristic of Plovdiv is the development of multibranched economy. The town is a center of a big number specialized in different spheres science institutes, high schools and universities, international fair, airport, financial-credit institutions, duty free shops, exchanges and cultural institutions. Plovdiv district includes 18 municipalities: Assenovgrad, Brezovo, Kaloyanovo, Karlovo, Krichim, Kuklen, Lucky, Maritza, Perushtitza, Plovdiv, Parvomay, Rakovski, Rodophi, Sadovo, Sopot, Stamboliiski, Saedinenie, Hisarya. All of them spread over a territory of 5972.89 sq. m. Within the district borders live 712 702 people, with average population density 119.84 people per sq. m. Over the district territory work more than 150 public institutions, their departments, and 1300 non-government organizations have been established. Plovdiv is one of the oldest towns not only in Bulgaria, but even in Europe. Its 8 millenniums old history dates from human civilization. The town is contemporary of the Troy and Mycenae. Plovdiv cultural-historical heritage is unique not only in Bulgaria, but in the world. Its historical, knowledgeable and attractive value is incomparable to no other town in Bulgaria. Its motto is not by chance – “Ancient and Ageless”. The favorable climate and geographical location have contributed to the Plovdiv’s rising progress throughout all historical epochs. From that area passes significant international main lines of communications, which in the ancient times had connected the East to the Europe, the Baltic to the Mediterranean, and Black Sea to the Adriatic. The six hills make the town special and extremely picturesque and beautiful.After the Bulgarian Liberalization from Ottoman servitude the cosmopolite Plovdiv as it was the biggest, rich and busy Bulgarian town was announced as the capital town of the new state. The Berlin contract however has destroyed all Bulgarians dream to have united and free country. Bulgaria was detached in two parts: Principality Bulgaria with capital Sofia and vassal province East Romelia with capital Plovdiv. Sofia was becoming state and political center, but Plovdiv keeps its natural statute of cultural center. Economics and investments In the early beginning of the ХХ century Plovdiv distinguished itself by an industrial and commercial center with very well developed light and food industry. Plovdiv and its region were the first in the country, which overcome the world giant economical crisis in the years 1929-1933. In 1936 the Fair in Plovdiv became a member of the International Fairs Union and soon it made its reputation as a structural section, stimulated the import and export trade operations growth. In 1939 there were 16 thousands craftsmen in the city and over 17 thousands workers in factories, mostly employed in the food and tobacco industries. Plovdiv is a main of fruits, vegetables and semi-manufacture exporter of Bulgarian economy. Today the main mission of the district strategy is: tourism development and sustainable economical growth supporting, creating new work positions and knowing better the cultural-historical heritage of Plovdiv city and its neighbouring settlements. Plovdiv is the first town in Bulgaria, which has prepared a long term plan in relation to the tourism branch priority and faster integrity in the European market. The second biggest city stands about the transforming it into perspective tourist destination by means of development of: cultural, business, sport, historical, wine and festival tourism. The Fair town in Plovdiv is the biggest in the whole South-East Europe. One of the most important structures facilitating the international business is the duty-free zone Plovdiv as an institution contributing to the specific city appearance. It was established in 1987 and gives excellent conditions to foreign companies and joint venture for installing, reinstalling or producing, as well as distribution and re-export, conservation, storing and foods treatment. In Plovdiv operates also customs terminal, specialized basically in process of heavy loaded lorries and railway carriages. In 1990 Plovdiv Trade Chamber restored its functions. It was established in 1985. Throughout the last years the Chamber intensified its international activity, as it had created contacts with similar chambers in Britain, USA, Greece, Turkey, Israel, France, Germany and Italy. There are Business Chamber, Chamber of Transport, commodity exchange, etc. The business activity coefficient is 55.4 % and the average value in the country is 46.8 %. Gross Domestic Product per one person of the population is 4305 leva in 2004, which is 88 % from the average value for the whole country. The services branch generates more than the half of the additional value, while the farming takes a relative small share. The city has good communicative, energetic, water supplies and infrastructure. Projects A big number of repairs of a large scale have started in Plovdiv since the beginning of 2007. In the Municipality program is planned the main repair of 256 streets, 8 boulevards, 2 bridges, as well as the construction of a new bridge over Maritza River. There are 10 million leva provided for the infrastructure repairs in the city. It is also planned a reconstruction of the old sewage system to be done; there will be installed brand new water mains, new curbs and asphalt covering. Together with the capital repairs over 200 streets will be patched or entirely covered with asphalt; some of the pavement will be arranged in full. The investments in new trolley bus and bus auto park are the criteria with high importance – 60 %. Development of the real estate market Average price for apartment is 505 Euro per sq. m., maximum 900 Euro per sq. m. in the central part of the city. The price of the houses differs depending on their location and condition. The newly built houses in the central part of the city cost between 422-740 euro per sq. m. and similar properties located in the edge quarters cost 256-547 euro per sq. m. Plot’s prices start from 353 -913 euro per sq. m. for regulated properties in the broad center of the city. In one of the most attractive residential quarters - Karshiaka, where the a lot of brand new developments appeared recently a regulated plot could be bought for a price from 82 to 1010 euro per sq. m. Near the ring road next to Plovdiv the prices for regulated plots start from 6 and reach 61 euros. The unregulated plots in this region cost round 6-40 euros per sq. m. In the central part of the city the difference between regulated and unregulated land is sensible. Trends Plovdiv is not only the second biggest city in the country, but the official statistics indicate that Plovdiv region has realized the second most active property market in Bulgaria for the last year. So far new buildings are being mainly constructed in the central part of the city, but now many investors are building in the outskirts. There are numerous possibilities for building housing complexes of closed type in the suburbs. The increase of the prices of properties in Plovdiv dropped behind the sharp increase in prices in the Capital, Varna, and the resorts during the last two years due to the huge interest in buying properties in the latter. Now the interest is growing again. It is expected that the prices will continue growing. The most sought-after supply in the central part of the city is lower due to the fact that the owners of apartments are having good profit of renting their properties out. Tourism and places of interest With its rich history and well preserved centuries old cultural heritage, Plovdiv has affirmed as an attractive for the visitors cultural and historical center. The city and its region have more than 7000 beds in over than 50 hotels, as well the camping, accommodations and hostels offer other 5000 beds. Main agent for the business tourism development is the Plovdiv Fair. During the international events the city meets businessmen from world known companies and corporations, which are special for the country and the tourist community in the town. The tourism in Plovdiv and the region develops mainly in the fields of the cultural, religious, balneological, congress and business tourism. Annually the city is visited by more than 150 000 foreign tourists. While the multiple sport events take place in Plovdiv the participants and city guests are served by the tour operator companies, which provide comfort and all needed amenities during their stay - from nights, nutrition and transportation to the attractive programs and recreational fitness. There are numerous geothermal springs in Plovdiv surroundings, and in their vicinity operate all year balneological resorts – Hisaria, Banya, Narechenski bani, etc. Plovdiv surrounding area is extremely rich with cultural-historical landmarks, which creates conditions for mountain, ecological, hunting and fishing tourism in the Rodophes; cultural-knowledgeable in the Asenovgrad vicinity (Assen’s Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery) and Hisarya (Rome Stronghold); balneological in Hisaria, Banya and Narechen, based on the great number geothermal springs; religious in Krastova Gora (Cross Woods) and the variety of monasteries in the Rhodopes and the Balkan’s foot. For those of the tourists who prefer rural tourism, the settlements round Pamporovo – such as Momchilovci, Stoikite, Shoroka Lyka give the chance to feel the atmosphere of the authentic rural lifestyle and to taste the national dishes. In Plovdiv and its region there are well developed tourist infrastructure and human potential, which will manage successfully to the high requirements of the contemporary tourism. Remains from the ancient and medieval times and buildings with oriental, baroque and Old Bulgarian elements form the central part of the modern town. The variety of styles is mixed with contemporary architecture. Plovdiv is a picturesque city with a lot of parks and gardens, museums and archeological monuments. Its old part, called the Old Town with houses dates from the Bulgarian national Revival period XVІІІ-ХІХ century. Actually it represents an impressive outside museum. “The Old Tow” is perched on the three hills of the ancient Trimontsium. In 1956 it was declared an architectural preservation area. From the central part of “The Old Town” you can see the walls of the fortress Filipopolis. Other attractions are the majestic Sahat Tepe and the clock tower built in the 16th century, the Bonardjhika and the monument of Aliosha, as well as the architectural complex Nebet Tepe including remains of an ancient Thracian settlement. There you can see one of the most spectacular views of the city – the Antique Theatre. Each summer the well preserved Roman theatre hosts many open-air concerts and plays. Plovdiv then turns into an international cultural home.Emblematic for Plovdiv are also: Roman Stadium, Philipopol’s Forum and many, many others. It is an interesting combination of contemporary architectural creations, modern buildings and the equipments with the ancient spirit and old-times appearance of Plovdiv. In the region it will be interesting for you to visit the Assen’s Fortress, the Thracians fortress Shtus (in village Sitovo), the revival settlements and sites main participants in the April Rising (Batac, Peshtera, Bracigovo and Perushtica), the fortress in Cepina near by Village Dorkovo and others. You will never be bored there. The big variety of museums, churches, archeological ruins, art halls, galleries, theatres, cinemas compete with different kinds and styles amusements, restaurants and attractions. The city hotels offer a variety and interesting options between all categories and styles accommodations and recreational sites. Except for the rich architectural-historical heritage Plovdiv is famous for its full of cultural events calendar – theatrical, folklore, and music show programs. It is a good basis for cultural and festival tourism development. A place you should not miss to visit is the Plovdiv Fair. Thematic collections of visitors from the whole country, local manufacturers from all the branches and products from all economic fields will surprise anybody of the city guests. Maritsa River with its presence has contributed to the mysterious and romantic appearance of the city. Besides it is a favorite place for the keen fishermen and the water sport lovers, there are numerous projects foreseeing to develop the potential of the Maritsa River as an eco-tourist and recreational site. Nowadays Plovdiv remains the second biggest and significant city in Bulgaria, following the Capital. It is important strategically and main industrial, commercial, scientific, cultural and communicational center. Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Byala (Varna) town information
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Location and historyByala is situated in Eastern Bulgaria near the border of Varna region with Bourgas region. The closest town, situated at a distance of about 5 km, is Obzor. Varna is situated at a distance of approximately 50 km north from Byala, and Bourgas – at a distance of approximately 70 km south from Byala. Irakli camp, one of the most untrodden spots at the Black Sea Coast, is located about 20 km to the south.The first settlement in the region of Byala probably emerged during the VІ century B.C., around the bay of Cape Saint Atanas. Up to now, the most ancient evidence that has been found for ships hitting the beach in the bay, are two remnants from stone-wooden anchors. They date back to the VІ century B.C. All exponents are exhibited in the Demonstration Centre “The White Rocks” in Byala. The settlement used to be located in the immediate vicinity of a famous Roman travel station /Templum Iovis/ and there was a Roman stronghold around it. The station was named after the temple of Zeus. As early as the first half of the 80s, the construction of the street network of Byala was completed. By 1984 a new bus terminal and a new building of the municipality council were opened. In 1986 a stadium and an outdoor cinema were opened. Even today, a significant part of the resources are invested in stabilization of the coastal line, the expansion of the sewage system, landscaping and maintenance of the town and the municipality. Byala was officially pronounced as a town on 5th of September, 1984. Economics and InvestmentsThe economic structure of the municipality is characterized with the development of tourism and agriculture. The most important elements of the natural resources of the town of Byala are the sea and its coast, the mountain with its forest and other mountain resources. These factors together with the lack of significant natural resources, besides the ones related to the sea, direct the development of the region in the area of tourism – elite marine tourism, including yacht tourism, combined with rural and hunting tourism. Transport: The first-class road I-9 Varna-Bourgas passes through the municipality. The construction of the highway Varna-Bourgas is expected to be implemented. For the development of the water transport in “Saint Atanas” bay, a quay wall and a small tourist port are constructed. The port is convenient for servicing the tourists, but not for loading and unloading activities. Water supply: out of the six settlements in Municipality of Byala, only the village of Samotino does not have water supply. The population is looking forward to the construction of the new water-main “Kamchiiski piasatsi”, which will fully satisfy the needs of the fast-growing population of Municipality of Byala. Electric supply: On the territory of Municipality of Byala there is a newly constructed power substation.Sewage system: Only the town of Byala is connected to the sewage system – 70% of the street network, while the remaining part of the town is either currently being connected or has a completed design. The other settlements are not connected to the sewage system.Mass media: The territory of Municipality of Byala has 100% coverage of radio and television signal. In the town of Byala there is also cable television. Internet: The internet access in the municipality is limited on the territory of the town of Byala, but the connection has a very good quality. There are several internet clubs in the town of Byala. Certainly, the mobile technologies allow internet connection from almost every place in the municipality. Healthcare: On the territory of the town of Byala there is one functioning polyclinic. There are two stomatological offices in the municipality.Education: In Municipality of Byala there are three functioning places for pre-school education, which are day nurseries – in the town of Byala, village of Popovich and village of Gospodinovo. Municipality of Byala has a primary school in the town of Byala, an elementary school in the village of Popovich and a high school in the town of Byala – a professional high school in agriculture, established in 1959. Culture: In the larger part of the villages in Municipality of Byala there are functioning community centres, some of which have been established more than 80 years ago.The coastal line of the municipality is characterized with a combination of a rocky coast, small bays and beach strips with sand dunes. The coast is steep and indented, which leads to a serious restriction of the beach potential, but on the other hand makes it more attractive, which is a precious resort resource.The total length of the sea shore is 14 300 m, or 3% from the total length of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. The larger part of the beach has an east, north-east and south-east exposition, which offers more optimal conditions for sun radiation.The existing port of Byala, which is currently being constructed, created conditions for equipping a yacht and a commercial port, which can perform the following functions: accepting passenger hydro-buses and hydroplanes; hitting the beach and performing re-loading operations from and to small commercial vessels; accepting tourist yachts – a yacht marine; equipping a pier for cutters and boats, which will serve the beach strip; equipping a pier for fishing boats; These main functions, which port Byala will be able to perform in the future, will create conditions for the development of passenger and commercial navigation and tourism. A preliminary design and a working design have been developed for the construction of the port.For the development of the water transport in “Saint Atanas” Bay a quay wall and a small tourist port have been constructed. One of the most perspective directions in the development of tourism is yacht sports, for which there are perfect conditions in the town. There is a design for the development of a yacht marine for about 70 yachts. It is planned that this region will also have a fishermen’s village. There are good opportunities for the development of fishing tourism and yachting. The necessary infrastructure has been constructed. The place successfully combines the forest and the sea. The project also plans strengthening of the coast.The investor is Municipality of Byala and the initially pronounced cost will amount to about 450 000 USD. The expected return on the investment is 10.00 %, and the final deadline for completing the project is 3-5 years.Project: Protection of the natural landmark “The White Rocks” and development of the scientific and attractive ecotourism:There is a well-known environmental natural site – “The White Rocks” in the municipality. The site was discovered by the Austrian professor Anton Preisinger, who proved that this is one of the three spots in the world, where one can best observe the Creda/Tertiary border. The site “The White Rocks” is of significant importance for the future goal to develop the ecological and scientific tourism on the territory of the municipality. The discovered signs from the cosmic cataclysm will attract scientific expeditions in the town even outside the active tourist season. A number of efforts have been made by the Municipality of Byala to preserve and make popular this phenomenon so that it can become part of the world history, which deserves to be shown to Bulgarian and foreign tourists. The main goal is to include the site “The White Rocks” – Byala in the list of sites that are significant for the human history, protected by UNESCO under the programme “World Heritage”. The project also plans the establishment of an Information Visitors’ Centre with all the necessary communications – road infrastructure with indicative signs and notices, telephone connection and water supply and sewage. The construction of the necessary infrastructure will provide an opportunity for building commercial and service sites that will serve the journey of the tourists who visit the site “The White Rocks”. This will lead to an increase in the number of employed local people in the tourism sector, to creation of conditions for attraction of foreign investment in the tourism sector. Municipality of Byala is a traditional centre for growing and harvesting grapes, for the vine and winery industry and for fishing. For this purpose the municipality plans the establishment of a market for wholesale and retail trade of the agricultural production. The market will be located in the central part of the town of Byala, in the immediate vicinity of the town square and the main public buildings. The deadline for its establishment is 2 years.The construction of the road between Byala and Shkorpilovtsi has been planned, for which there is a technical design and funding from the government is expected. There will be different types of buildings at these places, such as holiday settlements, residential buildings, and expensive hotels. The territories necessary for the investors for a golf playground in the region have also been already purchased. The types of businesses that are developed in Byala are: hotel and restaurant management, agriculture, hunting and forestry; trade; repairs and technical service of automobiles, motorcycles, private belongings and household appliances; processing industry; The investment interest in Byala is very high at the moment. Modern residential buildings, hotels, houses and villas are being constructed.Tourism is the main sector that is developed in Byala. There is a solid material base for resort and rest, which will develop with a very fast pace in the near future. The plans and efforts are directed toward yacht tourism. One of the traditional occupations in Byala is winery and vine-growing. On the territory of Byala there are large territories of vine plantations. Another sector that is well-developed in Byala is fishing. Since ancient times the local population used the sea to make a living. There is a preliminary design for the establishment of a fishing village close to the port of Byala. The banking and insurance sectors are well-developed – in Byala there are several branches of banks and insurance companies. There is an ATM machine in the centre of the town.Besides the branches of banks, other well-known companies have not opened offices in the municipality. The main big investors in municipality of Byala are national and international construction companies. Development of the real estate marketThe renting relationships on the territory of the town of Byala in the form, which the contemporary economic theory is familiar with, started to develop during the last 4-5 years. With the construction of hotels, complexes of apartments and luxurious resort houses, the rents turned into the main source of income for the local population. Depending on the quality of the accommodation offered and on the season, the prices vary from 4 euro per person per bed for one night for regular rooms and reach 15 euro per person per bed for one night in a luxurious studio, breakfast included during the active season. The prices for rents for the luxurious apartments have a tendency to increase, while the prices for rent in old houses do not increase so much. Demand for premises for rent is low outside the active season with a tendency to create opportunities for year-long occupation of the bed capacity during attractions outside the season. During the last 7 years Byala transformed from a small holiday settlement to a rapidly developing resort centre with modernizing infrastructure and bed capacity. The prices in the region followed the trend of fast increase during the period 2002 – 2005. In 2002 and 2003 the increase was so high, that the real estate prices in Byala at the end of the year were up to three times higher than the prices at the beginning of the same year. Today, a stable increase in the real estate prices is observed, which follows the level of development of the local infrastructure. Tourism and places of interestByala is primarily a tourist centre and during the last years the larger part of the population’s income has come from this economic sector. Byala offers tourist destinations and attractions, such as:Demonstration centre “The White Rocks” – established in 2001. The purpose of this centre is to present the natural landmark “The White Rocks” in the town of Byala. The White Rocks are a continuous rock geological profile with a geochronological Creda-Tertiary dividing line and an accompanying iridium and rare metal anomaly. Byala is the forth place in the world, where signs of the gigantic cosmic cataclysm at the Creda-Tertiary frontier has been discovered, which led to the end of the dinosaur’s era and gave the opportunity for the development of the mammals.The water slide in Byala is located at the central beach. It was opened in 1987. There is a fast food restaurant with 55 seats close to it.In Byala there are functioning hotels, holiday homes, private accommodation and independent rooms that provide accommodation and comfort for the town’s guests at reasonable prices and high-quality service.Rural tourism:This is an opportunity to visit a village house and re-enact the authentic habits. Horse riding is also offered.Since the region of Byala is popular as a vine and winery region, the local wine-cellar has its own vine-growing areas, sawn with the most suitable wine sorts of grapes for the region. The visitors are offered a visit to the local wine-cellar. The wine-cellar produces small batches of high-quality white and red wines, designed mainly for wine-tasting. A new wine-tasting place was opened for the visitors, where they can enjoy selected wines produced by the wine-cellar. An important direction of development in the municipality is the creation of conditions for wide-spread practicing of physical culture and sports. In 1986 the stadium in Byala with 1000 seats was opened. In the town of Byala there are conditions for practicing the following sports: soccer, table tennis, chess, basketball, swimming and others. Competitions in track-and-field athletics, soccer, basketball, tennis and other sports are organized. These events are traditional for the town mainly during the period of the Sea’s Week. In 1975 an outdoor theatre with 1200 seats was constructed.During the summer Byala reveals numerous opportunities for water sports, such as water skiing, water jetting, diving and aqua gliding. The guests are offered a visit to the local wine-cellar. The cellar produces small batches of high-quality white and red wines, designed primarily for wine-tasting. A new wine-tasting place was opened for the visitors, where they can enjoy selected wines produced by the wine-cellar. In summer there are many attractions, restaurants and bars in Byala. Public transport is organized in the evening to one of the largest disco clubs in the countries, located at the beginning of the neighbouring town of Obzor. It is expected that Byala will turn into a modern tourist town at the centre of the Black Sea Coast with a strategic location. In addition, the municipality has about 15 kilometres of beach strip and a unique seacoast and there are very few municipalities that have so many free territories as Byala. However, they have to cope with NATURA 2000. The second port is currently at the stage of design preparation and an intense construction of a holiday settlement is taking place. The goal is that in 2007, when the first yacht from the Netherlands will arrive, the port will be partly opened, and a year later it will be finalized. Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Smolyan town information
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Location and historyThe town of Smolyan is settled in the very heart of the Rhodope Mountain. The closest big city is the city of Plovdiv. Starting from there you travel on a picturesque and winding road to reach the welcoming town of Smolyan where you can forget your exhaustion. Located in the heart of the mountain and at the same time being an administrative center the town of Smolyan plays an important role in the development of the whole area. The settlement is situated 260 km South-East of Sofia, 100 km South of Plovdiv (the second biggest city in Bulgaria with an international airport) and 10 km South of Pamporovo ski resort. The town of Smolyan is located in the central part of the Rhodope Mountains about 800-1000 meters above the sea level. It spreads over 879 sq. km., 67% of which is covered with conifer forests. Nowadays Smolyan, Raikovo and Ustovo are the biggest quarters of Smolyan town, populated with around 32 000 people. A large number of interesting natural sights and handmade crafts could be seen in the three residential districts. The town combines ancient and modern history. It will enchant you with a fantastic combination of old-fashioned and modern architecture, pleasant delightful linden fragrance in the beginning of the summer, with the colorful autumn magic and the white quietness of the winter season. If you like comfort of the city lifestyle and at the same time you are keen on skiing – Smolyan is the perfect place for your holiday. Among the majestic mountain uplands there are evergreen woods and colored meadows even in the town itself. Nestled among the woods, as scattered pieces of crystal sparkle you can see Smolan Lakes – each of them with its own appearance and charm. There are a lot of places to visit, where you could taste the traditional Rhodopean and Bulgarian dishes, to listen and see the popular Rhodopean songs and dances. A man feels himself great and small, strong and weak, captivated by emotions and ready to feel the mountain pulse. The public transportation network in the municipality is serviced by 17 transport companies with 86 buses and 180 taxi cars. The town itself together with it’s near by villages are very attractive for thousands of tourists both seasons – winter and summer. HistoryAccording to archaeological evidence, the area around Smolyan was first inhabited in the 2nd-1st millennium BC. It bares its name from the Slavic tribe of the Smolyani that settled in the region in the 7th century. Part of the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires during the Middle Ages, it was ruled by the 14th-century Bulgarian feudal lord Momchil along with the whole Rhodopes for a while before being entirely subjugated by the Ottoman Empire. Smolyan remained under Ottoman rule for five centuries, a township of the Ottoman Komotini (Gümülcine) sanjak in Edirne vilayet between 1867 and 1912. It was known in Ottoman Turkish as Paşmaklı or Ahiçelebi. The area was occupied by the 21st Sredna Gora Regiment led by Vladimir Serafimov in 1912, during the First Balkan War. The modern town of Smolyan was formed by the merger of three existing villages Ustovo, Raykovo and Ezerovo in 1960. Investments and development of the real estate marketImportant precondition for the town’s economic progress is the fact that Smolyan is the main administrative center in this area. Smolyan district includes the following municipalities: Smolyan, Devin, Chepelare, Madan, Rudozem, Nedelino, Banite and Borino. Smolyan Municipality is the biggest one. Its development plan foresees the following actions:- Formation of better business conditions – quick administrative procedures, alleviation when issuing permissions and licenses, patent taxes concessions suggestions;- Realization of the projects related with:• Smolyan town gasification;• Sport and Tourist Center “Perelik”;• Water purifying plants and equipment • Construction of third road-bed on the Assenovgrad-Smolyan road ІІ86• Construction of the road to Bulgarian-Greek border between the settlements Rudozem and Ksanti;• Completion of the main encircling road next to the Smolyan town.The project related to the construction of the new road to the new Bulgarian - Greek border station between Rudozem and Ksanti is part of Financial Memorandum 2003 under PHARE Program which arranges the collaboration between the republics of Bulgaria and Greece. The negotiations between the building contractor and the road construction supervision determine the total price of the building contract to be 6 949 988.65 euro. Financial support of 4 915 845.63 euro is provided by the EU PHARE program and there is a national financial support of 2 034 143.02 euro. A big project, called “Perelik”, plans to connect the peak with the same name with Pamporovo and with Mechi chal peak located North-East in Chepelare region. The project will be completed on 1300 to 2191 meters above sea level, where the snow cover stays 45 days longer than in Pamporovo. The resort will include a system of ski tracks, ski equipment, artificial snow machines, 24 lift routes, shelters and fortifying stations on the ski tracks, ski wardrobes, spacious and comfortable covered parking lots, resting places, sport and entertaining, as well as hotels. The complex offers excellent natural conditions for practicing both winter ski tourism and summer recreational tourism (tracking, mountain cycling, caving, tennis, swimming). The subsequent project stage foresees the construction of a congress center and a golf course with only one purpose - to shorten the period of off season tourist visits and effective usage of “STC Perelik” capacity. The tracks will be constructed according to the most modern standards and their total length will be about 55 km. EconomicsTourism, mining, timber, machine and textile industries and livestock rising are the major industries in the municipality. The main vegetables grown in the region are potatoes (about 30% of the national production), also crops such as rye and barley. Raising sheep, pigs and cattle is of greater importance for the farming in this area.The economic activity in the main economic sectors in Smolyan municipality distributes as follows:• Manufacture -37.6%• Trading and services 0.9%• Construction 8.2%• Agriculture and livestock breeding 4.3%• Hotels and restaurants 3.9%Smolyan Municipality aims to produce mainly bio products. Local administration foresees 70% of its budget to be used for supporting tourism, improving the infrastructure, and for all needed activities, which refer to the improvement of the region appearance. Property market in the region – history, facts, expectationsBefore the years 2003-2004 property market in Smolyan district was slow. This refers to the residential properties, as well plots of land. However, the property market boom in Bulgaria did not miss the Rhodope area. About three years ago the prices of luxurious apartment complexes in the area around the town of Smolyan reached the level of the prices of the residential properties in the Bulgarian big cities. This trend is caused by the low standard of construction and the constantly rising property demand throughout the last 2 years. That kind of interest was shown mainly from well-off Bulgarian citizens, who were willing to invest in residences in the central part of Smolyan town and to use them as a place, where they could spend their ski holiday or just to rent their property out during the winter season. The nature all around, Pamporovo ski resort and the possibility for organizing individual tourist walks are the basic reasons for this interest. In the years of 2004 and 2005 the average prices of the residential properties increased with 62.7%. The apartment’s average price is 275 euros per sq. m. and 545 euros per sq. m. is the average house price.Smolyan’s closeness to Greece gives a positive influence over the property prices and over the property rental income in the region. Moreover the project for the construction of second ski complex “Perelik” is a power of attraction for more and more tourists, visitors and investors, of course. The crowded winter resorts in the other parts of the country were the reason investors were motivated to focus their attention to the potential of the Rhodopes – one of the preferable places for winter relaxation. For the period 2004 - 2005 Pamporovo complex attendance has increased with 30%; there were built new hotels with a capacity more than 1000 people. During this period there were investments for over 55 million euro. The foreign interest in old stone Rhodopean houses in the near-by villages, built in accordance to the traditional Rhodopean style became the reason local people to welcome their new foreign neighbors. There are properties of that kind offered for sale and their prices vary round 100-160 euro per sq. m. Such properties usual features are beautiful panorama and spacious yard. The newly built houses in the region cost about 1100 euro per sq. m. The increasing interest of western buyers in Pamporovo and the region during the last year led to increase of the property prices with 20%, as they became similar like the property prices in our capital city. The apartment prices in the ski resort vary round 800-1400 euro per sq. m. the most expensive apartment price in Pamporovo is 1600 euros per sq. m. and the average price in this segment is about 1000 euros per sq. m.All the deals with properties in the winter resort Pamporovo reflected the property prices in Smolyan district. As a result Smolyan became one of the towns, where the biggest rise in the property prices was registered – 33.5% for 2006.There is an analogous trend with the land market in the region. Just 2-3 years ago enormous plots of agricultural land were still purchased at a knock out price. Nowadays the prices are still varying, but on higher levels. Plot of regulated land near Pamporovo could be bought for 38-205 euros per sq. m., and unregulated plot in the same area is 12-132 euro per sq. m. In the other country sides of the district the prices are determined in accordance to plots advantages and characteristics, as well as its proximity to the resort. You can still find out plots of agricultural land and pasture grounds in exchange for 12-25 euros per sq. m. Property agents expect some stability of land prices, as the market principle demand/supply will naturally balance the prices. 20 times rise in the price of land was recorded for plots located near the Greek border. It is because of the forthcoming border checkpoint – Rudozem. Before this post starts working, prices of unregulated plots of land vary from 13 to 15 euro per sq. m. Construction of the road connecting Zlatograd (Golden town) with Termes began with high intensity. The opening of these two border checkpoints and the third one local near the village of Gorna Arda will create conditions for more active tourism in Smolyan Municipality, and this will surely have an effect on border property prices. Pamporovo ski resort – one of the most southern European ski complexes is located only round 10 km far from Smolyan town. Winter season here is fairy and gives an opportunity for winter sports practicing and great number of different attractions. The summer here is full of entertainment – the mountain provides amusements and entertainments of every sort and kind for those of you, who are keen on our door activities. The region is famous with the longevity of the local people who live here. Typical for this region are the following health features: mountain air breeze circulation, negative air ionization, high biological UV area, air with low microbe quantity, high clean air intensity.There are a lot of perspectives in front of this part of Rhodopes. Forthcoming construction of several significant mega projects (such as STC “Perelik”, “Gela”, etc.) is main characteristic of the region. The infrastructure will be improved in short time. The nearest airport is Plovdiv airport and at present serves visitors mainly with charter flight, but there are plans the airport to serve general flights soon. The flight duration to the UK is approximately 3 and a half hrs. The closeness to Greece is a good advantage, too. The construction of an airport near Smolyan and three-bed motorway 100 km long connecting “Trakia” motorway with the town of Smolyan is planned to be completed. TourismTourism is not only a priority, but a perspectives source, which the representatives of the local administration associate with the infrastructure, investments and employment in the municipality. According to them the region will be developing mainly in this sphere, because there are enough interesting places, which will attract tourists in the region. Next year the municipality will have the following aims:• Stage by stage realization of the tourist project “Perelik”;• Establishing of tourist product “Orpheus’ Mountain” – combining customs, manners, ethno culture, historical heritage, natural forms;• Building a network of tourist information centers located in the bigger settlements. • Improving the infrastructure to the places of interest; • Realization of tourist projects financed by national and international EU programs;• Popularizing the natural phenomena such as “mursalski” tea, the air with negative ionization, Smolyan Lakes and all caves in the vicinity suitable for tourist attractions;• Developing of a fishing tourism; • Advertising the tourist sites and products of Smolyan Municipality. Last years, in order to attract more tourists the municipality of Smolyan diversified its offers for tourism in the area. Some of the newest tourist attractions in the region are realized with the financial support of EU program PHARE. Among them are the recently opened for tourists information centers located in close proximity to the rock phenomena “Wonderful Bridges” and the National astronomic observatory in Rozhen Peak, as well as the information center in village Gela. From this mountain village, which is frequent host of bag-pipe overplaying, starts a newly created eco-trail, financed by PHARE program. In the Rhodope mountain Christians and Muslims have lived together for centuries in peace and understanding. In many villages there are both a church and a mosque. It is well worth crossing the mountain and visiting the unique preserved temples which are part of the local cultural and historical heritage which dates more than 1000 years ago.Here one still can find untouched and unvisited places – beautiful, full of astonishing diversity of wild species. The region is rich with Christian temples dated back from the period of the early ages, medieval basilicas, ancient chapels, churches and monasteries from the Bulgarian Revival, scattered throughout the Rhodopes and visited by thousands disciples and tourists, enveloped by myths and legends. There still could be found vessels, adornments, and implements, dug into the earth by our ancestors. Today historians, restorers, archeologists and thousands of tourists from the country and abroad show great interest in these sanctuaries. Sports facilitiesAll kind of sports facilities are constructed on the territory of Smolyan Municipality. The most popular are skiing and snowboarding facilities in Pamporovo ski center and the ski centers of the smaller settlements in the vicinity. Here you can became a member of some of the clubs for recreation such as hiking, caving, summer and ski orientation, rock climbing, swimming, football, basketball, etc.For those of you, who are keen on golf, there is a project for a golf course in the project STC ”Perelik”. Places of interestSmolyan town gives a chance to its guests to visit the biggest planetarium on the Balkans. Periodically thematic expositions are arranged in the Historical Museum in the town. One of the newest attractions is the traditional Rhodopean clothes review, which will be organized if you have placed a preliminary request to the Regional Historical Museum in Smolyan. The models are amateurs, members in the local cultural club. Museum’s collection is rich enough – more than 170 authentic completed suits. Gaining knowledge of the Rhodopean way of living and manners could be a very exiting experience for you. The straggled among the mountain slopes villages are with houses older than 200 years, entirely made of stone and wood. Some of the houses have been announced for architectural reserves. There is an intact neighborhood in the district main town, where you can see old-time houses-museums, which owners were Smolyan men of note.If you go out for a walk through the town you will see man-made sculptures, as well as beautiful natural forms. In the town you can also listen to the magic sounds of the Bulgarian folklore – the youth folklore ensemble comprises of singers and musicians from all ages and they fascinate people all over the world with their folk art. Ever present part of each performance is the sound of the traditional “kaba” – bagpipe.In the center of the main district town all administrative buildings are stacked up in a spot and they will surely charm you with their architecture. Except for them the central street is set with big number of small shops and cafes, where your can walk and meeting friends is always pleasant and interesting. In Smolyan town you can easily find restaurants, where you will be served delicious dishes in a typical atmosphere. A lot of family restaurants and places for entertaining offer traditional Rhodopean dishes, to the sounds of the authentic folklore songs, accompanied with bagpipe. There is something we have no doubt about and it is: once you have visited these places, you can not stay indifferent and will comeback here over and over again. Source: www.bgp.bg |
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Kavarna town information
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Location and historyThe municipality of Kavarna encompasses the most eastern place of the Danube plain and is part of Dobrudzha's coastline. It covers a total territory of 483 000 dca, distributed between 21 populated areas and beaches amounts to 74 000 sq. m. The town offers a regular bus transport to the nearest settlements, as well as to the capital city of Bulgaria- Sofia, and to Varna and its international airport which stands some about 65km. away. The town of Kavarna is only about 40km away from the border of Romania. Kavarna is one of the ancient towns along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. An old Thracian village lied in the place of the present-day town. In the 5th century BC Greek colonials were attracted by the convenient bay, the abundant springs, the fertile land and strategic location of the hills. They founded the colony Byzone on the Chirakman plateau, but a disastrous earthquake destroyed the frontal part of the gore and a great part of the town sunk into the sea. During the Roman Empire the town was restored under the same name and it quickly flourished. In the 7th century the Slavs and Proto-Bulgarians destroyed the town and founded the settlement of Karvuna on the Gore Chirakman. In the Middle Ages, Karvuna was already a popular town. The present-day name of the town was mentioned for the first time at the beginning of the 15th century. During the Turkish invasion the town was almost destroyed, but in the second half of the 17th century it was rebuilt. 1877 will be remembered as the year when the citizens of Kavarna started their fight for freedom. The town was subjected to fire and massacre and after the liberation it was revived as a monument of heroism of the rebellious local citizens. Economy, Investments and development of the real estate marketNowadays Kavarna is a contemporary town with modern infrastructure and well- developed service in activities. Its architecture and set-up correspond to all the European requirements for contemporary administrative service. The roads to the tourists’ sites have been reconstructed. Modern infrastructure has been built. New eco paths lure tourists. The rapid economic and cultural agitation catches the attention of many Bulgarian and foreign investors. Near Kavarna 2 golf courses are under construction, one of which is part of the five biggest golf playgrounds in the world, both designed by Gary Player. The town stadium is a recognized world stage of music stars. The fellows of Kavarna live with the self-confidence of the Balkans rock capital citizens. For the last three years only the municipal budget has increased four times. Nowadays in Kavarna are realizing a lot of project aiming: construction of golf courses; differentiate of a new beach coast line; promoting and developing the regional tourist capacity; modernizing the infrastructure in the villages around; constructing of a new water – purify station; constructing of a mini football playground according the standards of UEFA; there is a project for investing in the local mussels plantation...a number of project which results can be seen. Kavarna has a fishing base, a yacht port, a beach shore and incremental resort complexes. The appropriate use of the region’s natural resources gives possibilities for competitive production, especially in the field of food and beverage industry, which means is a precondition for the attraction of new partners, creditors, and investors. The region is one of the big agriculture producers in Bulgaria. The bases of industrial production of cultivated mussels have also been laid. Priority of the municipality is turning Kavarna into a well- developed place for labor and living. For the last couple of years, because of the tourist flow, Kavarna Resort turned into one of the most attractive spots for property development, investment at the Bulgarian North seaside. A lot of Bulgarian, international and companies with foreign partnership decided to invest here and some of them already opened their branches as our company “ BGP Services “ Ltd. Investors as Planex Ltd, An & Di Ltd, Innovative Creations, IC Build Ltd, CPM Ltd … ,are depositing a lot of million levas in here. The world famous Gary Player and Ian Woosnam designed 3 of the golf courses located in the vicinity.One of the most interesting things is that the Swedish count Michael James is constructing a villa settlement in a hamlet near Kavarna. Some famous French and Spanish companies also are investing in construction of hotels and open gated complexes. Not only famous and competitive companies are putting their signs in here, may be you know that rock stars from more than 20 word famous rock groups have yet played in the small seaside town which infected with its example and helps with experience to other Bulgarian municipal centers. Names as Glenn Hughes, John Lawton, Dio, Billy Idol, Philip Kirkorov, Ivo Papazov (Ibryama) are gathering thousands of people regularly. This is the reason that the town of Kavarna is now famous as the Rock capital city on the Balkans. Its mayor Tsonko Tsonev not for nothing was announced for the man of the year 2005. The rental potential of the region and the seasons in which there are a lot of visitors is expecting to be extended, when the golf courses will be finished and ready to use. The rental incomes depend on the kind of the complex, the number of facilities which it provides, its closeness to the beach and to the golf courses and of course it depend on the market index of the real estate branch in the region. According to our statistic, if you are purchasing a recently built apartment the approximately guarantee rental income starts from 5 % of the price of your property for the fist year and for the next it is rising, of course if you have a contract with a good management company. One of the things which will influence positively is the expecting that the weather will become milder which will create a precondition for almost all year round golf sports. So this is the reason that makes the letting companies give us promising for more rental incomes. The prices are varying, depending on the property which you are renting or renting out. If you want to stay at a hotel or complex near the sea you will have to pay not less than 30 Euro. If you want to be in town the prices are lower – you can find a bad in a private house for around 10 Euro per night. The luxury apartments and maisonette in the high season are offering on the prices around 75 Euro. Here you can find as a cheap sleep as more expensive one- everything is depending on your wished and budget. The economic sectors of prior importance for the municipality of Kavarna are agriculture, tourism, light and food industry. The plain- hilly terrain and the mild climate are a precondition for the constructing of golf courses around. The municipality offers a number of alleviations for the investors as affording an opportunity for free building permit. If you decided to invest here the municipality can give you leverage, depending on the type of your investment. On the other side, Bulgarian parliament accept a new amendment for decreasing the corporate tax with 5 %, which means that you will gave to pay 10 % instead of 15%. In the last years the prices of all the properties located in a close proximity to the golf courses are considerably raised. On the other side the prices of the properties in the other part of the municipality are not so different because of the large amount of offers on the market. The prices of the real estates are expected to become more expensive, because of the Bulgarian membership in the European Union and this is the main reason that most of the buyers are purchasing properties with investment aim. The prices in the region are still acceptable, so there is still time for good investment. The prices of the off-plan apartments located in open gated complex on the sea shore of Kavarna are about 1000-1150 Euro per sq.m, The prices are varying according to the seasons. The prices are rising in the summer season with around 150 per sq.m and respectively in winter they are cheaper, so the season for summer investment you can make more profitable in winter. Here you can find a plot of land with prices starting from 1150 Euro up to more than 1 million Euro, depending on the type of the land, its regulation, location and square meters. The prices of the houses starts from around 20 000 Euro, again depending on the condition of the house, its location, living and garden area. The renal office prices are rising as the central part is now reconstructing according to the western standards. The reasons that will influence the rising of the prices and respectively the investment potential, are a lot:1. The main one is that Kavarna is in a country which is the newest member of the European Union2. The region is forming as a golf area, as one of the five biggest golf playgrounds is under construction here, another one also will be located in the vicinity, both of the golf courses are designed by Gary Player, who already purchase his property in here; 3. The town is small and cozy, offers perfect condition for a good vacation;4. The town is not overbuild and provides all the needed facilities for comfortable living 5. It is not crowded but at the same time it is gathering a lot of rock stars and respectively tourists; 6. The region has a rich history and a lot of ancient places which deserves your attention; 7. Perfect potential which the mayor of the town is fast developing 8. Strategic location which offers precondition for very good and refundable business activities;9. Good infrastructure and good future for the hospitable people in the villages where there are a lot of project for development;10. The level of the criminality is very low, it is safety for you and your family;11. Here you can’t see any totter or beggars; 12. People are very hospitable and always will help you even though they didn’t understand you completely; TourismDuring the last few years Kavarna has won recognition as a new and attractive destination at the tourists’ exchanges of Sofia, Berlin, Moscow, Minsk and Kiev. Its sea tourism is a trade mark of Kavarna. The rich cultural and historical heritage of the region is warrant of the exploiting tourism furthering. The municipality possesses rich potential and unused resources for the development of sea vacation tourism. Within the municipality territory three resort zones differentiate – Ikantalaka, Bolata and Roussalka. The annual cultural calendar includes expositions and more than 10 high-carat fests which with no disadvantage measure their value with the festivals of the biggest Bulgarian and even with some of the biggest European cities. Thousands of tourist are visiting the famous “Summer Life Fest” in order to see and song with their fetishes from “ Uriah Heap”, Saxon”, “Rainbow”, “ Black Sabbath”, “ Deep Purple”, “Masterplan”, “Axel Rudi Pell”, “Scorpions”, “White Snake”, “Slipknot”…and other . The region has a very good material basis for the development of cultural, hunting and rural tourism as well. Kavarna offers wonderful opportunities for development of eco-tourism in all its forms. You can have a family holiday in the cozy environment of a traditional village house in Blagarevo, Kamen Bryag, or Topola. Those who prefer specialized tourism can go watching and taking pictures of birds, plants, dolphins and different kinds of fish at the foreside, or to get acquainted with the rich cultural and historical heritage. Kavarna also offers a unique landscape in the spring when the steppe flora blossom out in all its beauty. Bird’s lovers could leave with unforgettable impressions in every time of the year. The great variety of bird species attract tourists from all over the world and makes Kaliakra and Yaylata turn into one of the most preferred places in Bulgaria for the development of ornithological tourism. The presence of mineral springs make the medical tourism, very popular – here you can go one a medication as prophylactic as if it necessity. The development of modern infrastructure and the alternative forms of tourism gives good conditions for investor interest in the region. The things which attract a lot of tourists are steadily increasing, because of the golf courses and rock concerts. Kavarna has a very good material basis for the development of golf sports. The sea and coastline is a precondition for practicing different kinds of aquatic sports and underwater sports as well. You can swim in the water pool which attracts with its Olympic size and its spring mineral water. There are mini and big football playgrounds where the keen on football can enjoy the game. Here you | | |