he cultural diversity of Bulgaria is a combination ofintellectual, aesthetic, artistic and spiritual live of the nation throughout its millennium-old history. A homeland of great names and achievements, Bulgaria possesses many marvelous cultural treasures in its numerous archeological sites, monasteries, museums, art galleries and libraries.

TREASURES

Travelers should certainly visit and experience Bulgaria's cultural treasures - the tombs from Thracian ties - the Domed Tomb in the town of Kazanlak (IV-III c. B.C.) with its spatial design murals which are of exceptional interest in the world's cultural heritage, the monumental rocky relief from the time of the First Bulgarian Kingdom - the Madara Rider near the town of Shumen - a majestic horseman, 23 m above ground level in an almost vertical hundred-meter high cliff that calls forth admiration and excitement even today - thirteen centuries after its creation., the Rocky Monasteries (IX-XII c.) hewn high into the rocks, 32 meters above the waters of Roussenski Lom River near the village of Ivanovo, Rila Monastery (X c.) in the mountain of Rila, Boyana Church (1259) near Sofia - a unique monument with wonderful frescoes and the oldest realistic images of art in Medieval Europe created before the Italian Renaissance, the ancient town of several civilizations Nessebar on the Black Sea coast where archaeological researches are continuing to study the area, inspired by the possibility for new, valuable discoveries, Varna Golden Treasure (4600-4200 B.C.) which is the oldest golden treasure discovered in Europe so far. The National Museum of History in Sofia is one of the largest history museums on the Balkans containing more than 500,000 objects of fine art, archaeology and ethnography that provide a comprehensive view on Bulgarian history from Prehistory to the present.

Bulgaria's strong music tradition has given the world brilliant folklore and opera singers who are among the planet's most celebrated for years. Bulgarian music ensembles are not less known. Sofia concert halls host performances of Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Svetoslav Obretenov Choir, and the Ensemble for Folklore Songs and Dances Philip Quttev. Many interesting and prestigious cultural events can be attended in Bulgaria all year round - Sofia Music Weeks - held each year from the end of May till the end of June - including all music genres - symphonic, chamber and chorus music, ballet and opera performances, the annual New Year Music Festival for symphonic and opera music, National Folklore Gathering, International Festival of Chamber Music, International Summer Ballet Academy, Apollonia Festival of Arts held annually in Sozopol at the beginning of September, Festival of Music and Scenic Art in the Antique Theater in Plovdiv, the recently established annual performance Opera on the Square in Sofia - magnificent opera shows in the open.

Art galleries keep masterpieces of Bulgarian artists from the National Revival Period to the present. The largest and most inclusive collections of Bulgarian painting and sculpture art can be seen at the National Art Gallery in Sofia, Sofia City Gallery, Art Gallery of the St. St. Cyril and Methodius Foundation. Besides, the incredible Bulgarian icon painting art developed over a thousand years ago will amaze travelers with its wealth of vivid images revealing the purest aspects of artists' spiritual feelings.