Yaylata – National Archaeological Reserve

The lands of the Bulgarian Riviera have been inhabited since ancient times and today in many maritime towns and resorts one can see historical monuments of enormous importance. It is the perfect opportunity to reconcile seaside holidays and cultural tourism, meeting centuries of history.

We will immerse ourselves in the romance of the well-preserved historical and natural sights on the northern Black Sea coast with the Yaylata National Archaeological Reserve.

Yaylata, a walk haunted by the spirit of ancient history could recharge your energy. The site was declared a National Archaeological Reserve in 1989. It covers a large area, starting north of the village of Kamen Bryag and extending south to the Rusalka holiday resort. The reserve is located on a picturesque height above the sea with 60 meters of massive rocks.

The Yaylata site is surrounded by a lot of history. Legend has it that the Roman poet Ovid, exiled to the city of Tomis (now Constanţa) by Emperor Augustus, spent his last days on Yayla. His friends took him out of the town of Tomis by boat. Ovid took refuge in Yailata Bay and was hidden from the locals.

NATURE

“Yaylata” not only preserves cultural and historical monuments, but is also a unique natural resource. The flora and fauna are diverse. The migratory route of birds via Pontica also passes here. Many tourists who are interested in biology come here. Others just want to enjoy the beautiful view of the flowers. The place is very pretty towards the end of April, when it is colored by the flowers which grow there en masse. During the summer in the sea you can see a lot of dolphins because it is a place where they are not worried by anyone.

THE CAVES

On the territory of the reserve, there are a large number of caves carved by hand or grouped into complexes. Only in Golyama Yaila there are 101. The caves are located on several levels in the steep slopes. They have been used for millennia as dwellings, some as tombs or churches. At the beginning of the Byzantine period – V – VI century, they served as a monastery.

VIA PONTICA

Almost 70% of the birds inhabiting the European continent can be observed in Bulgaria due to the ornithological routes of transcontinental migration that cross our country – Via Pontica and Via Aristotelis, the wetlands along the Bulgarian Black Sea and Danube coast. , as well as the various natural conditions in the interior. The most suitable places for viewing are along the Danube coast and along the northern Black Sea coast (including Yailata, Cape Kaliakra).

The Via Pontica is the second busiest migration route in Europe. After Gibraltar (Spain), most of the birds of Europe and Asia pass through this migration corridor. The Via Pontica runs along the Black Sea coast.

At the very beginning of the reserve there is a parking lot and an information center where, in addition to buying a ticket, you can receive detailed information about the site.