Sozopol (Bulgaria)

Sozopol (Bulgarian: Созопол [soˈzɔpoɫ]; Greek: Σωζόπολις, romanized: Sozopolis) is an ancient seaside town located 35 km south of Burgas on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. One of the major seaside resorts in the country, it is known for the Apollonia art and film festival (which takes place in early September) that is named after one of the town's ancient names. Part of Burgas Province and administrative centre of the homonymous Sozopol Municipality, as of December 2009, the town has a population of 5,410 inhabitants. In antiquity, the place was the site of a prosperous Greek colony named Antheia and later known as Apollonia. In 72 BC it was devastated by a Roman siege, and became a small town of lesser importance. By the first century AD, the name Sozopolis began to appear in written records. The busiest times of the year are the summer months, ranging from May to September, as tourists from around the world come to enjoy the weather, sandy beaches, history and culture, fusion cuisine (Balkan and Mediterranean), and atmosphere of the colourful resort.