Bulgaria | World Heritage Explorer

Bulgaria has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1974. With 10 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage. One of these properties is shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

Bulgaria as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: March 7, 1974

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1978-1983, 1985-1991, 2021-2025

Total of Mandate Years: 15

Total of Mandates: 3

WHC Electoral Group: II (Eastern Europe)

World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria (10)

Cultural: 7 | Natural: 3 | Mixed: 0

Ancient City of Nessebar · Cultural
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe · Natural (Transboundary)
Boyana Church · Cultural
Madara Rider · Cultural
Pirin National Park · Natural
Rila Monastery · Cultural
Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo · Cultural
Srebarna Nature Reserve · Natural
Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak · Cultural
Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (16)

Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes · submitted: January 31, 2020
Bishop's Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis, Roman Province of Thrace · submitted: January 29, 2018
The royal necropolis of the Thracian city of Seuthopolis – a serial site, extension of the Kazanlak Thracian tomb · submitted: February 26, 2016
Vratsa Karst Nature Reserve · submitted: October 10, 2011
Rocks of Belogradchik · submitted: October 10, 2011
Central Balkan National Park · submitted: October 10, 2011
Pobiti Kamani Natural Monument · submitted: October 10, 2011
The Ancient Plovdiv · submitted: September 14, 2004
Thracian Tomb with Wall Paintings beside Alexandrovo village · submitted: September 14, 2004
Two neolithic dwellings with their interior and household furnishings and utensils completely preserved · submitted: October 1, 1984
The Magoura cave with drawings from the bronze age · submitted: October 1, 1984
The ancient town of Nicopolis ad Istrum · submitted: October 1, 1984
The late ancient tomb of Silistra · submitted: October 1, 1984
The Bachkovo Monastery · submitted: October 1, 1984
The town of Melnik and the Rozhen Monastery · submitted: October 1, 1984
The Roussensky Lom National Park · submitted: October 1, 1984

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Bulgaria

Official Name: Republic of Bulgaria

Continent: Europe

Subregion: Southeast Europe

UNESCO Region: Europe and North America

Capital: Sofia

Population (2024): 6,444,366

Land Area: 108,560 km²

Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Bulgaria

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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