Unique visit to Saint Anastasia Island in the Bulgarian Black Sea

Be secluded in an island in the Black Sea with a 40 minute ride from Bourgas port to Saint Anastasia Island.St. Anastasia Island is turning into destination of the region and major attraction on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast after being completely restored and renovated under a European project.The island was inhabited by monks in the 14th century; pirates burned repeatedly the monastery buildings; and in 1923 the government turned it into a prison for opponents of the regime. In 1945 prisoners were sent again to the island, this time by the new "power of the people". The entire turbulent history of the island will be preserved and exhibited in the building of the former monastery.Today, after the restoration and reconstruction, there are no traces left of this dramatic past. Everything looks like an ethnographic complex, but as one carried on an island in the sea. Even rainwater from the roofs is drained by tile gutters into a well. The monastery has been turned into a museum and a hotel complex with rooms to accommodate the tourists, which have been designed in the spirit of the place and are made of authentic materials - wood and stone.The church of the island is the oldest building. It is dated back to the period between the 12th and the14th century. It is famous for its unique wooden carvings. Some of the frescoes - also from the 14th century - have been restored too.Another interesting touch of the new tourist destination is the "Lekarna" (“Healing Place”) a small garden on the roof and, if you wish, you can select and pick the herbs yourself, from which your tea to be prepared afterwards. The Monastery Lekarna offers special liqueurs typical only for this region; mixtures of wild fruits and honey by a Monastery’s recipe. These spices are also used in one of the recipes of the restaurant on the island. And, as the largest natural mussel plantation is around the St. Anastasia Island.