The Island-peace of cultur'action
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
In the waters of the bay of Burgas is located the only inhabited island on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast – Saint Anastasia. Shrouded in mists and legends, with incredible rock formations, and the only insular cloister in Bulgaria dates to the 15 century turned into a prison and recently restored to become part of the most popular tourist destination in Burgas region. Favourite place for creative bohemians and a place with a rich cultural life.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Other Funds
Operational programme Regional development 2007-2013. The project was implemented in 2014
Description of the project
Summary
The project is an example of valorization of the cultural - historical and natural values of the city of Burgas and the island «St. Anastasia », based on innovative and non-traditional approaches directed toward the development of anthropogenic resources, modernization of infrastructure, effective marketing and advertising of the tourist product; It is an example of how from an inaccessible piece of land, the island becomes a year-round tourist attraction with restored cultural and historical heritage buildings, used innovative methods of exposure, created areas for recreation and entertainment, built accessible environment and all this in strict compliance with the requirements for environmental protection, Improved quality of key tourist sites and the related infrastructure turned the city into an attractive tourist area of national importance with an integrated and competitive tourist product based on the sustainable development of recreational, sea, cultural, cognitive, religious, eco, historical and natural tourism. The island is now a place where most of the events included in the cultural calendar of the city take place, a favorite place of locals, artists, tourists and guests of the city. The intervention on the sites included in the project proposal led directly to an increase in the tourist flow in the region, attracted investors in the field of tourism and the accompanying service sectors. The offered new tourist product supports the development of the local economy, has a positive impact on employment, living standards and incomes of the population. As a result of the project, the competitiveness of the region of Burgas has increased.
Key objectives for sustainability
The specific objectives of the project proposal are: (1) Establishment of the city of Burgas and the island "St. Anastasia ”as an attractive and competitive tourist destination of regional and national importance; - Winner of a special award at the national building of the year competition,2015, Finalist in the biggest campaign for preservation and promotion of the cultural and historical heritage in our country "Wonders of Bulgaria"2021
(2) Diversification of the offered tourist products and services and encouragement of the development of specific types of "alternative" tourism; - achieved by improved business environment and proposed investment solutions that promote tourism and business development through the construction of tourist attractions and related tourist infrastructure, promotion and modernization of tourist sites ,improvement of marketing of tourist destinations, increased market information within the tourism industry and policy, as well as strengthening partnerships between the various actors; developed marketing strategy for promotion of the tourist product and destination.
(3) Preservation and sustainable management of the cultural-historical and natural heritage of Burgas and the island “St. Anastasia –achieved by restoration, conservation, adaptation and socialization of the buildings on the island "St. Anastasia". Landscaping and reconstruction of the pier and exposure of natural rock phenomena.
The municipality has made a long-term commitment to manage the developed tourist route, including ensuring its financial and institutional sustainability. All operating costs and costs for maintenance of equipment and facilities under the project are met by the expected revenues. The ownership of the results of the project belong to the municipality, which has the task to multiply these results and to use the acquired material and intellectual assets in the public interest, performing its functions as a major engine of local economy
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The island can be reached by small passenger boat. The island has its own charm and ancient radiance - from the era of ancient Greek colonization and Roman times. The only Bulgarian island with a church part of a medieval monastery burned and rebuilt several times. Guardian of the Island Anastasia in Greek Pharmacolithria is a saint and healer. The monastery pharmacy offers products from herbs, tinctures, natural juices or dried mix of wild fruits and honey according to old monastery recipes. The island offers relaxation, contemplation, timelessness, purification of the senses. It has a small hotel part with the opportunity to meet an unforgettable sunrise. The feeling of a sudden break with everyday life is guaranteed if you stop at the restaurant "100 years ago", which offers seafood according to old Burgas recipes. St. Anastasia Island is one of the largest natural mussel plantations in the Black Sea -staple food for the inhabitants and guests of the Island over the years. Citizens and guests of the city can enjoy a rich cultural program among the cool sea breeze on a specially built outdoor stage. St. Anastasia Island convincingly won the ranking for the most attractive tourist site and two music, national radio stations. In 2014 is awarded for an innovative approach in interpreting the originality and high cultural and historical value of the Medieval monastery complex at the prestigious National contest Building of the year. It has become a favorite place for weddings and a set for Bulgarian and international cinema. The number of visits grows with each passing year. In this sense, the project not only achieved but also exceeded the expected results and goals.
Key objectives for inclusion
The project contributes to the achievement of equal opportunities and social inclusion policies. The interventions of the sites included in the project are accessible to all social groups. The prepared work projects are fully compliant with the regulatory requirements for accessibility of the environment for people with various disabilities. The construction and installation activities included installation of platforms, delivery and installation of elevators for people with various disabilities. The project observed the principles of equal opportunities for people with disabilities, representatives of ethnic minorities, and these principles were observed when hiring labor to implement the activities under and after the official end of the project. Additionally, the project strengthened social and economic development in the region through cultural cooperation, cultural entrepreneurship and cultural heritage management. The offered tourist product is the main attraction for tourists and guests of the city, using the opportunities of the holiday sea tourism. The growing trends in the development of balneological and conference tourism, give reason to offer the product as a complementary service and attraction. This project offer a unique tourist product on the local and regional market, which is of interest to tourists and guests of other Black Sea villages and complexes. St. Anastasia Island and the associated tourist infrastructure and sites are a potential opportunity to diversify the services offered by tour operators. The island of "St. Anastasia »is a site of exceptional cultural, historical and natural value. The restoration of the monuments located on the island, the provision of unimpeded access to them and the revival of the museum exposition will contribute to satisfying the scientific interests of experts and researchers. The adaptation of the island for holding various outdoor events -the island of great interest to representatives of cultural sector.
Results in relation to category
St. Anastasia Island is one of the largest natural mussel plantations in the Black Sea and is a unique natural phenomenon. The project activities were focused on preserving not only the cultural and historical, but also the natural resources. The island falls into a protected area BG0002077 for the conservation of wild birds. When carried out the planned intervention activities on the island, full restrictions resulting from the status of a protected area on the island have been taken into account and respected. As the site is an immovable cultural property within the meaning of the Cultural Heritage, the technical project has been agreed with the National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage and has been issued a Permit from the Ministry of Culture for intervention on cultural and historical values under the project; interventions on buildings also include the implementation of energy efficiency measures, which further have a positive impact on the environment by reducing energy consumption and helping to reduce harmful emissions. The construction works were based on high quality natural materials that are in sync with the environment. A system for separate waste collection is implemented on the island and much more it has been declared a zone without plastic as no plastic products are offered there. The new tourist product supports the development of the local economy, has a positive impact on employment, living standards and incomes. As a result of the project, the competitiveness of the Burgas region increased. The island has a rich cultural program with concerts of modern pop artists, jazz, Latin and Cuban outdoor music. It is a favorite place for weddings. A museum has been created in the building of the former monastery, a combination of traditional exhibits and interactive visualization methods recreating the history of the island.
How Citizens benefit
With the implementation of the project the image of the city of Burgas was established as a competitive tourist destination of regional and national importance; The socio-economic effects of the project implementation are related to its social significance in relation to the needs of the different target groups and economic effects related to the local and regional tourist market: - improving the quality and diversification of the offered tourist products and services; - contribution to the establishment and promotion of local cultural identity; - preservation and socialization of the cultural and historical heritage; - creation of new jobs, expressed in temporary and permanent employment; An accessible tourist infrastructure has been created for the needs of people with special needs, including appropriate architectural and social conditions. The citizens involvement can be considered in several aspects. In the process of preparation of the project proposal, meetings and public discussions were held, which were attended by all stakeholders. The created partnership model was used in the preparation of other project proposals. The results achieved under the project were used to promote the local initiative in terms of tourism supply, which in turn will require the development of a larger strategy for tourism development in the region. The implementation of the project created an integrated tourist product, interpreting in an appropriate and attractive way the cultural identity of Burgas and at the same time satisfying the interest of tourists to modern and innovative tourist attractions. Regular visitors to the island during the summer season are many tourists, nature lovers, fishermen, locals population - approximately 40,000 visitors - per year. The connection of the island with objects from the urban environment (central pedestrian zone, Sea Park) allows its interpretation as part of the popular routes and public spaces of the modern city.
Innovative character
The approach used in the development of the integrated tourist product is innovative, as the originality and the high cultural and historical value of St. Anastasia is interpreted in the context of the modern and dynamic urban environment. The project can be defined as innovative, as at the implementation stage innovative technologies were applied to expose the cultural and historical heritage. Purchased and installed were four interactive devices for presentation and virtual visualization of the cultural and historical heritage. The technology allows the development of various interactive packages - virtual walks and interpretation of cultural and historical heritage, designed for different social and age groups. Also within the project were purchased equipment for modern audio guide tourist and touring systems designed to serve group and individual tourists, which allow interpretation and audio presentation of a large amount of information in different languages, designed for different target groups.
