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The Ancient Town of Sozopol
Sozopol has a long and intriguing history. It was founded
in 6th century B C as a Greek colony under the name
Apolonia (after the name of the Greek god Apollo). Most
of its inhabitants originally came from the ancient
city of Milet. Shortly after, due to its strategic position,
Apolonia became a major commercial point. 5th century
BC was the period of the biggest efflorescence of the
town: famous architects designed and constructed fascinating
buildings (the beautiful stone temple of Apollo was
built then), the local commercials thrived in prosperity,
the town started minting its own silver coins, etc.
Archeologists have found ceramics, pottery, vases made
of glass, golden and silver ornaments and decorations
dating from that period. As a result of this flourishing
the town founded its own colony-Anchialo, "town of the
salt- cellars" (nowadays the town of Pomorie). After
the Peloponeasian wars (431-404 BC)  Apolonia
lost the support of its main protector- Athens and its
integrity was seriously threatened by the Thracians.
Luckily, both the famous ruler Philip of Macedonia and
the heir to the throne (his son Alexander the Great)
took the town under the protection of the Macedonian
State. After the disintegration of Macedonia the town
went through a difficult period. In 72 BC it was attacked,
plundered and completely destroyed by legions of the
Roman Empire. The famous statue of Apollo was taken
to Rome and became a part of the decoration of the hill
of Capitolia. The walls surrounding the town were razed
to the ground as a consequence of the numerous attacks.
The ethnic composition of the population changed as
well with the migration of the Barbarian tribes. In
31 AD Apolonia lost its independence and autonomy after
the establishment of a Roman protectorate in Thrace.
It was not until 431 AD that the town regained part
of its previous glory. This time it was mentioned in
the ancient chronicles as Sozopolis- "the town of the
savior". What lead to the transformation of its name
is not clear. It seems that Christianity, which was
widespread in this region, was one of the main reasons.
A lot of ancient Greek towns, named after Apollo, were
renamed "Sozopolis" after the adoption of Christianity.
Another theory claims that the town's port, known as
a safe place for ships, played a crucial role in this
process. During the Middle Ages Sozopol transformed
again into a strategic commercial point. After the establishment
of the Bulgarian state in 681 AD, it became a part of
it in 812 AD.  In
1453, just before the fall of Constantinople, Sozopol
was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.Years of decay followed-
the previous glory of the town faded completely, a lot
of monasteries, churches and archeological masterpieces
were destroyed. Known in the past for its culture and
wealth, now Sozopol became a little isolated fishermen
town. Everything changed again during the years following
the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878.
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