lovinbulgaria

#strandzha

A scenic hiking trail through dense green forest in Strandzha mountains, with dappled sunlight
Travel

Strandzha: Bulgaria's Wild and Mysterious Mountain Range

Explore the untamed landscapes, ancient forests and slow-paced villages of Strandzha, a Balkan paradise that feels far from the modern world.
Barefoot dancer on glowing embers during a nestinarstvo ritual at night
Culture

Nestinarstvo: Bulgaria's Ancient Fire Dance on Glowing Embers

Discover the mystical ritual of nestinarstvo, where dancers walk barefoot across burning coals to the beat of drums, carrying icons and entering a trance. This ancient tradition from the Strandzha mountains blends pagan and Christian beliefs.
Barefoot dancers on glowing embers during a nestinarstvo ritual in Bulgaria
Travel

Nestinarstvo: Bulgaria's Ancient Fire-Walking Ritual

Discover nestinarstvo, the mesmerising Bulgarian tradition of dancing barefoot on glowing embers. Here's what it involves and where travellers can witness this UNESCO-listed ritual.
Glowing embers in a fire pit at dusk in a village setting
Culture

Nestinarstvo: the fire-dancing tradition of Bulgaria's Strandzha villages

In a few villages in the Strandzha mountains, an old ritual of dancing on embers is tied to Saints Constantine and Helena. Here is what it is and why it matters.