2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure

The overall objective of the project is increasing tourism attractiveness of the Cross border area through reconstruction and socialization of two very important archaeological tourism areas: the Rusokastro Fortress area in Kameno/ Bourgas and Asagipinar open air museum demonstrating prehistorically period and rich historical past of these lands.
The small scale construction of complex tourist zone for recreation and sport next to the Fortress Rusokastro including building a thematic space with an open-air classroom, a training board, amphitheatrically placing seating benches for the visitors, a thematic outdoor playground, an archery site, a rock climbing wall, benches, waste containers, information will be installed backgammon. One of the great attractions for children and adults will be the set up a new attraction - a Mini Model of the Rusokastro Fortress the smaller model of the fortress in its heyday.
Parallel activity from the Turkish project partners will be investment works in Asagipinar open air museum including construction of the Time Tunnel, which demonstrates prehistorically period in the Strandzha Mountain.
Another important objective of the project is the promotion of the two important sites by organizing three events promoting cultural and historical tourism in the cross-border area. Representatives of 20 cultural heritage sites will be invited in the jointly events "Our Living Ancient Towns" to participate with advertising materials and the web portal "Our Living Ancient Cities". There are also envisaged tours for tour operators on both sides, as well as visits of children to the historic sites.
As a result of the implementation of the project, successful reconstruction and socialization activities in Ruskoastro and Asagipinar ancient archaeological areas and developed new attractive tourism services for the visitors and tourist in Cross border area will be carried out and new attractive tourist services for visitors and tourists in the cross-border region will be developed.

Project status: Completed

The project ‘Living Ancient Towns – Asagipinar and Rusokastro’ aimed to increase the touristic potential of Kirkalreli and Bourgas districts by including two important historical and archaeological places in the tourist destinations in the cross-border area.

Important infrastructural works were done by the project in Asagipinar and Rusokastro archaeological areas. The infrastructural works were for increasing attractiveness of these two places and ensuring tourism services as playground place, rest place, walking areas and new exhibition areas.

Through the project, the online promotion of the sites was made and there was given a chance to the local tour operators to promote their tour offers online and free of charge.

Also, the made landscaping and upper-structural improvements were presented to the local tour operators through the organization of joint trial tours for representatives of the tourism sector in Kirklareli and Bourgas.

In the frame of the project in Open Air Museum and the archaeological site of Asağipinar were made the following improvements:

• to the ensuring of the security of the area the surrounding wall was constructed with three service gates;
• landscaping works were done and was constructed a solid way/path between the different parts of the area;
• the Time tunnel exhibition building was covered;
• infrastructural electricity works were done;
• the fire safety system constructed.

The "Rocky Field" and "Wet Area" units present the prehistorically periods that were built including animal and human models.

In the frame of the project in Rusokastro Fortress archaeological area were made the following improvements of the complex tourist zone:

• set up a new attraction - a Mini Model of the Rusokastro Fortress;
• building a thematic space with an open-air classroom, a training board, amphitheatrically placing seating benches for the trainees;
• construction of a thematic outdoor playground;
• construction of an archery site;
• construction of a boulder and rock climbing site;
• construction of recreation areas - 2 kiosks, 2 arbours, delivery and installation of sets for tables with benches for recreation;
• construction of a separate waste collection site with 4 pcs of "Bieber" buckets;
• supply and installation of park furniture - benches, waste bins, information boards;
• delivery and planting of a long-lasting decorative tree and shrub vegetation and grassing;
• supply of a guard kiosk;
• delivery and installation of a fence around the site;
• delivery and installation of 2 containers for storage of sports equipment.

Also, promotional materials were prepared in three languages and spread in the region.

The overall goal of the project is to promote the sustainable development of tourism in the cross-border region by improving and modernizing the infrastructure related to the cultural and historical heritage of Mineralni Bani and Hamdibey municipalities and strengthening the capacity for cross-border cooperation by providing conditions for accelerated tourism development. promoting the rich natural, historical and cultural potential of the region.
The implementation of the project includes construction, rehabilitation and attractive exposure of the fortress Toplikos / Mineral Baths / and the village of Hamdibey, providing an accessible architectural environment for people with disabilities.
The project will organize a seminar to promote tourism in the cross-border area in order to promote networking for the development of sustainable tourism by reviewing the existing model of tourism management and recommending changes that will make the target region a competitive and attractive tourist destination. . A tourist guide and information materials will be developed, aimed at wide popularization and advertising of the local natural, cultural and historical resources and creation of an integrated high-quality tourist product.
As a result of the project it is expected to promote the development of tourism and improve the tourist attractiveness of the villages Mineralni Bani and Hamdibei through optimal use of natural, cultural and historical resources in the region and related infrastructure, as well as organizing subsequent joint cross-border incentives. the development of other forms of tourism, thus ensuring the economic prosperity of the border area.

Project status: Finished

The Project served as a bridge between the communities situated on both sides of the cross- border region, establishing a linkage of cultural, historical and economic interest. Demonstrating trust and solid partnership and collaboration, the project partners achieved the set project goals and objectives- to encourage and promote the historical, cultural, touristic and economic potential of Mineralni Bani and Kirklareli regions and the creation of integrated high-quality tourism product, thus achieving sustainable development of tourism and strengthening the capacity for cross- border cooperation.

Furthermore, the project introduced a useful model for infrastructural and innovative tourist product development of the region and serves as a good example and base for developing new tourism products and establishment of tourism and history exchange networks.