About Aytos
Key facts about Aytos.
The town beneath the eagle's fortress
Aytos is a town in the interior of Burgas Province, about 30 km west of Burgas, at the foot of the Aytos heights — the eastern edge of the Balkan Mountains. Its name comes from the mediaeval fortress of Aetos (Greek for 'eagle') that once stood on the hill above the town. Today Aytos is a municipal centre of around 18,000 people — a calm, green alternative to the busy seaside.
A brief history
The area around Aytos has been inhabited since deep antiquity — Thracian settlements and burial mounds have been found nearby. Its strategic position on the pass between the coastal plain and the interior made it a crossroads as early as antiquity.
In the Middle Ages the hill above the town was guarded by the fortress of Aetos, which controlled the Aytos pass. The town takes its name from it. Through the centuries of Ottoman rule, Aytos grew as a market and crafts centre on the road between Burgas and the interior of the country.
After the Liberation (1878), Aytos remained an important agricultural and trading centre in the area. Today the town is known for its vineyards and farming, its large market and the green Slaveeva Reka forest park.
What to see
Within a short distance of the centre you'll find nature, history and authentic town life:
- The Aetos fortress — the mediaeval ruins on the hill above the town that gave Aytos its name.
- The Slaveeva Reka park — a large forest park with alleys, picnic spots and fountains south-west of the town.
- The Aytos zoo — one of the few zoos in the region, set within the park.
- The history museum — archaeology and ethnography of Aytos and its surroundings.
- The town market — one of the largest and busiest markets in Burgas Province.
- The old centre — the church and the Revival-era houses in the heart of the town.
Aytos today
Aytos is a quiet municipal town with an agricultural and light-industrial character. In the warm months the Slaveeva Reka park and the zoo are a favourite destination for family outings, while the market draws visitors from the whole area.
For the residents and guests of Burgas, Aytos is a convenient day trip inland — half an hour away by bus, train or car. Greenery, history and calm a step away from the sea.