site.btaGovernment Returns Management of Sts Cyricus and Julitta Island to Transport Ministry for Tourism Infrastructure Development

Sts Cyricus and Julitta Island near Sozopol (on the Black Sea) will again be managed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to develop the tourism infrastructure and ease the traffic in the town's fishing port, outgoing Tourism Minister Grozdan Karadjov told a briefing here on Wednesday. The decision on the management transfer was taken by the Council of Ministers. 

He recalled that the issue of the island's future was raised on July 26, 2025 during a meeting of the parliamentary Tourism Committee in Sozopol, when representatives of the local community and MPs insisted on a long-term solution for the maintenance and development of the island.

According to Karadjov, Sts Cyricus and Julitta is the only island on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast connected to the mainland by a breakwater, and for more than 15 years it has been in poor condition and without the necessary care, despite its significant natural and cultural value.

Currently, there are eight tourist ships registered in Sozopol for seasonal passenger transport with a capacity of over 35 people, as well as a passenger catamaran on the Sozopol-Nessebar line with 100 seats. Despite the intense traffic, the town does not have a specialized terminal for servicing tourist ships, with all vessels using the fishing port with a quay only 80 metres long. "This creates difficulties both for the normal docking of ships and for the safety of passengers, as tourist and fishing activities are mixed," Karadjov said.

With a depth of between 3.5 and 5 metres and a quay wall of over 300 metres, the island will be able to accommodate tourist ships and yachts operating in the area. The property will be managed by the State-owned Port Infrastructure company, which will modernize the quay wall, renovate the infrastructure, build a terminal for passengers and tourist ships, as well as facilities for power supply, water supply, and waste management. There are also plans to build a yacht marina and a coastal area suitable for tourist and recreational activities. In this way, the island will take over all tourist shipping and free the fishing port from activities that are not appropriate for it.

The Ministry of Culture will retain full access to the island and the opportunity to develop and preserve the archaeological zone. The activities of the Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Sozopol - a UNESCO Underwater Heritage Institute - will also be supported, Karadjov underscored.

The transfer of the property is expected to take place within a month, after which a detailed development plan will be drawn up. A public tender for the implementation of the project is expected to be announced by the start of the summer season. The building on the island and about half of its interior territory will remain under the Ministry of Culture's management. The building will be converted into a museum of underwater archaeological heritage, Karadjov added.