SAINT-IVAN ISLAND (ОСТРОВ СВЕТИ ИВАН)

Off the coast of Sozopol, an archaeological and natural reserve rich in birdlife, it is the largest Bulgarian island on the Black Sea. A monastery was built there at the beginning of the Middle Ages, declared royal in 1308. Ruined, it was rebuilt twice before falling into disuse. In 2010 a casket with bones was discovered there, which were declared to be those of St. John the Baptist. The Orthodox Church took possession of them and exhibited them in the Kiril i Metodi church, at the entrance to the old town.