Rezovo

Rezovo (Bulgarian: Резово) is a village and seaside resort in southeastern Bulgaria. The village is in Strandzha Nature Park. Lying at the mouth of the Rezovo River in the Black Sea, Rezovo is the southernmost point of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and the southeasternmost inhabited place in Bulgaria and the European Union mainland. The Rezovo River constitutes the border between Bulgaria and the European part of Turkey, Rezovo directly overlooks the Turkish bank of the river and the Turkish village of Beğendik.

It was the villages border location that was of interest to me. There are Bulgarian signs relating to EU membership, the monument marking the southeasternmost point of the continental EU as well as the large flags that stand on opposite sides of the Revezo river. The Turkish village of Beğendik is just visible behind the military base. Whereas on the Bulgarian side the beaches were full of holiday makers , contrastingly the Turkish side was empty and likely to be a military zone.

There are plans from 2018 supported by the respective mayors for a pedestrian bridge to facilitate the local economies and tourism. There was no evidence of any progress in August of 2022.

The Bulgarian Side

As the town is in the border zone there is an border guard base and checkpoints on the road leading to and from the town. But for the most part it is a relaxed seaside town., with nice beaches and restaurants. It would be quite easy to swim across to Turkey although at risk of fines or imprisonment if you do, according to a Bulgarian guy I spoke to.

The atmosphere was relaxed and although the watchtowers hark back to a previous time, and were unoccupied whilst I was there, it all added to an interesting border orientated visit.

The flags

Impossible to ignore are the 2 large flags from Bulgaria and Turkey respectively that face each other across the mouth of the Rezovo river.

Note the EU monument in the foreground. The Turkish shore is in the background

Southeasternmost point of the EU

A suitably impressive monument marks the point. With the non EU country of Turkey only a few metres away.

The river

A must whilst in Rezovo is to walk along the river bank, Turkey is the opposite bank and is devoid on any activity, whereas the Bulgarian bank is busy with leisure boats and local fisherman.

Bulgarian scales (for fish?), Turkey in the background.

The mouth of the river as it enters the Black Sea.

Towards the mouth of the river, BG on the left, TR on the right.

The Turkish side

From the viewpoints it was easy to see the Turkish shoreline, the military base at Beğendik, and the flag monument. It’s a shame there is no crossing point here.