Varna has many names: "pearl of the coast", "queen of the Black Sea", "summer capital of Bulgaria" - as soon as they do not call this resort town! Thanks to its long and rich history, Varna attracts tourists not only with its beaches, but also with interesting architecture and priceless cultural heritage.
The city was in turn owned by the Romans, Byzantines and Turks, which undoubtedly affected its appearance. Roman baths of the 2nd century are here side by side with the mansions of the 19th century, creating a rather unusual contrast.
Varna is also an important cultural center in Bulgaria. One of the central events is the Varna Summer festival, which annually attracts thousands of participants and spectators from all over the world.
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What to see and where to go in Varna?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
"Driven stones"
Natural stone columns located 18 km from Varna. They are believed to have originated from the weathering of rocks or from hardened coral. For 200 years of research, scientists have not come to a consensus about the veracity of one of the versions. To preserve the unique sight, the area with stones was declared a natural monument.
Evksinograd
The summer residence of the royal family on the Black Sea coast, which today is used for government receptions. The palace was built at the end of the 19th century by order of Prince A. Battenberg. The residence of the House of Orleans in one of the suburbs of Paris, destroyed during the Franco-Prussian War, was taken as a model. In the construction of Euxinograd, the surviving fragments of the Parisian palace were used.
Seaside park
The project of the park was created by the Czech master A. Novak in the 19th century. This picturesque garden on the seashore has long become a favorite place for walks and measured relaxation. The park alleys stretch along the coast, along which there are flower beds, fountains and sculptures. There is a terrarium, a zoo, a dolphinarium, a sports complex, a planetarium and several museums. The park even has its own beach.
Roman Baths
The ancient baths were built in the 2nd century and were used until the end of the 3rd century. An imposing bath complex the size of a football field is located in the center of Varna among residential buildings. It is believed that these were the largest baths in the Balkan Peninsula and the fourth largest in the entire Roman Empire. Today, even by the preserved ruins, one can judge the scale of this ancient structure.
Assumption Cathedral
Cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which is located in the center of Varna. It was inaugurated in 1886 in honor of the liberation of the city from the rule of the Ottoman Empire with the active participation of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, whose wife was an aunt to Prince Battenberg. In the architecture of the cathedral, you can see features of the Byzantine style, elements of Russian temple construction and even some Gothic touches.
Armenian Church of Saint Sarkis
An Armenian Orthodox church, which was erected in the middle of the 19th century on the site of a burned-down church in honor of St. Sarkis, an associate who lived during the time of Emperor Constantine and was famous for converting pagans to the Christian faith. The main facade of the building is made of red brick, the side walls are covered with white plaster. Inside the temple is painted in the Byzantine style.
Aladzha monastery
A rock-cut Orthodox monastery of the 12th century, currently in ruins. It is known that from the 4th century Christian hermits lived in the catacombs. The monastery existed until the end of the XIV century, until it was destroyed by the Ottomans, but the monks continued to inhabit the caves for another four hundred years. Previously, almost all the grottoes were decorated with frescoes, but today they remain only in the monastery chapel.
Varna Opera House
The theater stage is housed in a picturesque Empire style mansion, considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. In terms of popularity, the Varna Opera is second only to the Sofia Opera. The troupe was formed in 1947 and immediately began to work on the production of works by classical and contemporary authors. Later, operettas were added to the repertoire, which made it possible to attract more spectators.
Archaeological Museum
The collection of the museum is considered one of the largest in Bulgaria, as it contains more than 50 thousand copies. A scientific library, an exhibition hall, an archive and classrooms are located on an area of 2 thousand square meters. Part of the exposition is exhibited in the courtyard. Among the unique exhibits is a collection of gold items, which was discovered in the Varna necropolis. Experts believe that its age is more than 6 thousand years.
Ethnographical museum
The museum opened in 1974 in a 19th century mansion. His collection is dedicated to the culture and life of the people inhabiting the Varna region. The exposition, located on two floors, covers the time period from the second half of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. In the museum you can learn about the traditional crafts of the region: fishing, beekeeping and viticulture, as well as look at tools and household items.
Retro Museum
The collection was created on the initiative of businessman Ts. Atanasov, who was engaged in collecting vintage cars and various items that were used by residents of the Warsaw Pact countries. Over time, the exposition grew to such a size that it had to rent a separate room. The main "pearl" of the collection is the seagull car, which belonged to Todor Zhivkov.
Varna History Museum
The museum building is located in the center of Varna, not far from the Roman baths. Here visitors can learn about the history of the city from 1878 to 1939. Most of the collection is a reconstruction of city cafes, shops and offices. The rest of the halls showcase weapons from the First and Second World War, as well as the Balkan Wars, clothing, photographs and interior items.
National Maritime Museum
The collection appeared in 1923 thanks to a group of enthusiasts. It consists of naval uniforms, ship models, insignia and naval weapons. The exhibits are located in 12 rooms. First of all, the exposition will be of interest to lovers of naval military themes and people who are simply interested in ships. The museum has a library with a rich book fund.
Park-Museum "Vladislav Varnenchik"
The memorial complex, erected in honor of the national hero Vladislav Varnenchik (Vladislav III Jagiello), the Polish-Hungarian king who died in the battle of 1444, when a united army of Bulgarians, Czechs, Hungarians, Bosnians, Croats, Poles and Romanians tried to stop the invasion of the Turks. Ottomans to Europe. The museum was established in 1924. On the territory of the complex there is a mausoleum of Yagailo, but the body of the king himself is not there.
Dolphinarium
Varna, like almost any resort town on the seashore, has its own dolphinarium. All six days a week, when performances are held here, the stands are filled to capacity, as funny marine mammals leave no one indifferent. Animals dance during the show and "sing" Bulgarian songs, which delights the audience.
Varna Aquarium
The aquarium is located in the building of the Institute of Aquaculture and Fisheries, which was erected in 1912. Marine inhabitants live in spacious reservoirs, where optimal living conditions are created. Part of the exposition demonstrates the underwater fauna of the Black Sea, the other part is devoted to the World Ocean.In addition to fish, you can also see algae, molluscs, octopuses and jellyfish.
Varna Zoo
The Varna Zoo is not very large - its territory can be easily walked around in 30 minutes. The animals are kept here in enclosures behind bars, so you can only observe them from afar. The history of the zoo began in 1956, when the crew of a warship brought a bear from another voyage. The animal was given the nickname Maxim and settled in the Primorsky Park. Other inhabitants soon joined him.
University Botanical Garden "Ecopark"
The garden opened to visitors in 2002. Previously, a university plant nursery was located on its territory. In "Ecopark" exotic plants and native species grow side by side. Here you can see sea pine, ginkgo, iron, paper and tulip trees and other interesting specimens. The park has a gorgeous rose garden, where more than 30 species of this flower are planted.
Varna lake
A long estuary on the coast near Varna, which is connected to Lake Beloslavskoye and Varna Bay by means of navigable canals. The reservoir has an area of 17 km² and a relatively shallow depth of only 19 meters. Its bottom is covered with a layer of silt and hydrogen sulfide mud, which has medicinal properties. The famous Varna necropolis is located near the lake.
Cape Kaliakra
The cape is located about 60 km from Varna on the Dobrudzha plateau. It is included in the list of the 100 most picturesque sights in Bulgaria. There is a nature reserve on its territory. The steep cliffs of the cape rise 70 meters above the sea, protecting the bay from cold winds. A legend is associated with this place about 40 girls who rushed into the Black Sea in order not to be captured by the Ottoman Turks.
