VARNA
Varna is Bulgaria's third largest city. It was an inhabited place even before the Greeks established the colony of Odessos there about 580 B.C. Later, under the Romans and their successors, the Slavs, Varna became a major port trading with Constantinople, Venice and Dubrovnik. In 1393 it was captured by the Turks, who made it an important military centre. Nowadays it is the main port for both naval and commercial shipping and, adjacent as it is to the coastal resorts of Golden Sands, St. Constantine (Drouzhba) and Albena, it has a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Top attractions:
- The Roman Baths
- The Cathedral Holly Virgin, considered to be the emblem of the seaside capital of Bulgaria
- The Sea Garden Park
- St. Nikola Church
- Archaeological Museum, the official home of the oldest man-made golden treasure that dates back from 4th millennium BC.
- The Clock Tower
- Asparuh`s Bridge, the longest bridge in Bulgaria
- The Dolphinarium
Top attractions close to Varna:
Balchik
The town is situated on the coast itself. There is a big harbor used for medium-size passenger and trade vessels. After the Balkan War in 1913 it was included in the territories of Romania. Struck by the natural beauty of the place Queen Maria built a Palace and botanical garden, a chapel and a villa complex for the Romanian aristocrats. The town turned into a luxurious resort at that time. After 1940 Balchik was again included in Bulgarian territory.
Kaliakra Cape
Kaliakra Cape is famous not only for its wild nature, amazing flora and fauna but also for its role in the history. Probably the most popular legend about the place is the one about 40 Bulgarian girls, who preferred to tie their hair together and jump into the Black Sea instead of the prospect to be captured by the Ottomans. An obelisk dedicated to this legend is placed at the entrance to the cape, called The Gate of the 40 Maidens. Kaliakra is a nature reserve, where dolphins, cormorants and pinnipeds can be observed. It also features the remnants of the fortified walls, water-main, baths and residence of Despot Dobrotitsa in the short-lived Principality of Karvuna's medieval capital. The Bolata Cove with a small sheltered beach lies just north at the mouth of a picturesque canyon, also part of the nature reserve.
Aladzha Monastery
The experience of visiting a monastery dug high above the ground into a steep rock is unforgettable. The monk’s cells, common rooms and sanctuaries, dug directly into the limestone rock and situated on two levels high above the ground, were connected via an external staircase. The lower floor hosted the monks’ private cells, common rooms (i.e. kitchen, dining room) and a small church, while the upper level was dedicated entirely to a chapel. According to some historians, primitive monks’ cells were built and inhabited already in the 4th century AC. The entire monastery is considered to date back to the 12th century AC. Nowadays few of the frescoes are preserved (most of these to be found in the chapel).
Pliska
The town was the first capital of Danubian Bulgaria. Two km away from the present day town are the remains of the imposing construction of Pliska. The town consisted of 3 concentric fortifications - Exterior city, Interior Fortress, Interior city. It is in Pliska that one can trace back the development of Bulgarian Architecture from the ancient Bulgaria epoch to the period of adoption of European features.
Interesting Events:
- International Theatre Fest in Varna, May - June
- International Film Festival Love is Folly in Varna, September
- International Folklore Festival in Varna, August