- Varna museums
- Natural attractions
- Historical landmarks
- Where else to go in Varna
Varna is considered not only the largest Bulgarian resort, but also a city that combines the features of Turkish, Byzantine and Roman cultures. This fact was reflected in the appearance of the city, as well as the cultural heritage of the past. If you know where to go in Varna, then make your own tourist route without any problems.
Varna museums
The city is famous for its various museums, presenting thematic collections for every taste. All Varna museums are under state control, which contributes to their active prosperity. Some of the most popular museums worth visiting are:
- The Archaeological Museum is the main repository of artifacts in Bulgaria. The building of the museum itself is a separate attraction, the internal area of which is 2,400 square meters. They house several spacious rooms containing chronological collections of different eras. The expositions are presented with detailed descriptions in Bulgarian and English. The pride of the museum is a collection of ceramics, precious metals, sculptures and other items dating back to the sixth millennium AD.
- The Ethnographic Museum officially opened its doors to visitors in 1974. The museum was created in an old mansion built in the 19th century. The main composition is dedicated to the life and customs of people who inhabited Varna in the period from the second half of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. On the ground floor there is an exposition introducing the traditional crafts of the region: winemaking, beekeeping, fishing, gathering. The second floor is occupied by a collection of tools that were used in ancient times for different types of crafts. On request, the museum staff conduct master classes and training seminars for professionals.
- The Retro Museum is interesting because it contains an entertaining collection of antique cars and other items. All exhibits once belonged to ordinary citizens of the Warsaw Pact countries. The museum was created by the entrepreneur-philanthropist Ts. Atanasov, who agreed with the local authorities that a separate building would be allocated for the museum. The visiting card of the collection is the Seagull car, which was owned by Todor Zhivkov.
- The Maritime Museum is ideal for those who love maritime themes. It was founded in 1923 thanks to the efforts of enthusiastic sailors. As a result, over several years, the museum has collected a rare collection of models of sea vessels for various purposes, tools used on ships, dishes and interior items for cabins. The collection of photographs and awards of the navy should be noted separately.
Natural attractions
Varna and its surroundings are rich in natural sites that are popular among tourists at any time of the year. However, it is better to go there in spring or summer, as you will have a great opportunity to enjoy the surrounding landscapes. Be sure to include in your travel program:
- Botanical Park, which was opened in 2002. Previously, there was a nursery on the site of the attraction, where rare plant species were grown. In 2004, the park was renamed "Ecopark", after which it was opened for public visits. The excursion includes a horse-drawn carriage ride, inspection of greenhouses and acquaintance with exotic plants. Ginkgo, sea pine, tulip and paper trees can all be seen in the park. In addition, every weekend in the park, there is a costume show that showcases the customs of the local people.
- Cape Kaliakra is another sight of Varna, worthy of attention. The cape is located 57 kilometers from the city on the Dobrudzha plateau and is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful natural sites in the country. Kaliakra rises 67 meters above the sea, which creates a natural protection of the bay from sea winds. According to legend, more than a hundred years ago, 30 young girls were thrown from the cape, who, instead of Turkish captivity, would rather die. Since then, locals sometimes hear the voices of girls calling for help.
- The Stone Forest is an unusual landmark created through the long-term interaction of wind and coral rocks. This version is the most plausible and discussed by many researchers in the field of archeology. However, the final reason for the emergence of such an amazing natural phenomenon has not been clarified. Outwardly, the stone forest looks like a wide plateau, on which stone statues are located in a chaotic manner. Each of them has an original shape.
- Varna Lake, stretching along one of the coasts of Varna, connected with Varna Bay and Lake Beloslavskoe by navigable routes. The water area is 18 square kilometers and is only 18 meters deep. The bottom of the reservoir is formed by hydrogen sulfide mud mixed with a layer of silt. This composition allows the use of mud from the bottom of the lake for medicinal purposes. The healing properties of mud are known not only in Bulgaria, but also abroad. For tourists wishing to visit the lake, boat trips and catamarans are organized.
Historical landmarks
Varna is famous for its objects of architectural heritage, which were created in different periods of the history of the city. Most of the historical sights are churches, palaces, mansions. Among them, the buildings created in the 18-19 centuries stand out.
Evksinograd is the official summer residence of Prince A. Battenberg. The construction was erected in 1886 according to the building project designed by architects Lazarov and Meyer. The result was a magnificent building in the classic French style, outwardly reminiscent of the residence of the House of Orleans, which was located in the suburbs of Paris. In addition, in the process of creating Euxinograd, some fragments of the Parisian castle were brought to Varna and used as material for construction. Currently, the residence is not only a historical monument, but also a venue for official meetings and government receptions.
The Roman baths, located in the city center, are under state protection and are surrounded by a special fence. According to scientists, this thermal complex was erected in the 2nd century AD, after which the baths functioned for more than 100 years. The study of the ruins made it possible to recreate the appearance of the baths and assess the scale of the building. Tourists can get to know this amazing structure at any time. To do this, it is enough to purchase a ticket for a sightseeing tour of Varna, which includes a visit to the term.
The Assumption Cathedral is the hallmark of the city and is located in the central part of Varna. The temple was built at the end of the 19th century to commemorate the liberation of Varna from the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Emperor Alexander II took an active part in the construction of the cathedral, and this greatly influenced the stylistic diversity of the temple. Elements of Russian temple architecture in combination with neo-Byzantine architecture are clearly traced in it. Architect Gencha Kuneev managed to create an amazing masterpiece, which to this day is the key attraction of the city.
The Aladzha Monastery is located 13 kilometers from Varna and is a unique ancient complex of caves. In the period from the 4th to the 12th century, monks - hermits, leading a closed lifestyle, settled in them. The catacombs were divided into several parts, each of which was a kind of cell. The monks lived in complete asceticism, and in their free time from prayer they painted the stone walls with frescoes. Some of them have survived to this day. Aladzha ceased to exist in the 14th century when Ottoman troops destroyed part of the caves. However, after that, the monks continued to settle in these places.
Where else to go in Varna
In addition to historical and architectural sights, there are many places in Varna where you can go with children. The tourist infrastructure of the city is well developed, so you will always find entertainment for every taste. Include in your travel program:
- Dolphinarium is a favorite place of the children's audience in Varna. A spacious hall, many positive emotions, fascinating show programs, contact with marine life - you will find all this in the dolphinarium. After the show, it is allowed to take pictures with the dolphins and swim with them for a fee. On the ground floor there is a small cafeteria and a gift shop.
- The zoo is another place worth visiting in Varna. First of all, tourists are attracted by the democratic ticket price and the opportunity to walk through the picturesque territory of the zoo. All the inhabitants of the zoo are kept in spacious enclosures, and it is convenient to observe them from special areas equipped with binoculars. Also, tourists are offered excursions by mini-buses. During the tour, you can take pictures of the animals and see them at close range.
- The largest aquarium in the city, created on the basis of the Institute of Aquaculture and Fisheries in 1912. On the territory of 140 square kilometers, there are aquariums of various sizes, in which representatives of the Black Sea fauna live. Also, several hundred species of algae, shells, mollusks and other unusual inhabitants of the underwater kingdom are demonstrated here. The aquarium is open to the public every day from 9 am to 5 pm.
