Varna

ABOUT VARNA
The city of Varna – population 325137, is situated at the Bay of Varna, 470 km east of Sofia. Varna is the biggest city at the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
Varna’s length is over 11 km, its width, including the new residential district in nearly 9km. The city stand in tiers and follows the curves of the Bay of Varna. The city is surrounded by lots of gardens, vineyards and deciduous groves. Almost the whole territory is occupied with private country houses and belonging to them small farms. The city is a regional centre.
TRANSPORT
The fastest way to get to Varna is by airplane. It takes 50 min. from Sofia to Varna. Varna’s Airport functions throughout the whole year.
The Varna’s Railway station is located in the southern part of the town. Varna is connected to all the main railways in the country. There are express trains to Sofia and Plovdiv that reach for 7 and 4:30 hours respectively. Seats are limited so it is advisable to book sleeping car tickets a week before.HISTORY OF VARNA
The town was settled by the fishing tribe of Corbisy.
In sixth century BC a Greece town inhabited by settlers was established here under the name Odesos.
The town had been under the siege of the troops of Alexander of Macedonia in the middle of the fourth century BC but after the siege was put down the town was given the autonomy within the limits of his Empire. At the time of Lisimah the town reestablished its supremacy at the north Black Sea coast.
Gradually Odessos yielded precedence in the region to the town of Marcianopolis (nowadays Devnia). Having been conquered and devastated several times during barbarian invasion it came within the Byzantine empire.
In ninth century it was already called Varna. It is supposed that the name originates from the horse people in Central Asia. Т he town was included in the territory of Bulgaria during the reign of king Kaloyan. In 1391 it soon declined and the Turkish conquered the town. In 1444, during the crusade of the Polish king Vladislav Yagello and the Hungarian leader Yanosh Huniady, the town was under the siege of the knights. The troops of the Christian coalition suffered a complete defeat. The young king Vladislav was killed. The citizens of Varna built a mausoleum in his honour called Park-museum Vladislav Varnenchik.
In 1878 Varna was finally liberated from Ottoman yoke and became the most important Bulgarian seaport town. Varna quickly established as a seaside resort. Entertainment establishments and holiday houses were built. Varna won the fame of becoming a favourite place for the Bulgarian elite.
MUSEUMS
The Archaeological museum is housed in a building that used to be a school during the Renaissance.
The Museum of the Bulgarian Revival is housed in a building from 1861 which was proclaimed a culture monument.
The Naval Museum is in the Sea garden and possesses all the objects of importance for the Bulgarian Navy.
The Park-Museum Vladislav Varnenchik is to the north-west of the city.
The Etnographic museum is housed in a Renaissance house from 19-th century.
The Natural – science museum displays species typical of the Bulgarian flora and fauna.
The Aquarium and the Black Sea museum is the first and the only marine biological station in the country.
The Gallery of art possesses paintings by the most outstanding Bulgarian artists as well as pieces of work by numerous foreign artists, donated to the gallery by citizens. A branch of museum is the Museum house of Georgi Velchev .
An exhibition of icon – paintings from the Renaissance is held in the church St.Atanasii built in the 13-th century near the Roman spa. The church itself is very original with its mural paintings and icons and with its carved altar and bishop’s stall.
The Museum of medicine is the only one on the Balkan peninsula. Medical plants and herbs are here on display, as well as clothing used in the medical profession from ancient times up till now.
The Museum of Varna's history has an exceptionally rich collection. The Gold Treasure of Varna, dating back six thousand years ago it is the oldest gold in the world
FESTVALS
Varna’s festivals are large in number, the most popular of them being: the international choir gathering – at the end of the May; International theatre holidays – a part of the festival Varna’s summer – in June; a part of the aforementioned festivals also the international gathering of orchestras and ensembles for classical music – in July; a part of the same festival the jam session in July and August. Other important cultural events are: the folk festival with international participants in August; the international ballet competition in August; the international festival of cinema called “Love is Folly” – in September; the festival of Bulgarian cinematography “Golden Rose”; “The Gold Dolphin” – an international festival of puppet theatres held each year in October.
CINEMAS AND THEATRES
There are about ten working cinemas in Varna. Some of the best are in the city centre. The best is Mustang Cinema . It is very comfortable and offers almost 24 hours of block busters.
The Drama Theatre is open during the whole holiday season with its three stages.
The Puppet Theatre is also open throughout the whole season.
LANDMARKS
The Roman Spa is situated in the proper centre of the city.
The Cathedral of Holy Mother is considered to be an emblem of the seaside capital of Bulgaria.
The Sea garden dates from the end of 19-th, being finally completed in 1908.
The open air theatre is a place, where various activities take place. These include the Varna Days of music, the world famous International ballet competition and Varna summer – a trienalle of arts.
The Pantheon is in Primorski park.
The Asparuh bridge connects the city centre with the residential district Asparuhovo and Galata. It is the longest bridge in Bulgaria.
The Clock tower was built in 1880 and it rises across from the cathedral. Beneath the cathedral is one of the branches of the Drama theatre and the Club of the cultural figures.
The Festival complex is opposite the entrance of the sea garden.
The Dolphin show house is one of the favourite attractions for children and the guests of Varna. Performances and demonstrations with regularly take place here.
Not far away from city centre is the Puppet theatre, where the “Golden Dolphin” festival of puppets take place each year. In the middle of the Sea garden is located the ZOOwith lot of species. Not far away from there is the Exotic Zoo where visitors can find many of exotic animals living on our Planet.
SURROUNDING AREAS
The famous village of Vinitsa is situated 10km north-east of Varna. It is a favourite place where the citizens of Varna often go on picnic or for walks, it is also a holiday spot with lot of small private hotels there.
The Cape of Galata is a very attractive for lots of tourists who are keen on having a seclusion with nature. There is the residental district Galata where are lot of small hotels and holiday houses.
The resort complex of Chernomorec includes several chalets and lot of bungalows.
Around the Asparuh bridge near the residential district the relics of the rampart of Asparuh can be seen. Not far away is the knoll of Djanavar. A basilica from the early Christian period is built here.
The Stone Forest is 20 km west of the city.
The town of Devnia is connected with the Varna canal by the Varna lake. There are remains of the ancient town of Marcianoppolis, the second biggest town in ancient Bulgaria after Philipopolis (in present days – Plovdiv).
The fortress of Petrich rises opposite the railway station of Razdelna, close to the railway from Varna to Sofia. The fortress was built in 5-th century, later on it was pulled down and rebuilt in 13-th to 14-th centuries. It was an important defense fortress in 1444 during the battle of Vladislav Varnenchik. The rocks near the fortress are perfect for mountaineering.
Population: | Over 100000 |