Today Varna is not only an important port in Bulgaria, but also a major tourist center with numerous attractions, so many locals are engaged in tourism business, in the provision of services to tourists and other visitors to the city.
Top 10 attractions in Varna
In the Stone Age, the first human cultures already appeared here, and later the ancient Greeks came here and founded the colony of Odessos, which traded with the Thracians. Several centuries later, Varna fell into dependence on ancient Rome.
Christianity came here very early, and the city came under Byzantine rule only in the 10th century. In the 14th century the Turks conquered Varna and made it a powerful naval fortress. Russia repeatedly tried to take Varna, and in the 1920s the fortress surrendered.
But the city was finally liberated from Turkish rule only half a century later. Then Bulgaria, which included Varna, developed as an independent Balkan state.
Ecopark Botanical Garden
This garden was organized in the 1970s at the local university. And since the beginning of our century, it has been open to the public, although it is under guard. The main purpose of the botanical garden is the protection and preservation of rare and endangered plants.
There is a flora growing both naturally and artificially. There are three hundred exotic trees and shrubs (iron, paper, mammoth trees), at least a hundred herbaceous plants, a rich collection of irises.
Visitors can, with the help of experienced instructors, take lessons on horseback and ride in a convertible. The annual Horse Day is celebrated here with various competitions and contests. There is also a market where you can buy seedlings.
Stone Forest
This natural attraction is a must-see on the outskirts of Varna. There, in a valley covering an area of 70 square kilometers, there are many hollow inside columns of limestone up to seven meters high of unknown origin.
Many Bulgarians are convinced that these columns were driven in by some fabulous giant. Some scientists believe that these are the remains of giant stalagmites, others – the remains of ancient trees. Neither version has scientific research and evidence.
There is an opinion that this is some kind of sanctuary created by the hands of ancient man, like Stonehenge, because. Some columns are too symmetrical or parallel. But there is not much evidence for this version either.
Kamchia Reserve
This reserve is located two dozen kilometers south of Varna, near the resort of the same name. This territory became a reserve in the 51st year of the last century, and a quarter of a century later, under the UNESCO program Kamchia became a biosphere reserve.
Its most valuable part is the forests and flood meadows at the bottom of the Kamchia River. There are about 250 plant species in the reserve, including. many endemics. The river is home to many species of fish, amphibians (e.g., turtles), and about 300 species of birds.
Devnya Springs
These karst springs are located near the town of Devnya, near Varna. They form the Devnya River and do not freeze in winter. Archaeologists have found nearby ancient Thracian settlements and even a huge treasure trove of silver and gold products.
The most beautiful spring is called the Magic Spring by the locals, as legend has it that the sister of the Roman Emperor Trajan loved it. The water from this spring rises to a high wall and from there falls down to a nearby mill.
The largest spring forms a vast lake, from the bottom of which throws a large fountain of water, its temperature is about +18C. Today, tourists can go boating on this lake, admiring its beauty.
Euxinograd Palace
Construction of this palace began in the 1960s of the 19th century. It is famous for being the residence of the last Bulgarian king, Boris III, who died of a heart attack after meeting Hitler in the middle of World War II.
A magnificent park was laid out around the palace at the end of the 19th century. About 50,000 trees were planted here and fertile soil was brought in. Palms and cedars from those times still decorate the park and the palace itself today. A pond was dug near the park.
The palace is small in size, with antique furniture, huge chandeliers, and an antique sundial donated by Queen Victoria of England. Another attraction is the wine hut, where marvelous wines are still produced to this day.
Ovech Fortress
This fortress stands 50 kilometers west of Varna. Archaeologists are convinced that the fortress or previous fortification on this site was owned and used alternately by the Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Turks and Bulgarians.
There are three entrances in the fortress wall, and the eastern gate has survived in its authentic, original form. A bridge is built from the northern entrance to the nearby plateau. The west entrance is simply a spiral staircase.
The golden age for the Ovech fortress is considered to be the 12-14th century. In those days it was the military center of the entire province. Tourists like to visit the dungeon of the knights, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the stone cabins where the monks lived, etc.
Assumption Cathedral
This attraction of Varna is the Orthodox Cathedral, located in the center of this city. Construction of the temple took place in the 80s of the 19th century by order of the Bulgarian king. It was financed by donations from individuals.
Only in the second half of the 20th century were the church walls painted with frescoes, and stained glass windows. At the beginning of the 21st century there was a partial reconstruction of the cathedral: the frescoes were repaired, the ventilation was installed, the roof was renewed, etc.
A modern lighting system has been installed around the temple, emphasizing its special beauty. Today the cathedral has become a calling card of the whole Varna. From its bell tower you can see a beautiful panorama of this ancient city.
Seaside Park
This park was created in the late 19th century by architect Novak from the Czech Republic, it covers an area of about 80 hectares. The park is located on the seashore, near the center of Varna, here you can perfectly relax from the hustle and bustle of the modern city.
Park alleys stretch along the entire coastline, attracting visitors with beautiful scenery, sculptures and the fresh sea breeze. Today you can visit several museums, a dolphinarium, a zoo and even a terrarium.
The park also has the Palace of Culture, sports fields, planetarium, a whole system of fountains, there are modern water slides and an excellent beach. Those who are hungry can go to a cozy local cafe with Bulgarian cuisine.
Roman Thermae
It is the most valuable historical landmark of Varna, a real cultural monument of the Ancient Roman civilization. The thermae or baths are now part of the city’s archaeological museum.
The Roman baths of Varna have an area of about 7,000 square meters and are considered the largest in the Balkans. They were built at the end of the 2nd century AD. and have been used for their intended purpose for at least a century.
There are lobbies, locker rooms, meeting and sports facilities, hot and cold water pours, etc.
Today the bathhouses are used only for sightseeing purposes, for this you can order a guide or buy a guidebook.
Aladzha Monastery
It is an Orthodox monastery, carved in the limestone rocks no later than the 4th century, since then it lived here until the 18th century hermits who preached Christianity. The monastery is located a few kilometers from Varna.
In the 13th and 14th centuries it was the spiritual center of Hesychasm. This doctrine preached a total rejection of all worldly things, a rigorous asceticism, and a constant striving for moral perfection. At the end of the 14th century, the monastery was defeated by the Turks.
Today you can see the cells of the hermit monks, other rooms carved into the rock, the crypt, the monastery’s church of St. Mary of the Cross. Trinity and two chapels. On the walls of the caves are frescoes on the themes of the New Testament.
Video overview of the sights of Varna
Varna is a well-known port and seaside resort in Bulgaria. Historians have known the city since the 6th century B.C. as a colony of ancient Greece called Odessos. Only in the 12th century appeared its modern name after the name of the river flowing nearby – Varna.
