Varna - tourist attractions

The Bulgarian city-resort of Varna is popular not only with stunning azure beaches and modern tourist complexes, but also with many historical monuments connected with its rich centuries-old history. The city originated as a Greek settlement in the IV century BC. Its name, which translates as "black crow" was subsequently obtained from the Slavs, who later inhabited the valley of the Provadia River. Tourists, who annually come to the city in large numbers, invariably wonder what to see in Varna, because the list of excursions is so varied, and the holiday is short. We offer a short overview of the most popular and visited places.

Varna - seaside park

The seaside park, also called the Sea Garden, stretches along the entire coast on an area of ​​more than 300 hectares. It was founded in 1881 by the Czech park-builder A. Novak. A real oasis of peace and greatness of nature, it consists of many rare trees and exotic plant species. On its territory there are a dolphinarium, a zoo, an aquarium, picturesque fountains, flower gardens, scenic platforms and monuments of architecture. Romantics and dreamers of all ages are invariably attracted by the Bridge of Desire, which you have to go through with your eyes closed - then, according to legend, the most cherished dream to come true.

Aquarium in Varna

By the order of Tsar Ferdinand, who made an invaluable contribution to the development of the city, in 1912 an aquarium was built in which the richest flora and fauna of local freshwater bodies and, of course, the Black Sea in its natural environment is represented. Imagination of visitors is struck by a huge panorama in the Central Hall, demonstrating the splendor and harmony of marine inhabitants. In other rooms, you can learn more about the life of marine fish and mammals, and the fact that the aquarium belongs to the Institute of Aquaculture and Fishing makes excursions not only extremely interesting, but also profound in the cognitive plan.

Varna: "Stone Forest"

The unique and mysterious valley "Stone Forest" is located 18 km from the city. It consists of many stone columns, looking at which it is difficult to believe in their natural origin. The locals call them "hammered stones", because, when looking at these stone pillars, there is always a feeling of involvement in their appearance of gigantic intelligent beings.

The origin of the valley has not yet been established accurately. Researchers put forward many versions. So, according to one of them - it's petrified stumps of ancient trees. The other is stalagmites, whose age is more than 50 million years. The third version says that these are just calcareous deposits that remained on the surface of the earth after the sea tide, and their bizarre form is the result of centuries-old exposure to atmospheric phenomena.

Museums of Varna

Archaeological Museum has a unique collection of more than thousands of exhibits, covering the period from the Early Paleolithic to the beginning of the Renaissance. Here you can see the treasures of Thracians, ancient Slavs, proto-Bulgarians. Attention deserves and the oldest collection of gold jewelry, dated - 5-6 millennium BC.

Ethnographic museum allows you to follow the richest history of the Bulgarian people, enclosed in national costumes, folk musical instruments, everyday objects. In the Museum of the Renaissance it is possible to get acquainted with the evidence of the restoration of the Bulgarian culture after liberation from the Turkish rule.

No less interesting are the Natural History Museum, the Memorial Park Museum of Vladislav Varnenchik, the National Naval Museum.

Varna: churches

Along with historical monuments and sights, the attention of city visitors is attracted by numerous churches and churches, of which there are a great number in Varna, as among its population adherents of various religions and concessions. Among the most visited sanctuaries are the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, the Armenian Church of St. Sarkis, the Church of St. Athanasius, the Church of St. Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa.

Of course, Varna is a very interesting place from the point of view of tourism, and for her visit you need only a passport and a visa to Bulgaria .