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Kastritsi Fortress

The fortress from above

On the territory where the “Euxinograd” residency stands today, just outside of the main road connecting the Varna centre to St.St. Constantine and Helena, Golden Sands, Albena and Kranevo a small port settlement had emerged. It stood over the small cape “St. Yani” during the late antiquity (4th-5th century AD). During the Middle ages it turned into a city that developed maritime trade and movement. This is why the city is marked on a lot of maritime maps from the 14th until the 18th century, even though it had ceased existing in the last two centuries. Allegedly after the 15th century the only remnants of the city were only the port and a small fortification. The names with which the town was marked on maps were Kastritsa, Katritsi, Katrichi, Ketritsi, etc. all of which originated from the Greek word “castro”, meaning “fortress”. Today it’s know as the Kastritsi fortress.

Research of the Kastritsi fortress

In 1899 Karel Skorpil started the first research of the Kastritsi fortress. Despite that more data for the scheme of the medieval fortified town date from the period 2004-2011, when yearly excavations were done under the leadership of prof. Dr. Valentin Pletniov. He is the director of the Regional historical museum of Varna. A big part of the north wall which is over 200 metres long was revealed and is preserved with a height of about 3 metres. Around it there are 5 circular towers with a diameter of about three and a half metres. Towards the eastern end a single rectangular tower was built and on top of it an Ottoman style triangular one. In that zone of the city a second thinner wall was found which suggests that the small town area was surrounded by the two walls which probably belonged to the citadel. 

Inside the remains

In the corner between the western and northern walls, where a circular tower once stood, a four-wall dungeon was built. It was later fortified from all ends with an outside stone casing. It’s possible that the case was planned to defend it from artillery fire and it dates from the 15th century. During that time the fortress was still considered valuable for the Ottoman defence of the Black Sea coast. The dungeon itself however was pre-ottoman as the lower level has remains of wall writing which suggests that a chapel once stood there.

Preserved parts

Some of the town’s web of streets is preserved as well as a church, a few inns, the town centre as well as some residential buildings. The items found within the town include coins from as late as the reign of emir Suleiman, which were minted in 1404. 

If you wish to visit the Kastritsi fortress you can take advantage of My Rent a Car by getting a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, the centre itself, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.

Author denislavr Posted on Categories Blog, Uncategorized Tags , , , , , , ,

Han Asparuh monuments

The han Asparuh monuments immortalise the first Bulgarian ruler han Asparuh. The first one is located in the garden which belongs to the “Prosveta 1927” community centre. The second one is the monument of the Asparuhov soldier, located in the Asparuhovo park. 

Monument in the Asparuhovo park

The history of their construction starts in 1934 based on the idea of colonel Petar Dimkov. He assembled a committee for building a park in the grounds surrounding the Asparuhovo shaft. A copy of the bust of han Asparuh was planned to be placed in the Asparuhovo tower. The tower is the highest point of the Roman thermae. During that time the Asparuhovo neighbourhood was named “Tihina”. The name found its origins in the Turkish name for this area “Ses Sevmes”. The inhabitants did not like the name of the region and the sound coming from the shaft was a good reason to rename the neighbourhood. The new name was given on the 17th of December 1934.

The work for the project continued on and in December 1935 some 120 people were working on the design of the alleys and park. A fence was placed along the whole length of the Burgas road and the road to Galata – trees were also planted beside that road. At the same time again by proposition by Dinkov, Kiril Shivarov was charged with the design of the Asparuhovo soldier, while Kirili Georgiev was charged with designing the bust. When finished, the bust was placed at the start of the shaft while the soldier was placed some 600 metres to the southwest of the bust. The soldier was facing the sea which made for a very intimidating look.

Monument writing

Opening and the third monument

Apart from the two main han Asparuh monuments, a third monument was erected. It resembled an authentic old Bulgarian marble column with the symbols “IYI” carved in it. The column itself was found 20 years earlier by the archeologist Karel Skorpil. He believes that the column was authentic and dated from the time of Asparuh.

On the 3rd of august 1935 the monuments and the park were officially opened, amassing big celebrations. The Asparuhovo tower received a copy of the bust which was later removed during more serious excavations of the thermae. In May 2000 the bust was relocated to its current location. 

If you wish to visit the monuments you can take advantage of My Rent a Car by getting a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, the centre itself, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.

Author denislavr Posted on Categories Blog, Uncategorized Tags , , , , , , ,

Holy Virgin monastery

The Holy Virgin monastery in the region of Salzitza near Varna is one of the biggest in the Balkans. It’s located within the boundaries of the city around 4-5 km away from the Varna centre to the west.

Inside the current day monastery

The old Bulgarian monastery was discovered at the start of the 20th century by the founder of Bulgarian archeology Karel Skorpil. Bigger excavations and research started in 1995 and with a few pauses continued until 2007.

The complex is unique in its construction scheme and size. It has no without parallel in both the Bulgarian and Byzantine building traditions. It’s alleged that the monastery was built near the end of the 9th century and the start of the 10th from tzar Boris the First. The monastery was built in honour of the holy virgin. Traces of life in the complex were found from as late as the 18th century.

Present day

Until today only around 5 acres have been cleared and partially researche. This is less than half of the whole territory of the monastery complex. Inside the monastery grounds, archeologists found a big church and a big tower with a chapel. In additiona to that the found a big scriptorium covering an area of 400 sq.m., a library, a school, monk quarters as well as an altar table, blacksmith shop, and a lot of bulgarian, serbian, byzantine, turkish and venetian coins.

The monastery from above

The cathedral church is located in the centre of a wide yard and is similar to the so-called “Aton” type. It has very spacious half circled spaces to the north and south where during service the whole monk brotherhood gathered. The building was decorated with wall writings and a monumental stone plastic. Around it there is a chain of quarters built with the soft limestone bigor, which was subject to easy modelling.

If you wish to visit the Holy Virgin monastery you can take advantage of My Rent a Car by getting a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, the centre itself, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.

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Мonastery “St.St. Constantine and Helena”

The monastery “St.St. Constantine and Helena” is located some 10 kilometres north-east of Varna. It is not known when the monastery was founded. Folk tales tell that during the 16th century a monk brotherhood lived here and the founding of the monastery is connected to the miracle icon of the patrons of christianity St. Constantine and St.Helena and the healing spring. Until this day the spring is kept safe and it’s located right behind the holy chair in the chapel. It is said that the prayers of the people that come there receive healing for what they need. Until the middle of the 20th century the church was guarded by an old chapel icon of both saints. 

The earliest written information about the history of the monastery come from the 18th century and are written in the book “Letters from Bulgaria” by the russian traveller Viktor Teplyakov in 1832.

Letters from Bulgaria book

History

During the russian-turkish war of 1828 the monastery was destroyed. A few years afterwards thanks to the efforts of two bishop brothers – Theodosius and Agapius, reconstruction started. The outskirts of the monastery “St.St Constantine and Helena” had a dense old forest which made it hard to reach. The monk quarters were not too crowded. This helped achieve full solitude when practising the christian culture. After the two bishop monks started inhabiting the monastery, the local population started reshaping the surroundings into arable land with their own labour. A part of the income of the agricultural work and the charity of the people of the Kestrich village were used for building churches in the nearby villages. They were also used for school upkeep, helping the poor, etc.

Until the founding of the Bulgarian exarchy in 1870 Varna was the main sitting place of the Greek bishop. The monastery was under the ruling of the Greek patriarchy. Unphased by this fact the monk Theodosius led the services in Bulgarian unless on big holidays. 

Monastery St.St. Constantine and Helena

After the political change in Bulgaria a battle has been led to return the former land of the monastery to itself again. This battle is led to this day. The monastery is the reason that the resort bears the name “St.St. Constantine and Helena” and is in close proximity to the Golden Sands resort and Aladzha monastery too.

If you wish to visit the “St.St. Constantine and Helena” monastery you can take advantage of My Rent a Car by getting a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, the centre itself, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.

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Odessos basilica

An important part of the religious life of the christians are the churches and the earliest form of a religious establishment was the basilica. Every major Roman centre had its own church building to facilitate the needs of the big christian community. The religious proceedings were led by the local bishop in the basilica. Smaller temples were usually built in the small neighbourhoods. In the Odessos region (modern day Varna region) some 10 roman-byzantine basilicas were found. An interesting complex containing three basilicas built one above the other in the period of 4th century AD until the 8th century AD was found on the “Han Krum” street.

The archeological research of this important early christian centre has taken place for over 30 years. It is related to the work of the prominent bulgarian archeologists Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, prof. Mihail Lazarov and Alexander Minchev. The Odessos basilica is the most spacious in the Varna region with a measurement of 40 to 16 metres.

Building process

The earliest basilica was built at the start of the 5th century with very tight proportions as it was wider than it was long with one apse. It stood for just a few decades as it’s thought that it had fallen due to an earthquake. It contained a big arrangement of internal decorations consisting of floor and wall mosaics, wall writings and internal architecture of multi coloured marble. It’s rich insides suggest that this was probably the main bishop church of Odessos.

The second basilica built over the first one was certain that it was the main bishop church. It was built in the first half of the 5th century and lasted some 50-60 years. It was bigger with a triple-ship construction with two yards. The mosaics and symbols of early christianity consisted of peacocks, flowers and birds.

A few decades later above its remains a new basilica was built and the columns were replaced by massive walls. They were constructed by reused blocks from the city wall of Varna. The construction plan was the same as the second Odessos basilica but with a marble floor. It was allegedly destroyed when the slavic people had taken over the city in 614.

Findings

The mosaics are filled with multi-coloured marble, clay and glass cubes. There are two kinds – with geometrical motifs and with figure panels, which show different christian symbols. During the excavation a crypt was found under the mosaics. It contained a relic with a lid from alabaster, which contained parts of bones from an unknown young saint. Copper coins form the 4th and 5th centuries were also found as the latest one was from 455 A.D. and it had the face of Petronius Maximus. These mosaics and findings show that indeed for about two centuries this place was the most important christian centre of Odessos.

The exhibits were transported to the Archeological museum where there are also parts of the mosaics. To this day the space where the basilicas were build is locked in between civil buildings and there is free access to it. 

If you wish to visit the Odessos basilica you can take advantage of My Rent a Car. You can get a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, the centre itself, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.

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Monument of the seafarers

The monument of the seafarers, fallen in the Serbo-Bulgarian war was officially opened on the 25th of September 1894. Its inaugural location was in front of the Cathedral. The funds for the monument were gathered by the officers that served in the maritime division.

The construction of the monument was funded also by the municipality council and under the control of engineer Pavel Karakulakov. The construction of the monument took about five months from start to finish. Four plates were placed, one of which had the names of the 54 soldiers who died written. On the front of the monument a cross was mounted and under a text with the meaning of the monument was mounted too.

As per tradition a service was led by the bishop Simeon when the monument was opened. Knyaz Ferdinand with his mother and wife personally attended the opening. The monument did not have its fence back then as the family of Ferdinand gave 4000 levs to further finish it. A cement base was built, 28mm projectiles were placed in the four corners which are wrapped by chains as well as four 20mm projectiles in the middle between the bigger ones. In 1995 the monument was moved to its current location near the heart of the city between the municipality and the Archaeological museum of Varna near the Varna centre. In 2019 the Seafarers monument underwent a restoration.

If you wish to visit the monument you can take advantage of My Rent a Car by getting a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, the centre itself, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.

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Tsar Kaloyan monument

The Tsar Kaloyan monument was built thanks to an idea by admiral Hristo Kontrov. It’s located in the Varna centre in close proximity to the Cathedral. The preparation of sculpturing and installation of the monument started in 2007. The craftsmen charged with building the monument and designing it’s look were the sculptors Boris Borisov, Konstantin Konstantinov and architect Milen Marinov.

The big brass statue of the horseman was cast in Sofia and transported to Varna. All of the metal material was gifted by the Ministry of Defence in the shape of melted shells from used bullets. The horse statue of Tsar Kaloyan is classical, symbolising the triumph of the ruler over the byzantine garnison defending Varna. The figure is pointing to the west and presents the tsar with battle gear and a raised right hand with a sword. The total height of it is 8 metres.

The four walls of the marble base are decorated with bronze carvings that show a few of the notable moments that happened during his reign. The takeover of Varna from bulgarian soldiers in 1201, the victory over the crusader army next to Odrin in 1205 as all as the capture of the Latin emperor Bladuin of Flanders, and the scene of the coronation of Tsar Kaloyan from the representatives of pope Innocent III are shown in chronological order. Tsar Kaloyan is the only Bulgarian ruler crowned with the catholic title of “king”.

The monument was opened in December 2008 with a ceremonial service led by the Varna bishop Kiril. A lot of civilians as well as foreign diplomats and politicians came to the unveiling of the monument.

The location of the monument is in the heart of the city centre. It’s accessible by foot, rent a car, taxi, public transport and basically every way of transport. If you wish to visit the Tsar Kaloyan monument you can take advantage of My Rent a Car and visit the park by getting a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, Varna Centre, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.

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A Journey Through Time: The History of Varna

Introduction

Varna, the third-largest city in Bulgaria, is a place where history meets the modern world. Nestled along the picturesque Black Sea coast in the Varna region, Varna boasts a rich and diverse past that dates back thousands of years. This article delves into the history of Varna, from its ancient origins to its role in the contemporary world, revealing the layers of stories that have shaped this vibrant city.

Ancient Roots

The history of Varna begins with its ancient roots, as it was initially settled by the Thracians around the 6th century BC. The Thracians established a thriving community in the Varna region, leaving behind impressive archaeological sites like the rock sanctuaries of Pobiti Kamani and the ancient Thracian necropolis in the nearby town of Devnya.

Roman Rule

During the Roman period, Varna, known as Odessus, became a significant trading port on the Black Sea. The city’s strategic location and natural harbor made it a hub for trade between the Roman Empire and various other cultures around the Black Sea. Odessus flourished with impressive architectural developments, including baths, amphitheaters, and city walls. Some of these ancient structures can still be explored today in Varna, providing a glimpse into its Roman past.

Byzantine Influence

With the fall of the Roman Empire, Varna came under Byzantine rule in the 5th century. During this period, the city’s significance as a trade and cultural center continued to thrive. The Byzantines left their mark on the city with the construction of religious buildings, which include the Church of Saint Athanasius, an enduring symbol of Byzantine architecture in Varna.

Medieval Times

The Middle Ages brought a succession of empires to Varna, including the Bulgarian Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. Varna was an integral part of the Bulgarian Empire during the First and Second Bulgarian Empires, with intermittent periods of Byzantine rule.

Ottoman Rule

The Ottoman Empire held sway over Varna from the late 14th century until the late 19th century. Under Ottoman rule, Varna experienced a blending of cultures, and many of the city’s present-day landmarks and customs are a result of this influence. Mosques, public baths, and grand houses were constructed during this era, offering a unique architectural tapestry that reflects the city’s diverse history.

Bulgarian Liberation

The late 19th century marked a turning point in Varna’s history as Bulgaria fought for its independence from the Ottoman Empire. Varna played a vital role in the liberation movement, and the city’s residents were enthusiastic supporters of the cause. The Russian and Romanian navies played a crucial role in helping Bulgaria gain independence from the Ottomans, and they sailed into Varna’s harbor to celebrate the city’s newfound freedom.

Modern Varna

Varna has continued to evolve in the modern era, becoming a vibrant, bustling city with a diverse and thriving population. The city has preserved its historical heritage while adapting to the demands of the contemporary world. Today, Varna is a cultural hub with a wealth of museums, galleries, theaters, and events that celebrate its rich history and its role in the modern cultural landscape.

One of the most famous landmarks in Varna is the Sea Garden, a vast and beautifully landscaped park that stretches along the Black Sea coast. It’s a popular place for locals and tourists to relax and enjoy the city’s stunning natural surroundings. If you plan to explore the Varna region, consider using convenient rent-a-car or car rental services to make your journey more accessible and enjoyable.

Varna has also become known for its annual International Ballet Competition, which attracts top dancers from around the world. This event has solidified the city’s reputation as a cultural destination.

Conclusion

The history of Varna, Bulgaria, is a tapestry woven with threads of ancient civilizations, empires, and periods of growth and transformation. This coastal city in the Varna region has weathered the winds of change and continues to thrive as a modern, vibrant metropolis while preserving its rich historical heritage. As you stroll through the streets of Varna, you can’t help but feel the echoes of the past that resonate through its architecture, culture, and people, making it a unique and fascinating destination for history enthusiasts and travelers alike. Don’t forget to explore the Varna region with the convenience of rent-a-car or car rental services, making your journey even more memorable.

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Varna Archeological Museum

In a country and city full of history the archeological museum helps preserve the memory of the numerous cultures which were developed and crossed paths with this land. It’s located in the centre of the city and quite close to the municipality building of Varna and the region. 

The museum was founded in 1887 by the Skorpil brothers. The building that hosts the museum currently is built in a late baroque style on 2 floors. The building was initially built with the purpose of being a maiden school between 1892-1898. Its shape is square with a vast outdoor area. The expositional areas is 2150 sq.m., while the library and the kid museum are separate.

The artifacts are from a wide region of eras as they originate from the paleolithic era (around 100000BC) up until the Middle ages. The biggest mesolithic collections of flint knives in Southeastern Europe, antique terracottas, lamps, and glass dishes. The most valuable artifacts originate from the Varna eneolithic necropol. It was found during building operations in the city’s west industrial zone in 1972. The necropol soon became a sensational finding, the meaning of which goes extensively beyond the limits of the ancient history of modern day Bulgaria. So far a total of 294 graves have been found and the gold items in them are over 3000 and with a combined weight of over 6 kilograms. The gold artifacts are 38 different kinds, copper ones over 160, flint ones are over 230, and 90 are from stone and marble. Around 1100 bracelets, applications, etc. were made from the shells of Mediterranean molluscs.

varna archeological museum. world's oldest gold

Apart from the necropol finding the museum hosts unique artifacts from the Elinic, Roman and late antique era. There are over 2000 golden, silver, bronze, and copper coins. In six halls can be found 150 religious icons which is the second biggest collection in Bulgaria after the one in the National historical museum in Sofia.

The Museum has public transport available all around and is a great place to be a pick-up place for a rent a car in Varna. You can also rent a car in Varna through My Rent a Car with a pick-up point from Varna Airport, Varna Centre, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna and visit this great place.

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Varna Botanical Garden/Eco Park

The university botanical garden or simply referred to as ”the ecopark” was created in 1977. From 2002 it was open for visitation by the public as the first ecopark in Bulgaria. In 2004 it was announced as a protected land. The main reason for the park is the preservation of various flora outside its natural habitat as well as preserving endangered species from the world. 

The park is located to the west of the St.St. Constantine and Helena resort just next to the main road between Varna and Golden Sands and is an easy place to visit via a rental car. The ecopark combines artificial and natural ecosystems. It’s territory is 360 acres and it’s collections contain over 300 different species of exotic trees and bushes, while the grass flora is over 100 species. There is a big collection of irises with over 250 different variations. The ecopark also has plants from all over the world such as: sea pine, tulip tree, ginkgo biloba, sterculia, iron tree, paper tree, evergreen oak, etc. A rosarium is located on its territory where over 30 species of roses are grown.

varna ecopark, botanical garden image

The park is also used for recreational purposes as it has half a dozen barbecue pits around it for use, a kids playground, a chapel and other places which can be used by the public. 

There is also an academic jockey club, where horse riding lessons can be taken with an instructor, or a free ride for advanced riders. The club organizes an annual national equestrian tournament for the cup of the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

Another annual tradition in the park is the celebration of Todor’s day – traditional horse races, donkey wagons, and prizes for the most beautiful horses are given. A biological station is also present, which offers summer internships and school practices for university students, as well as green schools for younger students.

A fantastic place to relax which can help you bring a different vibe to your holiday than the beaches in the Golden Sands, St.St. Constantine and Helena, or the Varna region in general. If you want to visit you can take advantage of My Rent a Car and visit the park by getting a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, Varna Centre, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.

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