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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Varna Dolphinarium is located in the Northern part of the Sea Garden in Varna. It’s not only the sole dolphinarium in the Varna region, but also in the whole of Bulgaria. It was founded on the 11th of August 1984 and has 1200 seats. The pools are filled in with sea water using a specialised pump system. The pool itself is 12 metres by 15 metres and a depth of 6 metres. The water is pumped from the Black Sea around 150 metres from the shore at a depth of 3-6m where it’s cleanest and also undergoes additional filtration before reaching the pool. The dolphinarium also features a cafe with a transparent wall to the aquarium where the dolphins reside. You can get a public transport bus 409 to the dolphinarium from the Varna airport as there is a bus stop nearby and the you can use the same bus to reach it from the Golden Sands, St.St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny Day etc., if you are residing in any of those places near Varna. Parking is also available for your rent-a-car in the neighbourhood north of the Sea Garden.
Varna Dolphinarium
In the Dolphinarium itself there are 5 dolphins – 3 female and 2 male. Kimbo and Dolly (the parents) were brought from the shores of Guatemala and Cuba. while Joanna, Bimbo, and Flipper were born in the dolphinarium itself.
The idea behind creating such a facility on the shores of Bulgaria was introduced for the first time by the zoologist Nikolay Boev. He first proposed a dolphinarium to be created in Southern Bulgaria. For a whole decade Nikolay did not give up on his idea and a plan for the construction was added in the plan for the creation of the Ropotamo National park. The plan however fell apart and the dolphinarium was subsequently built in Varna.
The Varna Dolphinarium makes for a great place to visit with family or friends, and My Rent a Car Varna can easily help in such an endeavour through the selection of rent-a-car family-friendly vehicle options in Varna.
If you are ever to visit Varna for a few days, or just passing by after a vacation at the Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, or just somewhere in the Varna region you should definitely visit this site. Adored by many of the citizens, the panoramic viewpoint of Galata is located some 2 kilometers from the city center. It’s one of the few places where you can enjoy not only the beauty of the city itself stretching from the “Pochivka” neighborhood in the east and the flat lands to the west.
Galata Panoramic Viewpoint
It’s one of the most preferred places to meet and kill some time mainly due to it’s great accessibility being just off the main road to the neighborhood of “Galata”. The parking is wide and can host many personal and rental cars from Varna, and also provides a view which can also be enjoyed from within the rent-a-car too. It’s open 24/7 for visitors and provides benches and binoculars to enhance the viewing experience, while the fence is often used by couples to hand locks symbolizing their love.
If you wish to visit Varna and see this majestic place for yourself you can rent-a-car from the Varna Airport, Varna Centre, Golden Sands, St.St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny Day, and in the Varna region.
The Museum of Dolls is a one of a kind establishment in the Balkans and in the Varna region, it’s one of the few such museums in Europe too. The museum was opened in 1985. The exhibition consistent for around 140 theatrical dolls as well as decoration elements from the sets. After a pause of 12 years between 1990 until 2002 the composition of artefacts is created again by the artist Tsvetana Vekova.
The first exhibits in the museum are the dolls of the founder of the doll theatre – Georgi Saravanov. After that newer dolls appear when you enter the museum. They were used between 1952 and 2002 in 24 emblematic plays of the theatre. The medals and achievements of the dolls are shown in three showcases. This way the exposition shows the creativity and craft of its authors, directors, actors, artist and constructors all in one. Different techniques, styles, and tendencies are exhibited in the development of this theatrical style.
Museum of Dolls
The location of the museum 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 Museum of Dolls 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.
An entertainment venue which has a great meaning for the citizens of Varna the Summer theatre is a place not only mentioned for its concerts and plays but also a great meeting spot for people visiting the Sea Garden. It is the only open theatre in the Varna region.
Historically the idea for a summer theatrical scene in Varna has its deep roots. After the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 a small wooden scene was erected with around 100 chairs for viewers on the place there the modern day observatory is built. It was the first summer theatre where varneans and traveling artists performed. In 1955 the building process for the Summer theatre was started based on a project designed by Zhechko Cholakov. The duration of the construction took 2 years.
Varna Summer Theatre
The scene itself is wide and round and in it’s northern end there is an arcade which in modern times is entangled in vegetation. The southern part contains the visitors’ seats on 2 levels – ground floor and a wide terrace. The total capacity for spectators is 2200. The facade is built as a massive wall which is decorated with embossed details full of political and cultural meaning. The entrances are at both ends of the facade while the space underneath and behind the schene is used for the actors’ and personnel needs – make-up room, garderobe, etc.
This major cultural symbol of Varna offers a unique ambiance for the visitors. It’s location is very convenient for visitors to come by foot or to park nearby as there is paid parking for your rent a car. This well-known place can be a great alternative place for your rent a car pickup. If you are looking for a more convenient pick-up spot we can accommodate your needs from Varna Airport, Varna Centre, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other point within Varna.
The crooked tree is one of the symbols of the Sea Garden of Varna. It’s located just off the alley of the Rebirth. The tree is of the Cersis type and poses such a strange form as it’s a half-bush.
Generations of Varna citizens have visited this tree to view and climb on its strange forms and twisted branches. A famous spot for taking pictures for both kids and adults, the grassy field behind it makes for a great place to also have a picnic and relax while having a break from the busy city life.
The Crooked Tree
The place is also used by different groups of people practicing different spiritual practices and beliefs or martial arts. Part of the reason the place is used for such causes is the power and energy that it brings.
If you wish to visit the crooked tree of Varna 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.
The Varna Aquarium, additionally known as Aquarium Varna is a public aquarium located in the Black Sea Garden of Varna..
The aquarium has an exhibition mainly focused on Balck Sea flora and fauna. The species of fish are over 140 and consists of freshwater fish, Mediterranean fish and exoctic species from the world oceans.
Prince Ferdinand I initiated the creation of the aquarium at the start of 1906. Doctor Parashkev Stoyanov was entrusted with the task of establishing of a maritime biological station. The prince also contacted the founder of the Stazione Zoologica in Naples to provide blueprints and photos of the aquarium in Naples. As per usual for that time a commission was elected in order to find a suitable location. In October 1906 the foundation was laid in the Sea Garden in the presence of the Royal Family, as well as other well known personas.
Varna Aquarium
The Aquarium was actually opened 26 years later in 1932 as during World War 1, the Balkan wars and the sanctions following the Treaty of Neuilly did not allow for the opening of the aquarium. In that time the building was home to army units, refugees and the School of Mechanics and the School of Fishing. The current staff of the aquarium includes 12 scientists conducting research related to hydrochemistry, marine microbiology, plankton, etc.
The central position in the Sea Garden helps with the accessibility of the building for citizens and tourists alike. There are living zones close-by too where parking for your rent a car automobile is available at all times. You can also rent a car in Varna through My Rent a Car and visit this landmark with a pick-up point location from the Varna Airport, Varna Centre, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.
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