All Bulgaria Virtual Guide - Travel to Varna and Varna International Airport

Odessos

The city of Varna is situated at the Bay of Varna on the Black Sea. About 560 years B.C. sprang up the town of Odessos in the area of an ancient Thracian settlement. It developed into a major agricultural, craftsman and commercial center. By the ninth century AD, it was already called Varna. It is believed that the name originates from the horse people of Central Asia. The city stands above the sea in tiers and follows the curves of the Bay of Varna. With a population of 425,137 it is Bulgaria's third largest city, following Sofia and Plovdiv.

Varna: The World's First Gold

Near the port of Varna, the oldest gold treasure in the world (dated from 4,500 BC) was found In 1972; an ancient necropolis with 280 tombs and 3,010 golden objects were found weighing over 6 kg altogether. According to experts it is the oldest processed gold ever found in Europe.

Varna has known many incarnations. Today this is the largest city on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast and is the main port for both naval and commercial shipping. Because it is a close neighbor to the popular coastal resorts of Golden Sands, St. Constantine, and Albena, Varna has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Varna is also the host city of numerous prestigious cultural events.

During occupation by Turkish forces in the last decades of the 14th century, Varna preserved its significance as a port and trade center. As Bulgaria fell under the Ottoman yoke, the only bearers of the Bulgarian cultural tradition remained within the folklore, the people's festivities, and the church paintings.

In 1881, after the liberation, the mayor of Varna Mihail Koloni brought up the question about a modern public park. His offer was at first scoffed by the local municipal councilors but a fund for the project was granted. Soon the park enlarged to 26 decares, 130 trees were planted, paths were cleared and ''towards nightfall alleys thronged by a long train of gentlemen and dressed-up ladies''.

Varna lies on the same latitude of the famous Atlantic resorts Bayonne and Biarritz in France, on a large, flat and high terrace on the northwestern most curve of the bay which juts some 7 km inland.

The Seaside Garden is not only a nature reserve, but also a recreational place for the citizens and visitors. The first cafeteria was placed on piles and covered with straw, a fountain spring was also built. In 1906 the foundation of the Aquarium, one of Varna's most famous sights, was laid. The building of the Aquarium (unique exposition of water organisms - Black Sea, freshwater, tropical fishes) was completed in 1911 and was later adapted to the needs of the Naval Engineering School and later on - of the Fishery School. It was not until 17 September 1932 that the Aquarium was opened for visitors. A Black Sea relief is modeled in front of it. Close by, the first Open Theatre was built in 1920 and between 1926 - 1939 it hosted the Varna Musical Celebrations, forerunner of the present Varna Summer Festival. The existing Open Theatre was built in 1960-1961.A favorite spot for both local residents and tourists is the dolphinarium in the Seaside Park. Its organized attractions and architecture are unique in all of Bulgaria.

Due to the greater expectations of Varna airport's role in the overall development of the Black Sea region and the considerably increased flow of both passengers and cargo, a new general plan has been promoted by the national government for the Varna airport complex over the last couple of years. The plan provides for modernization of both the international terminal and the domestic lines. Concession contracts are expected to be inked in 2005 before the start of the busy summer season. The 35-year contract will have an option for a 15-year extension.

The concession of Bulgaria's coastal (Burgas and Varna) airports is expected to attract investments of nearly BGN 100-150 M for both airports over the next several years. The Parliament has finalized amendments to the Aviation Act, which regulate the airport concession procedures. With the concession comes the obligation to maintain both airports in year-round operation for domestic and international flights - Varna and Burgas are currently fully-engaged only in summer months. More than 40 airlines have announced their intentions to launch charter flights to Varna in the summertime. This year for the first time, passengers from Madrid and Lisbon will be also able to land directly in Varna.

Varna-Budapest regular flights are scheduled by Malev Airlines of Budapest, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Bulgaria Air flag carrier has announced the launch of regular flights from the coastal city of Varna to the European cities of Amsterdam, Vienna and Frankfurt, as of May-June. The Varna-Amsterdam-Varna flight will run every Monday, the Varna-Vienna-Varna one - every Friday, and the return flight to Frankfurt will be scheduled every Sunday, the airline officials said.

Austrian Airlines has regular flights between Vienna and Varna, and scheduled flights four times weekly, including Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. A regular charter flight to Amsterdam is also operating at the Varna Airport.