More about the city
Country: Bulgaria
Varna is the third biggest city in Bulgaria and the biggest on the Black Sea coast with its 336,505 residents accordung to the National Statistical Institute data as of December 2018. Varna’s rich history, beautiful nature, multiple cultural events and extraordinary economic potential is why people call it “the sea capital of Bulgaria”. It is located on a slope following the curves of the Gulf of Varna, surrounded by plenty of gardens, forests and vineyards. A combination of a lively seaport city, naval base and a modern resort, Varna is a cosmopolitan and interesting city where you can enjoy your vacation at the fullest.
History
Varna’s history dates back thousands of years ago. The city was established in VI century BC by Greek immigrants who gave it the name Odessos (“a city by the water”). Years later the city became a part of the Macedonian Empire ruled by Alexander the Great. During that period, it became an economic and cultural center. In XV century, the city officially became a part of the Roman Empire and functioned as a key seaport of the Moesia Province. Odessos retains a relatively independent administration while the Romans built enormous baths with rich decorations – the Roman Thermae which became the fourth biggest ones in whole Europe. In 624 the Avars and Huns took over the city and left it in ruins. As a result, the area was deserted and forgotten for a couple of centuries. Slavs slowly start settling in the city and gave it a new name—Varna. After Bulgaria was established in 681 and the Bulgars settled permanently in the area, the city started expanding and turned into a main military “point” that protected the first Bulgarian capital Pliska from potential Byzantine attacks by sea. After the Christianization in 864, under the rule of Boris I, Varna became a key center for Christianity. In 1393, the Ottomans invaded the city and it slowly assumed the appearance of a Middle Eastern city. However, it managed to preserve its strategic importance. On July 27, 1878, Varna was officially liberated as a result of the Russo-Turkish War and started to rapidly develop and modernize. When it comes to history, Varna is known for two other incredible facts. The city is where the last Crusade, also known as the Battle of the Nations, ended in 1444. In October 1972, not too far from the city, the Varna Necropolis opened its doors. There you can see the oldest treasure in the world made of technologically processed gold dating back to 4400 – 4100 BC. Today it can be observed in the Archeological Museum in Varna.
Geography
The city is located in the North-East of Bulgaria and it is 470 km away from Sofia, 222 km away from Veliko Tarnovo, 190 km away from Ruse and 130 km away from Burgas. The city area is 298 sq.m. It is more than 10 km long and almost 9 km wide, including the new residential areas. The city has a moderate continental climate with a noticeable influence from the Black Sea. The average temperature in January is +1,8°С, the average temperature in July is +22,6°С, and the average temperature throughout the year is +12,2°С, which means summers are warm but breezy and winters are mild and not too cold.
Infrastructure
Varna is one of the cities with the most developed infrastructure. Its strategic location and rich natural resources make Varna one of the most popular resorts on the Balkans and the biggest one in the Black Sea region. Furthermore, Varna is an important connection between the Middle East and Western Europe. The infrastructural importance of the city is determined by 3 main factors: the Port of Varna, the International Varna Airport and the telecommunication network. The quality of life is high, while health care, education, social and cultural services become more and more modernized every year. There has been a sudden rise in the health status and the activity of the population in the last 10 years, while the standard of life meets all European social and environmental criteria. The urbanization rate (the percentage of urban population) is 82,7%,which is higher than the average for Bulgaria—72,9%. The region’s socioeconomic “appearance” is closely related to the positive development of the industrial, commercial and service sectors. The main economy sectors of the region are: shipbuilding and ship repair, food and processing industry.
Development
Varna is a flourishing city that is constantly developing. It is considered one of the most prosperous and dynamic cities in Europe and its potential is often compared to the one of the Spanish favorites Valencia and Barcelona. The number of foreign investments is constantly growing, and the tourism in the region provides a great amount of money in the State Treasury. The prestigious educational institutions, the good job opportunities, the construction of modern residential buildings and the rich cultural treasures of the city attract thousands of visitors from the country and abroad. The beautiful resorts Saints Constantine and Helena and Golden Sands are considered a part of the city. You can find many other amazing places in the surroundings of Varna, such as the Euxinograd Palace, the Aladzha Cave Monastery and the smallest of the 11 nature parks in the country—the Golden Sands Nature Park. The city cultural program includes a variety of international events, including festivals such as the Varna Summer Fest, the Love is Folly festival, the Golden Dolphin festival, August in the Arts, etc. Moreover, Varna is the home of the International Ballet Competition—the oldest and most prestigious ballet competition in the world.
