Bulgarian Regions
Varna region
Varna Region is located in North-Eastern Bulgaria. It borders the regions of Dobrich, Shumen and Bourgas as well as the Black Sea to the east. The region is generally hilly and along the river valleys of Kamchia and Provadiyska, it is plain. The seashore has wide stripes of sand towards which wooded mountain slopes run down in terraces. The coastal line is shaped by the bays of Varna, Kamchia and Sveti Yani as well as the promontories of Galata and Cherni (Black). Interesting places to visit are the dense riparian forests in the river valleys of Kamchia and Batova, Provadia River, the caves near the village of Beloslav, Orlov Kamak Waterfall at Armira River. The unique natural formation of upright stones (Pobitite Kamani) west of Varna occupies an area of 70 sq.m and resembles columns of up to 2 m in diameter driven into earth and rising up from 5 to 7 m from the ground. The area is rich in ground and karst water. There are two firth lakes beside the sea - Varna and Beloslavska, connected in 1923 by a navigable canal. There is mineral water rich in iodine near Varna and in the valley of Kamchia River. Both industry and agriculture are well developed in Varna Region. The Ruse-Varna railway line, the oldest one in Bulgaria, passes through this area linking the Black Sea and Danube region. The resort complexes of St. Constantine, Golden Sands (Zlatni Piasatzi), Riviera, Sunny Day (Slanchev Den), Kamchia, pearled along the coastal line, are wonderful places for rest. This region also offers conditions for cultural, balneological and eco tourism. The cultural history of the region is millennium old. The oldest vestages of life - pole dwellings from the chalcolythic and bronze age - have been discovered near the Beloslavsko Lake, Dark Hole (Temnata Dupka) Cave on its bank also preserves traces of a prehistoric life. Remains of ancient settlements, structures, necropolises, castles are found at many places in the region. The cultural monuments are evidence of the well-developed civilization in this area. A gold treasure was found in 1972 during archeological excavations of the chalcolythic necropolis at Varna. The treasure dates from 32-30th c. BC and is believed to be the oldest golden works of art. The largest Roman thermae (baths) that have been found so far in Bulgaria are those in Varna. Good evidence of the medieval culture in the region are the gold treasure from the beginning of the 6th c. found in 1961, Aladzha Rock Monastery, etc. Some architectural monuments of the National Revival period are preserved too.