Varna (population 314 539) is the biggest city at the
Bulgarian Black-sea coast. It is a city over 110
kilometers long, its width, including the new
residential quarters is nearly 9 kilometers. The city is
like an amphitheatre and follows the curves of the Bay
of Varna. It is surrounded by lots of gardens, vineyards
and deciduous groves. Almost the whole territory is
occupied with private country-houses and their small
farms. The city is a regional administrative center.
Terminal station on the railway lines Sofia-Varna and
Rouse-Varna, a sea port, an international airport,
second in traffic after Sofia.
Varna was an inhabited place even before the Greeks
established the colony of Odessos there about 580 B.C.
Later, under the Romans and their successors, the Slavs,
Varna became a major port trading with Constantinople,
Venice and Dubrovnik. In 1393 it was captured by the
Turks, who made it an important military centre.
Nowadays it is the main port for both
naval and commercial shipping and, adjacent as it is to
the coastal resorts of Golden Sands, St. Constantine and
Albena, it has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Sailors on
shore-leave in unfamiliar ceremonial uniforms, mingle
with foreign tourists and locals as they promenade along
shady boulevards, lined by dignified 19th and early 20th
century buildings.
The Sea Garden Park is an emblem of Varna City. It dates
from the end of the 19th century, being finally
completed in 1908. Nowadays there is an amphitheatre,
astronomic site, the first in the country with an
observatory, planetarium and a tower, many playgrounds
for children and a small channel where they can practice
rowing, as well as a poll for water wheels and a Zoo.
The Open-air Theatre is a place, where various
activities take place. The central long sand-covered
beach strips are located beneath the sea Garden Park.
The Dolphinarium ( Show-House ) is one of the favorite
attractions for children and guests of Varna.
The fastest way to get to Varna is by
Airplane, it takes 50 minutes from Sofia to Varna. Varna
Airport functions throughout the year. Planes in both
directions fly 6 or 7 times a day during the summer.
Varna is connected to all of the main railway lines in
the country. There are express trains to and from Sofia
reach for 7 hours respectively. Seats are limited so it
is advisable to book sleeping car tickets a week before.
The bus station is 1.5 kilometers away from the city
center. Buses for all the main destinations in the
country start from here. Buses travel to Athens and
Istanbul as well as to some cities in Central and
Eastern Europe. Two times per week there is a direct bus
line London - Varna and Varna London. Varna's public
transport offers aver 60 bus lines that travel to
various destinations. Some of the buses travel to the
nearby resorts (20 kilometers away from the city).
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