In the Archaeological Museum visitors can see miniature models of pile dwellings from the Palaeolithic period; the hall to ancient arts and means of living; the hall t o antique arts one of the biggest and most impressive collections in the country; some objects and church plate from the early ages of Christianity; objects of cult from the ancient Bulgarian ethnicity; the hall with exponents from the 13th-14th century, where the development of crafts at that time could be traced; the hall of Bulgarian applied arts. The museum holds some rare objects from Egypt, Greece, Babylon and the Mediterranean countries, which were transported to ancient Odessos via the trade routes.
The National Revival Museum is housed in a building from 1861, which was proclaimed a cultural monument. Patriotic citizens and scholars arranged the museum exhibition in 1959 and it has been enriched and extended many times. An impressive exhibition shows the struggle for religious enlightenment, national independence and the epic battles during the Russian-Turkish War of Liberation.
The Vladislav Varnenchik Park-Museum is to the north-east of the city, near the crossroads for Sofia and Dobrich. It was built in honour of the historical battle in 1444 when Czechs, Poles, Croatians, Hungarians and Bulgarians tried to resist the Turkish invasion in Europe. A mausoleum to Vladislav Varnenchik was built in 1934 on the foundations of an ancient Thracian tomb.
The Ethnographic Museum is housed in a Revival house from the 19th century. A typical arrangement of a house in Varna at that time is shown there. Many kinds of jewellery are displayed as well as clothing, formal national costumes, everyday life items and goods manufactured goods in the city and its vicinities.
The Natural Science Museum was founded in 1960 and it displays species typical of the Black Sea flora and fauna. Geological and speleological miniature models show the stages of the formation of the Earth. There is a small board with the main kinds of stones and minerals.
The Varna Dolphinaruim is the only one on the Balkan Peninsula and it is among the greatest attractions that Varna can offer to its guests. The visitors will enjoy the incredible intelligence and playfulness of the sea mammals.
Burgas
The Archaeological Museum of Burgas is situated along Bogoridy Street which is leading from the central, pedestrian area to the city’s Sea Garden.
In the museum visitors will be fascinated by the variety of exhibits depicting different ages and periods from the history of Bulgaria and the town itself. There are votite tablets depicting the famous Thracian Horseman (the original can be seen carved in the cliffs near the town of Madara), many burial finds from the Classical-era, including the gold jewellery of a Thracian priestess, a Greek-language inscription from Mesembria (presently known as the town of Sosopol- a picturesque resort near Burgas), which is recording a peace treaty between the city and the local Thracian ruler Sadala and many more.
Near Burgas’s main promenading area along Bogoridi Street and Alexandrovska Street (the main shopping street) the Church of Saints Kiril and Metodii rises. It was built between 1894 and 1905. The Saints are depicted above the entrance, framed by some beautiful stained glass.
The nearby Ethnographic Museum is the place to see the astonishing folklore costumes of Bulgaria. There are exhibited some colourful Kukeri costumes, national wear from the region, textiles manufactured for centuries in the city, etc. in a specially arranged part of the museum visitors can see the actual way Bulgarian households were arranged during different historical periods, with the typical low furniture, children’s cradle, fireplace, pottery, etc.
The Natural History Museum, situated near the pedestrian area has a marvellous exhibition documenting the local flora and fauna. The museum is one of a kind along the south Black Sea coastline and it is dedicated to the preservation of rare animal, bird and plant species. Most of the exhibits are beautifully illustrated with phtos and films and are often used as documental base for different ecological and educational projects in which visitors can take part.
The Art Gallery of Burgas ranks among one of the oldest in Bulgaria. It is located in the former Jewish synagogue, a remarkable architectural monument built in the period from 1905 to 1910 by Ricardo Toscani, an Italian architect. Today the exhibitions there are set up on three floors and display the best of the gallery’s treasure stock, collected through the years, comprising of more than 2 500 works of art-paintings, sculptures and line art. The central space is allotted to pictures of Bulgarian artists from different periods. The exhibition on the second floor displays the achievements of Burgas artists throughout this century. The seascape of Burgas depicted in their paintings creates a unique atmosphere and style of expression. The Art Gallery boasts a most valuable icon collection from the Stranja Mountain (situated near the city) dating from the 15th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
Bogoridi Street ends near the attractive and well-kept Sea Garden of Burgas, laid out with flowerbeds, statues and fountains, and dotted with cafes. There visitors can take advantage both of the splendid views from the terraces and the shady lanes-a coloureful relieve from the summer heat.
