Varna, Bulgaria

Varna
Варна
From top left: Asparuh Bridge, Black Sea beach, Euxinograd, Varna Archaeological Museum, Stoyan Bachvarov Dramatic Theatre, Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Drazki torpedo boat, The Navy Club, Palace of Culture and Sports, The ancient Roman baths, Varna Ethnographic Museum
From top left: Asparuh Bridge, Black Sea beach, Euxinograd, Varna Archaeological Museum, Stoyan Bachvarov Dramatic Theatre, Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Drazki torpedo boat, The Navy Club, Palace of Culture and Sports, The ancient Roman baths, Varna Ethnographic Museum
Flag of Varna
Coat of arms of Varna
Nickname(s): 
The marine capital
The summer capital
Varna is located in Bulgaria
Varna
Varna
Location of Varna city in Bulgaria
Varna is located in Balkans
Varna
Varna
Varna (Balkans)
Varna is located in Black Sea
Varna
Varna
Varna (Black Sea)
Coordinates: 43°13′N 27°55′E / 43.217°N 27.917°E / 43.217; 27.917
CountryBulgaria
ProvinceVarna
MunicipalityVarna
First settled575 BC
Government
 • MayorBlagomir Kotsev (PP–DB)
Area
 • Total254 km2 (98 sq mi)
Elevation
80 m (260 ft)
Population
 (2024)
 • City
350,745[1]
 • Metropolitan
430,847[1]
Demonym(s)Varnéan (en)
Варненци/Varnentsi (bg)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postcode
9000
Area code(+359) 52
Vehicle registration plateB
Websitewww.varna.bg
Varna Sea Garden
Varna Sea beach

Varna (Bulgarian: Варна, pronounced [ˈvarnɐ]) is the third-largest city in Bulgaria and the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and in the Northern Bulgaria region. Situated strategically in the Gulf of Varna, the city has been a major economic, social and cultural centre for almost three millennia. Historically known as Odessos (Ancient Greek: Ὀδησσός), Varna developed from a Thracian seaside settlement into a major seaport on the Black Sea.

Varna is an important centre for business, transportation, education, tourism, entertainment, and healthcare. The city is referred to as the maritime capital of Bulgaria and has the headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy and merchant marine. In 2008, Varna was designated as the seat of the Black Sea Euroregion by the Council of Europe.[2] In 2014, Varna was awarded the title of European Youth Capital 2017.[3]

The oldest gold treasure in the world, belonging to the Varna culture, was discovered in the Varna Necropolis and dated to 4600–4200 BC.[4] Since the discovery of the Varna Necropolis in 1974, 294 burial sites have been found, with over 3000 golden items inside.[5]

  1. ^ a b "Население по области, общини, местоживеене и пол | Национален статистически институт". nsi.bg. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Варна (Varna) Becomes Centre of the Black Sea Euro-Region (Bulgarian)". Bg-news.org. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
  3. ^ "Varna awarded European Youth Capital". European Youth Capital. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  4. ^ Grande, Lance (2009). Gems and gemstones: Timeless natural beauty of the mineral world. The University of Chicago Press. p. 292. ISBN 978-0-226-30511-0. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2011. The oldest known gold jewelry in the world is from an archaeological site in Varna Necropolis, Bulgaria, and is over 6,000 years old (radiocarbon dated between 4,600BC and 4,200BC).
  5. ^ "Tourism in Varna, section 4".