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The city center of Varna is full of beautiful architecture along pedestrianized streets. It’s easy to walk this part of a city in a loop.
Preslav Street
Starting across the street from the Dormition of the Theotokos Church (Uspenie Bogorodichno) is Preslav Street (ulitsa Preslav). Facing south, to the right are the City Gardens and clock tower. To the left is a monument to Tsar Kaloyan. Kaloyan ruled from 1197 to 1207 and was known as the “Greek Slayer” or “Roman Slayer”.
Liberation Square
Preslav Street opens onto Liberation Square (ploshtad Nezavizimost). It’s a pleasant open space with a fountain in the middle. The Stoyan Bachvarov Dramatic Theatre is located on the square. It opened in 1932.
Knyaz Boris I Boulevard
Pedestrianized Knyaz Boris I Boulevard (bulevard Knyaz Boris I) intersects with Preslav Street and continues to the east. It’s lined with colorful buildings on both sides, but many of them needed renovation during my visit.
Two buildings stuck out while I walked down Knyaz Boris I. The first was the Grand Hotel London. This five star hotel opened in 1912 with a unique design. It’s considered by many to be the finest hotel in the city. The next building is the St. Nicholas Church (Sveti Nikola). It’s known as the sailor’s church.
Surp Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church
Hidden away a couple blocks south of Knyaz Boris I is Surp Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. It was built in 1842 and has a memorial to the 1915 Armenian Genocide.
Boris Georgiev City Art Gallery
Continuing along Knyaz Boris I, the pedestrianized portion ends at bulevard Slivnitsa. Across the street is a small park containing the Boris Georgiev City Art Gallery, featuring works by many Bulgarian artists and a small international collection. The building was built in 1912 and served as a school before the art gallery moved in in 1944.
Varna Archaeological Museum
Not too far away is the Varna Archaeological Museum. Occupying the former Varna Girls School, built in 1892, it’s one of the largest museums in Bulgaria. Artifacts from the ancient history of the region are included in the collection.
Naval Club
Continuing back towards Uspenie Bogorodichno is the old Naval Club, which is a fine representation of the architecture in Varna.
