North East Bulgaria

North East Bulgaria, covering 20,000 km2, is the third largest region in Bulgaria. It borders the Black Sea to the east, the Danube river to the north and the Balkan range to the south, and includes six districts: Varna, Dobrich, Razgrad, Silistra, Targovishte and Shumen. The region is inhabited by 1.3 million people, which corresponds to 16% of the national population, and produces 14.4% of the Bulgarian GDP. North East Bulgaria is crossed by three pan-European transport corridors and three international roads. An international airport (Varna), a sea port (Varna) and a river port (Silistra) are located in the region.

The key regional actors in the field of innovation are the University of Economics - Varna, Varna University of Medicine, the Technical University of Varna, the Nicola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Varna Free University, as well as the following scientific and research institutes: the Institute of Oceanology, the Bulgarian Ship Hydrodynamics Centre, the Institute of Metal Sciences, the Institute of Water Transport, the Institute of Fisheries and Aquacultures, and the Institute of Chemical Technologies and Biotechnologies – Razgrad. The regional branches of the SME support agency, the regional development agencies and a large number of centres for training and professional qualification are also active in the region.

Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria. It is situated 470 km north east of Sofia. The city amphitheatrically follows the curves of the Varna bay in the region of the Beloslav Lake, west of the town and the Varna Lake. The city offers bus connections to the Northern Black Sea Coast resort, including Golden Sands, Balchik, Kavarna and many others.

The city has a thousand year old history. The region was settled even during prehistoric times and the archeological remains testify of a developed civilization from the Eneolithic period. The oldest cultivated gold in Europe was found in the city, known as the “Varna Gold Treasure”. According to specialists its history dates back from 5000 years. Later on ancient Thracian villages emerge in the region.

In the 6th century before Christ, Greek colonizers from Millet build the tow of Odessos. The town soon becomes a huge trade centre, despite of the fact that it was first settled by fishermen and farmers. The Thracian lifestyle and culture combined with the Hellenic traditions, brought by the Millet colonizers transform the town into an important cultural and trade centre. In the 28th year before Christ Odesos was conquered by the Romans, and they provide administrative independence of the town and free trade. Gymnasium, theater, numerous temples, draining system and roads that lead to the town were constructed in the town. During the great migration of the nations the town was burned down by the Avars and long after that stays in ruins.

During the medieval period Bulgaria and Byzantium change its possessions, when in 1202 King Kaloyan conquers the town and causes a strong hit. Varna rises again under the rule of Ivan Asen II. He made trade contacts with Venice and Genoa. In 1393 Varna falls under the ottoman rule. In 1444 the crusades were broken down lead by the Polish Hungarian king- Vladislav III Yagelo in an attempt to stop the ottoman invasion to the heart of Europe. After his death he was named Vladislav Varnenchik as a sign of honour. The once thriving town was long after that transformed into oriental settlement. During the renaissance Varna forms as an important trade centre, however the Turkish garrison situated in the town does not allow the development of revolutionary activities.

There are several hypotheses for the origin of the name of the town. It is considered that Odessos means “military town”. After the 6th century the name Varna is included in the chronicles. Explorers discover the Indo-European origin for towns build near by water conducts.

There is no wonder that Varna is announced to be the sea capital of Bulgaria. Its thousand years old history and the archeological remains of different epochs and civilizations, make the town very interesting. Its strategic location on the sea coast is additional advantage for the town. Some of the most prestigious Black sea resorts are situated nearby the city- “Albena”, “Golden Sands”, “St. Constantine and Helena”. Thousands of tourists are attracted by the wide beaches in the city and its vicinity and transform it into a live city with active cultural and dynamic night life.

The Roman thermals build during the second century and the Roman bath from the 3rd century are the most preserved architectural sightseeing from antiquity. Symbols of the city are the cathedral church “Holy Mother”, build in 1886 and the sea garden. The summer theatre, a meeting centres for many cultural events, the first in the country astronomic complex with observatory, planetarium and a tower, the Military Navy museum, amphitheatre and other. Among the contemporary buildings and complexes are the Festival complex and the Sport Palace.

The history, culture and lifestyle of Varna are presented in the numerous museums in the city. Tourists can visit the Naval and Archeological museums, the museum of the National Revival, the park museum “Vladislav Varnenchik”, the Ethnographic museum, the Natural science museum, the Aquarium and the museum of the Black Sea, the museum of History and Art and the only one on the Balkans - Museum of Medicine.

One of the biggest attractions is the Varna Dolphinarium, where the smart sea mammals entertain the guests and residents of Varna.

Varna is a constant host of folklore, film and theatre festivals. The town is always live. The restaurants and mehanas in the city, which offer delicious meals, are countless, and the night clubs leave unforgettable memories. Tourists can choose from a wide range of luxurious and cosy hotels which offer lux and comfort. Please contact us for more information and reservations.Dobrich is situated amidst the Dobridga plateau in Northeastern Bulgaria. It is situated on 512 km in north eastern direction of Sofia, 51 km northwestern of Varna and 37 km southwestern of the border with Romania- Iovkovo. The city is a regional centre and the granary of Bulgaria- Golden Dobrudja.

The region where Dobrich is situated was settled since ancient times. Remains from a roman settlement from the 4th century before Christ and 4th century after Christ were found. During the 8th century after Christ ancient Bulgarian settlement was situated in the region. Many Barbarian invaders and other nomadic tribes devastated the region and the life in the region gets calmer during the Second Bulgarian kingdom.

The contemporary town arises in the 16th century as a crossroad settlement. Majour roads from the Danube River to the Black sea and Eastern Europe going to the inner sides of the Balkan Peninsula are crossing the region. The traveling Turkish tradesman Hadgioglu Pazardjik is considered to be the founder of the city. The town bears this name until 1882, when the town is renamed to Dobrich- after the famous Dobrudja boyar- Dobrotitsa.

Until the 18th century the population of the town is mainly with Turkish origin, but after the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, after the Russian- Turkish wars (1810, 1828, 1845) many Bulgarian settlers from Odrin, Kotlen and Targovishte.

In 1851 the famous Dobrich fair was organized in the town. It receives goods by traders from Varna, Rousse, Shoumen and even more remote cities. The cultural appearance of the town is created, the church and education, the girls education also started. The first Bulgarian church in the region- “st. George”, was built in 1843 and in 1844 a school was build in the town.

The town’s revival starts from 1869 when a public park, telegraph connection with Varna, post of and a public hospital were constructed.

After the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule a railway was constructed to connect Razdelna- Dobritch- Kardam and later on it was developed to reach the Romanian town Medgiya.

The centre of the town offers numerous museums and places that worth to be visited- the historical museum “Iordan Iovkov”, the museum “Ethnographic house”, the house museum “Iordan Iovkov”. The Ethnographic museum “The Old Dobrich”, is exceptionally interesting as it treasures and develops the crafts in the region and the lifestyle and customs of the Bulgarians that came in the town from other parts of the country.

There are many clubs, entertainment and restaurants where visitors of the town can relax and have fun.

Shoumen is situated in the northeastern part of Bulgaria 380 km of the capital of Sofia and just 90 km away from Varna sea resort. Shoumen has a rich history and every part of its vicinity seems to tell it. Settlement remains from the bronze epoch were found in the site.

The town emerges as a fortress settlement on the eastern part of the Shoumen plateau, build by the Thracians during the 5th century BC. Later on the town was again fortified and developed by Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians and Turks. Together with the ancient Bulgarian capitals Pliska and Preslav during the Medieval period Shoumen was an ancient Bulgarian fortification, that later enlarges as a feudal fortress with inner town many churches and craftsmen workshops. Shoumen falls under ottoman rule in 1388, but in 1444 Vladislav Varnenchik passed through the town with his army and the fortress was demolished by the Turks and the town was removed to its present place at the foot of Ilchev bair (ridge).

Two majour hypotheses for the origin of the name exist. Arabic and Turkish historians wrote about a beautiful town bearing the name Shimeonis/ Simeonis – it is considered that it is named after Tzar Simeon the Great. The other hypothesis is that the town bears its name, because of the wild flora that surrounds it.

During the revival period epoch Shoumen forms as a majour craftsmen and trade centre which is a prerequisite for the development of a dynamic cultural life. The first public celebration of the day of the saint brothers Cyril and Methodii in Bulgaria took place in the town and the first theatre play was performed here. Many revival figures were born in Shoumen and made a lot for the development of the town like the founder of the Bulgarian theatre Vasil Drumev and the revolutionary Panayot Volov. The first cell school for girls, the first symphony orchestra and the first class school for girls were found in the town.

After the liberation Shoumen becomes a regional municipality centre. In 1882 the beer factory “Shoumensko pivo” opened doors in the town, build with Czech investments. The site for the construction of the factory was chosen, because of the unique qualities of the water that springs from the carst Shoumen plateau.

The rich cultural- historical inheritance of Shoumen and the region, combined with the beautiful nature give prerequisites for its development as a first class tourism centre. The landmarks of the town are the churches “Sveto Vazvisenie”, “Holy trinity”, the Armenian church “St. Asvizazin” (wholly Mother), Tombul mosque, which is the second largest working Muslim chapel on the Balkan peninsula. The museum houses of the revolutionaries Panayot Volov, Dobri Voinikov, the Hungarian settler Laiosh Koshut, and the great Bulgarian composer Pancho Vladigerov.

Among the architectural monuments are the clock tower, the oldest building in Shoumen – the Bezisten, Kurshun cheshma (public fountain) and many others. The historical museum preserves findings from different epochs; you can also climb up 1300 steps to reach the emblematic monument “1300 years Bulgaria”. The monument is situated on the top of the Shoumen plateau, which offers incredible view. Art and architectural skills are showing the history of Bulgaria from Asparuh to the Golden century of Tzar Simeon the Great. Another historical- archeological reserve “Shoumen fortress” proudly stands on top of the Shoumen plateau. It is one of the best studied archeological sites in the country. Nearby Shoumen are situated the first and second capital of Bulgaria – Pliska and Preslav.

Madara village is also nearby situated. It hosts the unique “Madara horseman” relief listed in the UNESCO heritage list.

The Shoumen plateau offers beautiful fauna. Manu holiday homes, placed on the plateau are preferred places for holidays. The plateau is a site, suitable for numerous alternative sports like mountain biking, paraplaner sports, rock climbing and cave exploration. The unique carst relief of the Shoumen plateau has formed 60 caves. One of them is “the Secret hole”, which is among one of the deepest in whole Europe with 115 metres inclination.

Shoumen has a lot to offer to nightlife lovers. There are several big disco clubs, as well as several small night clubs. The traditional Bulgarian mehanas for gastronomes are also a great number.