Bulgaria - Varna City
Varna is Bulgaria's Sea Capital. The city is clean and green. Of the green miracles at least three are a must: the Marine Gardens which are the largest in the Balkans. Varna is a city of old culture, living traditions and ambitious undertakings. It is the third biggest city in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv. It is situated on nearly 29 sq. km and its population is 335 000. Terminal station on the railway lines Sofia-Varna and Rouse-Varna, a sea port, an international airport, second in traffic after Sofia are available in the Sea Capital as well. Crystal clear sand covers the long beach strip.
Varna is one of the most dynamically developing Bulgarian towns with good road communications, well organized air, sea and railway transport. The town is the third biggest industrial center in the country with busy shipping, shipbuilding and ship-repair activities. Currently, Varna International Airport is subject to heavy traffic following the growing tourist industry in Bulgaria and all investments are to modernize, expand and handle projected passenger traffic. In June, 2006 the Bulgarian Government awarded FRAPORT AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide a 35 year long concession on both Varna and Burgas airports in return for investments exceeding ˆ500 million, including a new passenger terminal by 2008. Much of Varna's charm is due to its seaside location, roughly on the same parallel as the French Riviera. Varna is the gateway to the nearby beach resorts of St. Constantine and Helena, Golden Sands and Albena.Thousands of holiday-makers from Bulgaria and abroad stay there every year. During the holiday season, July and August, the sunshine allows 10-11 hours of sunbathing. There is nothing of the cold Baltic wind or the summer Riviera heat. The sea is marvelously calm and free of dangerous tides.
The distinctive, red-tile roofed buildings and casual atmosphere lend the city a Mediterranean allure that is hard to resist. Founded by Miletian Greek colonists in the 6th century BC as Odessos, through the ages Varna and its busy harbor rose and fell in importance as a trading center and strategic military outpost for Romans, Byzantines, Proto-Bulgarians, Ottomans and others. Nowadays Varna is a symbol of blooming tourism and open-minded people. The town is marked with unique atmosphere. Gulls soar overhead as residents and visitors alike stroll the busy Knyaz Boris I pedestrian promenade, which runs from the city center at Nezavisimost Square to the flower-filled Marine Gardens.
The Marine Garden stretches for eight kilometers along the sea and contains the oldest city building, the Festival Complex and several museums, the most interesting of which is the Naval Museum. The Festival and Congress Center is located in the Sea Garden of Varna and is designed to host various events such as congresses, symposiums, concerts, festivals, performances, exhibitions, trades. The center has 11 multifunctional halls, about 250 meters exhibition area, luxury restaurants and coffee shops. It has to offer modern facilities and perfect organization of the events. Within the park area one can also find the Seaside Baths, the Aquarium (unique exposition of water organisms - Black Sea, freshwater, tropical fishes), the Astronomical Observatory and the Planetarium which organizes observation seances for visitors, Dolphinarium with an amusing show, etc.
Varna District is situated in the Northeastern part of Bulgaria. Its territory amounts to 3.44% of the territory of the country. It is composed of 12 municipalities with a total population of 465.012, which is 5.4% of the whole population of the country. The population is concentrated in the city of Varna - 314,539 people.
The city of Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria and the largest city in the northeastern region. It is situated on the Black Sea, extending into the Bay of Varna. The city was built on a large, even 18 meter high terrace in the far northwestern curve of the bay which juts out 7 km into the mainland.
Infrastructure
Varna District has the highest rate of digitization of the telephone network in Bulgaria (33%). Both Bulgarian mobile operators have offices in the city.
Logistics-roads, railroads, airports
Varna International Airport provides maintenance of airplanes, passenger and cargo (over 10,000 tons per year) services. The duration of the flight to Sofia is about 40 minutes with two regular flights a day.
Port of Varna is the largest port complex in Bulgaria. Its strategic location makes it a gateway between Europe and the Middle East. It is connected directly with Russia, Georgia and Ukraine by ferry and Ro-Ro lines. Shipping companies operate regular lines to Istanbul, Athens and other cities in the Western Mediterranean. By railway (Varna - Rousse) and the corriodor "Rhein-Main-Danube" the city is connected with Western Europe.
The port integrates four connected parts: Port Varna - East, Port Varna - West, Port Balchik and the port of the Thermoelectric Power Station. The well-developed infrastructure is connected with Port Lesport and the ferry complex as well. At Port Varna are available 20 ship terminals for general cargo, oil and chemical products, timber, etc., 2 container handling terminals for 20' and 40' containers and a passenger terminal. In November 2001 a modern facility for grain handling began operation. The port complex has at its disposal 70,000 sq. m in-door and 400,000 sq. m open-air storage area.
Current priority industry sectors
The economic profile of the Region includes: machine-building, shipbuilding, chemical industry, sea and air transport, tourism, food processing and wine industries. The industrial zones of Varna and Provadia are composed of over 100 enterprises, shipbuilding and repair, diesel engines, communications, sea-navigation, medical and household goods, textile and ready-made clothes, furniture and metallurgy. Food and wine industries produce over 50,000 tons per year. Fruits and vegetable conserves, sugar, salt, beer, soft drinks, fresh and processed meat and milk products are processed. Concentrated in Devnya and Beloslav are large scale chemical industries. The plants produce soda ash, cement, polyvinilchloride, fertilizers, detergents, washing and cleaning products, glass and sanitary glass, household chemical products. Port Varna is the second largest port (after Bourgas port) in Bulgaria. The ferryboat Varna - Ilichovsk is a direct bridge to Ukraine.
Agriculture: Prevailing in the region are grains and fodder cultures, vineyards and orchards. Main priorities are restoration of the vineyards (20 000 dka), creation of orchards (20 000 dka), rehabilitation of the irrigation systems, creation of small grain-depots, reconstruction of the stock-breeding farms, establishment of stock-exchanges and Agrobusiness centre.
Tourism and Culture
Last but not least, Varna region is a major scientific and cultural centers in the country. There are 9 universities, 4 of them in the city.
Within Varna are among the most prestigious resorts on the Black Sea coast. Tourist Complex Golden Sands, Sts. Constantine and Helen, "Riviera" and "Sunny Day" share the reputation of the most famous resorts in the world. Cnernomorets is an area south of Varna with steep banks covered with thick forests. The complex has many bungalows, chalets and rest stations. Natural and historical landmarks around Varna, including protected areas "Aladzha Monastery, Kazashko" Place Ecopark - university botanical garden and nature park "Golden Sands" create additional conditions for recreation and tourism. Resort complexes located near Varna have over 40 000 beds, representing one third of hotel facilities in the country. The tourism business is making about 10 percent of national income produced in the area.
Vinytsa famous neighborhood is located 10 km northeast of Varna. The wooded area around the neighborhood is a favorite place of the inhabitants of the town for walking and picnics and in the neighborhood has many private hotels, rest houses and restaurants. Cape Galata is attractive geographical entity with high rocky shores. At closeness is the Galata district, where many private hotels and holiday houses. About Asparuhov bridge, near the neighborhood Asparuhovo are the remains of Asparuhovo stronghold. Bridge is very popular especially with organized there bundji jumps. Not far away is the site Dzhanavara. It is basilica of the early chrristian period. Fossil forest is one of the biggest attractions of Varna. It is located 20 km from the city. City Devnya connects through a water channel in Varna lake. In the vicinity are the remains of the ancient city Martsianopolis - the second largest in the ancient city after Filipopolis (nowadays Plovdiv). Petrich fortress rises against the shared station, near the railway line Varna - Sofia. Fort was built in the fifth century, then destroyed, and built in 13-14 century. The fortress was an important bearing point during the battle of Vladislav Varnenchik in 1444. Rocks around the fortress are ideal for rock climbing.
BIB Group rents two storey house in area Akchelar in Varna. On the first floor there is one big living room with kitchenette, bathroom and closet. On the second floor there is three bedrooms, a bathroom and balcony. The house is luxury furnished. Cable TV, Internet, one garage and one parking space.
Location: Varna
Price: €950
Status: For rent
