Varna Варна (Bulgarian) |
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From top left: Asparuhov most, Black Sea beach, Euxinograd, Varna Archaeological Museum, Stoyan Bachvarov Dramatic Theatre, Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Drazki torpedo boat, Navy Club, Palace of Culture and Sports, Ancient Roman baths, Varna Ethnographic Museum
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Nickname(s): Marine (or summer) capital of Bulgaria Морска (лятна) столица на България (Bulgarian) Morska (lyatna) stolitsa na Balgariya (transliteration) |
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Location of Varna in Bulgaria | |||
Coordinates: 43°13′N 27°55′E / 43.217°N 27.917°ECoordinates: 43°13′N 27°55′E / 43.217°N 27.917°E | |||
Country | Bulgaria | ||
Province | Varna | ||
Municipality | Varna | ||
Established | 575 BCE | ||
Government | |||
• Mayor | Ivan Portnih | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 154.236 km2 (59.551 sq mi) | ||
Elevation | 80 m (260 ft) | ||
Population (12-31-2016) | |||
• Total | 343,991 | ||
• Urban | 417,867 | ||
Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | ||
• Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | ||
Postcode | 9000 | ||
Area code(s) | +359 52 | ||
Website | www.varna.bg |
Varna (Bulgarian: Варна, pronounced [ˈvarnɐ]) is the second largest city in Bulgaria and the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Situated strategically in the Gulf of Varna, the city has been a major economic, social and cultural centre for almost three millennia. Varna, historically known as Odessos, grew from a Thracian seaside settlement to a major seaport on the Black Sea.
Varna is an important centre for business, transportation, education, tourism, entertainment, healthcare. The city is referred to as the maritime capital of Bulgaria and headquarters the Bulgarian Navy and merchant marine. In 2008, Varna was designated seat of the Black Sea Euro-Region by the Council of Europe. In 2014, Varna was awarded the title of European Youth Capital 2017.
The oldest gold jewelry in the world, belonging to the Varna culture, was discovered in the Varna Necropolis and dates to 4200-4600 BC.
Theophanes the Confessor first mentioned the name Varna, as the city came to be known with the Slavic conquest of the Balkans in the 6th to 7th century. The name could be of Varangian origin, as Varangians had been crossing the Black Sea for many years, reaching Constantinople in the early Middle Ages. In Swedish, the meaning of värn is "shield, defense" – hence Varna could mean "defended, fortified place". The name may be older than that; perhaps it might derive from the Proto-Indo-European root *u̯er- "to flow, wet, water, river" (cf. Varuna), or from Proto-Slavic root varn "black", or from Iranian bar or var "camp, fortress" (see also Etymological list of provinces of Bulgaria).