Museum of New History of Varna

The Museum of New History of Varna is located in one of the most picturesque corners of the city – the “Greek quarter”. The stone building, an architectural monument of culture, in which the museum exhibition is presented, is one of the oldest in Varna. It is assumed that it was built in the 30s – 40s of the 19th century and was the home of one of the wealthy merchants of that time – Rode. In 1851, the consulate of the Kingdom of Belgium was housed in the house on the current “8th November” street.

In the 1960s, the building was provided for the needs of the museum. The exhibition, renovated in 1990-1991, is located on three levels. They present the development of Varna from the Liberation in 1878 to the beginning of the Second World War in 1939. This, although short period, was a time of dynamic changes in all spheres of the city’s life. A time when the people of Varna parted with the oriental heritage and assimilated the experience and achievements of the modern European world.

On the ground floor of the museum there are exhibits illustrating the economic development of the city.

General plans of Varna from 1897, 1912 and 1928 show its growth. With original objects and reconstructions of the artisan workshops characteristic of the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, the path of Varna’s transformation from the center of an agricultural area into a craft and industrial center is marked.

Varna has been an important port and shipbuilding center since the beginning of the 20th century, which is why a special place has been set aside for its development.

The exposition on the first floor, presented in two halls, is dedicated to the growth of Varna as an international sea resort, architectural, cultural and educational center.

In the first, the so-called “Mayor’s Hall”, personal belongings and documents testifying to the municipal policy and activities of some of the most famous mayors of Varna in the period 1881-1937 are exhibited. The reconstruction of the mayor’s office with a desk and a cabinet with richly carved decorations arouses interest.

In the second hall, original photographs of iconic streets and old buildings, as well as architectural elements, can be seen. An important place in the exposition is given to the development of education and culture in Varna. In the same hall, you can see the Pleyel grand piano, with which in 1926 the first Bulgarian Folk Music Festivals were opened (forerunner of today’s International Music Festival “Varna Summer”).

In a special display case are shown the silver spade and spade, with which Prince Alexander I of Battenberg made the first sod of the Holy Assumption Cathedral.

A separate corner is dedicated to the Czech Anton Novak, to whom the people of Varna owe the wonderful Primorski Park, the City Garden, the greening of Varna and its surroundings. Items from the “Euxinograd” palace – the summer residence of the Bulgarian rulers – are also exhibited here.

The most attractive is the third floor, presenting with reconstructions the atmosphere and style of the city. Already at the beginning, a painted map from 1933 depicts the facades of the twenty most characteristic buildings preserved to this day. The visitor can “walk” along the coastal strip near the sea baths, see the reed beach cabin for changing clothes, stop by the resort office. The “windows” of the shops for hats, radios and children’s toys display exquisite objects and modern technology for their time, which arouse interest to this day. The exposition gives an opportunity to take a peek into a hotel room, a coffee shop, a beer bar and a photo studio. A guest room, veranda and courtyard of a wealthy Varna family also show the refined taste of the people of Varna.

The Museum of New History of Varna is the organizer and host of the first event in the city of the European initiative “Night at the Museum”. “On white jam and memories of Varna” in honor of Varna Day – August 15 is also a traditional event organized by the museum team.