published on 02.06.2010, 21:17 Author: Denitsa Paskaleva Article rating:
Rate this article:
Send to friend
Save in favourite
Print this article
Text size
The history of the town of Balchik is more than 2000 years old. The first evidence of the town’s development comes from Thracian objects found there. Though it became a Greek settlement, Balchik was initially found by the Thracians.
Balchik carried the name of Krounoi (probably a Thracian one) and Dionysopolis, after one of the Greek gods. When the first Greek settlers traveled to the area, they were enchanted by the nature and fertile land. The grapes that grew there were used for the production of wine, which made the Greeks name the settlement after the God of wine Dionysus.
The settlement gradually grew into strategic trade and marine center. Romans tried to conquer it various instances and their attacks made locals leave. The town started to decline.
Two stories tell how the name of the town came to be Balchik. According to the first theory Balchik is a word of Turkish origin, meaning small town. Other historians believe that the conqueror of the town, the boyar Balchik, came to rule there in the Middle Ages and gave the settlement his own name.
After the Balkan wars Balchik became part of the territory of Romania. The roman queen Maria decided to establish there her summer residence, because of the beauty and the nature of the region. The residence is called the Quite Nest and world-famous architects and botanists worked on it.
Maria’s palace combines various architecture styles, among which elements of Mauritian, Christian and typically Bulgarian styles. The queen tried to unite several cultures and religions, as shown in the garden. It features Arab and Roman tiles, a minaret reaching high above the palace, as well as a chapel built within the territory of the complex.
Several waterfalls bring peace and calmness to the surroundings. One of them is 10m high. An exact replica of the Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the villa of the queen’s son, prince Nikolai.
Since 1940 Balchik is once again part of Bulgaria’s territory.
Balchik is also well-known for its world-famous botanical garden, under the management of Sofia University. The garden has the second largest in Europe cacti collection. The largest one is found in Monaco.
Apart from cacti, the garden features a wide variety of plant species that have been collected over the years from different parts of the world. Among these species is the metasequoia, which was considered extinct until recently.
The garden is suitable for romantic walls because of the many alleys, benches and wonderful view of the garden’s flowers like water lilies and magnolias
Balchik’s art gallery is yet another of the town’s attractions. Created in the 30s of the XX century, today it has been moved to the renovated building of the former Balchik high school. An area of 800 sq m hosts some remarkable works of art. The gallery has seen exhibitions including the works of Salvador Dali.
Despite the popularity, Balchik has managed to preserve its romantic atmosphere and has not turned yet into a mass tourist resort. Balchik remains a marine town having its rich culture, history and beauty.
Balchik carried the name of Krounoi (probably a Thracian one) and Dionysopolis, after one of the Greek gods. When the first Greek settlers traveled to the area, they were enchanted by the nature and fertile land. The grapes that grew there were used for the production of wine, which made the Greeks name the settlement after the God of wine Dionysus.
The settlement gradually grew into strategic trade and marine center. Romans tried to conquer it various instances and their attacks made locals leave. The town started to decline.
Two stories tell how the name of the town came to be Balchik. According to the first theory Balchik is a word of Turkish origin, meaning small town. Other historians believe that the conqueror of the town, the boyar Balchik, came to rule there in the Middle Ages and gave the settlement his own name.
After the Balkan wars Balchik became part of the territory of Romania. The roman queen Maria decided to establish there her summer residence, because of the beauty and the nature of the region. The residence is called the Quite Nest and world-famous architects and botanists worked on it.
Maria’s palace combines various architecture styles, among which elements of Mauritian, Christian and typically Bulgarian styles. The queen tried to unite several cultures and religions, as shown in the garden. It features Arab and Roman tiles, a minaret reaching high above the palace, as well as a chapel built within the territory of the complex.
Several waterfalls bring peace and calmness to the surroundings. One of them is 10m high. An exact replica of the Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the villa of the queen’s son, prince Nikolai.
Since 1940 Balchik is once again part of Bulgaria’s territory.
Balchik is also well-known for its world-famous botanical garden, under the management of Sofia University. The garden has the second largest in Europe cacti collection. The largest one is found in Monaco.
Apart from cacti, the garden features a wide variety of plant species that have been collected over the years from different parts of the world. Among these species is the metasequoia, which was considered extinct until recently.
The garden is suitable for romantic walls because of the many alleys, benches and wonderful view of the garden’s flowers like water lilies and magnolias
Balchik’s art gallery is yet another of the town’s attractions. Created in the 30s of the XX century, today it has been moved to the renovated building of the former Balchik high school. An area of 800 sq m hosts some remarkable works of art. The gallery has seen exhibitions including the works of Salvador Dali.
Despite the popularity, Balchik has managed to preserve its romantic atmosphere and has not turned yet into a mass tourist resort. Balchik remains a marine town having its rich culture, history and beauty.
Article overview
Gallery
Videos
advertising
advertising
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
advertising
see all blogs
Blogs latest posts
-
When in Rome, do as the Romans do - A short opinion on why foreigners so often feel separated (and in my opinion...
published by Lucy in Bulgaria -
Winter resort disaster during the summer - In the winter, it might all appear oh so shiny and perfect. Winter resorts...
published by Lucy in Mountain Resorts -
The pleasures of culinary and rural tourism - I am madly in love with Bulgarian villages.
I mean the small ones, that...
published by Lucy in Rural
advertising
advertising
Balchik