House-Museum of Georgy Velchev, Varna

The house was designed in 1890–1891 for Bulgarian painter Atanas Velchev, with his son's, Georgy Velchev, own studio added in 1910. On May 25, 1960, thanks to the initiative of Varna’s City Council and the artist’s heirs, the residence was transformed into a dedicated museum showcasing Velchev’s work. It officially opened its doors as a museum in 1961, preserving both the space and vision of the artist.

Inside, visitors will encounter approximately 240 artworks, with around 50 on permanent display. The collection is housed across five exhibition rooms, covering roughly 100 square meters. Over the years, the museum has also hosted rotating exhibitions featuring both classic and contemporary Bulgarian art, alongside cultural events aimed at bridging art and community.

Georgy Velchev had a rich artistic career. He studied at the State Art-Industrial School in Sofia beginning in 1910, with his studies interrupted by the Balkan Wars and World War I. During the First World War, he served as a military artist for Bulgaria’s First Army and was later sent to France. His work garnered attention and sales across notable American cities before he returned to Bulgaria, where he remained until his death.

Today, the House-Museum of Georgy Velchev is a branch of the Varna City Art Gallery “Boris Georgiev,” a status it acquired in 2008.