Varna Archaeological Museum, Varna (must see)

Initially part of the City Library in 1888-the Varna Archaeological Museum grew out of the pioneering efforts of archaeologists Karel and Herman Škorpil. Originally housed in a girls’ school built between 1892 and 1898, the museum took over the entire building by 1993 and transformed it into a dedicated archaeological space.

The museum guides visitors through Varna’s ancient tapestry-from Paleolithic tools and Thracian relics to remnants of Greek, Roman, medieval Bulgarian, Byzantine, Ottoman, and National Revival periods. Over 100,000 artifacts are on display, including some 900 medieval and Revival-era icons.

The star highlight is undoubtedly the Gold of Varna, unearthed in 1972 from a nearby necropolis. Dating back to around 4,600–4,200 BC, this trove of gold items-considered the oldest worked gold in the world-occupies three dedicated exhibition halls and offers a unique glimpse into prehistoric wealth and craftsmanship.

The museum extends its presence outdoors through the Roman Thermae, one of Europe’s largest preserved ancient bath complexes, and the Aladzha Monastery grotto near Golden Sands. It also manages several sites under conservation, including early Christian basilicas and fortified settlements nearby. On-site, visitors can also explore a library, a children’s study section, a gift shop, and a café-while the courtyard lapidarium often hosts events like the Varna International Jazz Festival.