bg Varna

Varna Aquarium

- Primorski Boulevard 4 -
The foundation stone for the construction of the educational building was laid on October 22, 1906, at the initiative of Prince of Bulgaria. He ordered Doctor to organize a marine station with the promise of his full support. The architectural project was assigned to the Bulgarian architect , who together with Parashkev traveled to and to familiarize themselves with the construction of aquariums. The building was completed in 1911, but the beginning of the in 1912 did not allow the completion of its furnishings. In 1913, for easier completion of the aquarium, as well as for its use for scientific purposes, Tsar Ferdinand I, handed over the building to the University of .
The aquarium during the construction
The start of the again stopped the development of the institute, and after the war, the building became a refuge for military units, and then an accommodation for Thracian refugees. The building also housed the Engineering School for some time, and from 1921 to 1930, it housed the Fishermen's School. After that, the building was handed over to the Sofia University, repairs were made and it was equipped with the necessary devices and apparatus. On July 17, 1932, Tsar officially opened the Marine Zoological Station with an aquarium. The first director of the Varna Aquarium was Professor .
Tsar Boris III during the opening of the aquarium
The beautiful Art Nouveau building features a lot of fragments that are adorned with some of the most common animal species in the Black Sea. Above the main entrance, and underneath the segmental that connects the two piers, you can see an stating АКВАРИУМЬ (AQUARIUM), which is surrounded by two , which is a symbol of the Greek God , who is the god of the seas. Below you see a spectacle that consists of a huge decorative shell surrounded by two , and hold on by an octopus. A bit further down you can see another epigraph stating AQUARIUM, which is surrounded by three fragments that contain ornamental water lilies and ornamental fishes.

The upper part of the rest of the building is decorated with a wave pattern. A strip of is placed under the cornice that connects this part with the other part of the building. The fragments that lavishly decorate the building are adorned with even more ornamental shells, as well as ornamental crabs, and fishes, but also with fragments that are richly decorated with .
Members of the Fishermen's School in front of the building