If a historical museum decided to become disneyland, this would be something like it. If you are a history enthusiast and also enjoy military history, this is one of the best places on earth right now.
This park contains 1:1 size replicas of historical structures/settlements found in Bulgaria or that existed. You get thrown into what Bulgarian people used to live like and the whole park aims to depict from the stone age all the way to the second Bulgarian empire (late medieval age). You have accurate to every known detail stone age houses with each being a few thousand years apart and evolving/ becoming better and showing how humanity became smarter. Inside the houses you can also see the furnishing and the various tools and weapons that stone age people used. Then there is a thracian (sort of Greek) religious sanctuary and a building with many swords and other weapons as well as armors, helmets and shields. Finally, there is a early medieval age nomad and city buildings as well as wooden fortifications, also with furnishing and many details/weapons/tools.
The best part about this park? You can almost touch everything. You can try out the stone age fridge, pickaxe, spear, sit on the throne, feel the leather, try thracian weapons, armor, helmets and shields, sit on thrones and the very same goes for the medieval settlement as well. This is the fundamental idea that makes this park just so enjoyable. I felt like a child on santas lap when I was allowed to try out different kinds of Greek/Thracian weapons, helmets, shields and armor. However, please make sure to ask the staff nicely about touching and be sensible about the item worth and fragility. Finally, please place back the items where they were and always remember where they were before taking them in the first place, otherwise such an amazing concept might be restricted or outright banned which would remove such an amazing thing about this park.
the price which at the moment was 25 euros (50 lv) was more than worth it considering what you get for such a price, as there are random workers on the ground who will be more than happy to give you some valuable knowledge about the things you will see (Thank you so much much to Nikolai and Božidar, raise their salaries please). There are also micro transactions for things like archery and many others which I think are worth it but we had no time as we arrived 2 hours before closing. This park deserves 1 full day to fully feel the immersion and enjoy the activities, a guide would probably be worth it too.
Only con/problem would probably be that they are all high-quality 1:1 detail to detail replicas/fakes, not the real deal, so for some that might be a dealbreaker, however for me it is far more enjoying than looking at rotten and time consumed things behind 3 inch glass. The only thing I find weird/sad, however, is that for example with so much millions of $ going into rebuilding even the baba vida castle, the original amazing baba vida castle is at the moment abandoned and looking in a sad state from the inside with no events/furnishing and many graffiti, so the better thing to do would be to redirect all those millions to revive it and make events rather than rebuild it elsewhere, kinda sad to abandon such good looking structures that still exist and just rebuild a copy elsewhere :(. Seems better to rebuild things that are already lost or lost most of its grand properties.
The park has 3 ages on display with 3 more (bulgarian empires and Roman Empire age) to come, once those are complete, this will probably the best thing for history loving people to see who do not mind replicas/copies. The workers were amazing, So much love to Nikolai/Božidin and others whos names I forgot (guide with underarmor blue t-shirt and glasses young man love you too).
This thing will be the reason why I will return to Bulgaria again if I...
Read moreI recently visited the Historical Park near Varna, Bulgaria, and it was an absolutely amazing experience! This place is a hidden gem that brings history to life in the most captivating way possible.
From the moment we arrived, we were transported back in time. The park is beautifully designed with several thematic zones that showcase different periods of Bulgarian history. We started our journey in the Prehistoric Settlement, where we explored life-like reconstructions of Neolithic and Chalcolithic dwellings. It was fascinating to see how our ancestors lived thousands of years ago.
The Thracian Civilization section was particularly impressive. The detailed replicas of Thracian tombs and temples, along with interactive displays, provided a deep dive into this ancient and mysterious culture. It was like stepping into a different world!
As we moved through the Greek and Roman zones, we were amazed by the accurate and detailed reconstructions of temples, villas, and daily life artifacts. The live demonstrations of traditional crafts and customs added a dynamic touch to the experience.
The First and Second Bulgarian Empires zones were equally captivating. The medieval fortresses, palaces, and churches were stunning, and the historical reenactments were both educational and entertaining. We learned so much about Bulgaria's rich heritage and left with a greater appreciation for its history.
What sets this park apart is its interactive nature. We participated in pottery workshops, witnessed Thracian rituals, and even saw a medieval battle reenactment. These activities made the visit not only informative but also incredibly fun and engaging.
The amenities were excellent, with plenty of dining options offering delicious traditional Bulgarian cuisine. The souvenir shops had beautiful handmade crafts, and the rest areas were perfectly placed for a quick break.
The staff deserves a special mention. They were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and always ready to provide detailed information and assistance. Their passion for history truly enhanced our experience.
Overall, the Historical Park in Bulgaria is a must-visit destination. Whether you're a history enthusiast or just looking for a unique and immersive experience, this park has something for everyone. We left with wonderful memories and a newfound appreciation for Bulgaria's incredible past....
Read moreThis weekend I attended the Assembly of the Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria. As a guest, I managed to meet people and businesses in diverse areas making my field of view even broader. 👨💼
The host of the event was Historical Park Neofit Rilski, that made the experience even more nostalgic. The historical park aims to recreate and represent Bulgarian culture and ways of living through our great history. All buildings are built like real castles with real stone and modern construction techniques. They will basically last forever. All people who live in the area and support this movement and culture try to have a sustainable and well-organized society that's healthy and united. Words would not be enough to describe all the renovations and activities in this region, highly recommend to visit it ASAP and have a tour. 🏞️
I went there without any expectations, I was hoping to meet a few interesting people that do business. Not only that, I came back home inspired after the weekend, because of all the entrepreneurs and Bulgarians who try to preserve our culture, present it in a modern way and fight through all the struggles because they won't back down. A society that creates an infrastructure, not only for tourism, but for life. 🏰
I'll be back...
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