site.btaVarna’s Sea Baths: A Century-Old Landmark

The Sea Baths have been one of Varna symbols since the town was declared a seaside resort in the early 20s of the 20th century.

Foreign travelers in the past, scientists, merchants, diplomats, were astonished by the charms of the coast around Varna. The first sea bathing lovers visited Varna in the middle of the 19th century seeking health and holiday breaks.

The first warm baths were built of reeds on the shore in 1888 but the building was destroyed by the waves.

Two years later a more solid construction appeared. At first there were two Sea Baths to be used by men and women separately. Steps led to the sea and the actual bathing took place in the enclosed area between the cabins.

A new Sea Baths building was needed when Varna was proclaimed a seaside resort in 1921 and the Municipality of Varna decided to build the Central Sea Baths in their current form. Czech company Pitel Brauseveter was awarded the contract and it assigned the project to prominent Varna architect Manol Yordanov Statelov (1877-1954). Construction began in May 1925 and the official opening took place on July the 12th 1926. Over 20,000 people attended the event.

The Central Sea Baths were built on 2000 sq m east of The Aquarium. It was a solid E-shaped two-story building. There were around 1,000 cabins in the building, a small pool in the central part and 66 hot water bathtubs.

With the construction of the Sea Baths, Varna became a modern seaside resort with the Sea Baths offering men and women sections, warm and cold bath spaces and a shared beach. All of that attracted a considerable number of local and foreign visitors. 

Today, the Varna Sea Baths are being renovated and restored. The Central and the North Baths buildings are being reinforced, including the mud bathing and hydrotherapy sections. There are numerous restaurants and leisure activities, just a small part of Varna’s summer night life.

A thermal spa center, offering thalassotherapy and mud therapy, is to be built as a plan of wellness and spa tourism development.