Balchik is an interesting old town and it is well worth spending some time here to explore, enjoy the street cafes and shop in the market. Ancient Greeks traded here and the Bulgarians had a flourishing port for 700 years until 1396 when the Turks arrive. It then remained a mainly Muslim town until the last century. Many older buildings survive and as you walk down the steep main street to the harbour there are tantalising glimpses of bell towers,a mineret, terraced gardens,old granaries and the sea beyond.
You’ll find traditional Balkan style hoses around the market and a Turkish mosque nearby. The Museum of National Revival includes
Balchik’s first Bulgarian church and you should not miss the 19th century boys’ school for a lesson in early teaching methods!. The town’s two museums have interesting collections of costumes, crafts and pottery.

                                                 4. Kavarna Ethnographic Museum

A visit here is a delight. You step through the gate into the walled garden to find a beautiful house from the 1800’s, once the home of a wealthy Bulgarian family. The house became the first Bulgarian school at the end of the Ottoman period, but has now
been superbly restored and furnished again
as a family home. It is full of richy
coloured carpets, geraniums and tulips under the mulberry tree in the tradional garden.

You can sit and enjoy the serenity of the house and its garden. There is usually an exhibition of local arts and crafts in one of the outbuildings.
If the curator knows you’re coming you will be welcomed with traditional bread and salt and perhaps some accordion music.

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