Provadia Tourist Information

The municipality of Provadia is the largest in the district of Varna and constitutes 15% of the total area. The region is blessed with very fertile soil and there are numerous agricultural farms in the area. In the summer the region is a riot of colour, with bright yellow sunflowers, red poppies and rich green grass.

Provadia town is a lively and attractive place which sports a bustling town square (prohibited to vehicles), parks and numerous pavement cafes. Behind the town, the rugged and scarred face of the mountains provides a spectacular backdrop to the little walkways and seating areas. In the Old Town, the National Revival Complex "Varosha" maintains the beauty and atmosphere of times gone by. The Historical Museum also retains the old Bulgarian Revival architecture and, close by is a restored wine cellar.

Twenty years ago Provadia attracted 6,000 tourists annually, seeking the health benefits of the spa waters. The town is about to experience the rebirth of this attraction, as the mineral baths in the southern part of the town are being restored. The healing waters come from two springs and offer relief for problems with joints and muscles, as well as the peripheral nervous system.

Nature in Provadia

There are three protected areas in the Provadia municipality:
Snezhinska Koriya - a 150-year-old oak and beech forest
Slavekovo Forest - a habitat for the lesser-spotted Eagle, honey-buzzards, steppe-buzzards and sparrow hawks
Golyama Kanara - a habitat for rare species of bird, including the long-legged buzzard and the Egyptian vulture

The History of Provadia

More than 7,000 years ago the salt water springs attracted settlers to the region. This ancient settlement lasted nearly 2,000 years. in the 4th Century BC, a Thracian tumulus was built over the ruins of the earlier settlement. Today, the "Salt Pit" settlement is considered to be one of the most important archeological sites in Bulgaria and is the site of ongoing excavations.

To the east of Provadia lies the mediaeval fortress of Provat-Ovetch. This fortress was both a stronghold and an important economic and administrative centre. In 1388 it was conquered by the Ottomans and in 1444 it was taken by the Polish and Hungarian king Varnenchik, during which the fort was badly damaged. The remains still stand proudly like a crown above the town of Provadia.

Go for a lovely and relaxing stroll along the fortress walls

There are many places to walk in the Provadia region, including a number of eco-paths such as the "Through the Eyes of Time: Nature and Culture" pathway. Quiet and peaceful places to stroll, these eco-paths include wooden footbridges, fords, rock-climbing areas and camping areas.