Related Topics  Varna  Culture		Varna Siteseeings The Nezavisimost Square - home to the opera house - is a great starting point for a casual stroll to take in some of the city's other historic sights. Starting with the Roman fortress wall and Round Tower, Cathedral of the Assumption, Old Clock Tower in the City Gardens you should make your way through the residential quarters, dotted among chestnut tree-lined streets... right down to the port. The 19th century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an imposing landmark, which contains a finely carved iconostasis and bishop's throne, some interesting murals and stained glass. The 2nd century thermae are the remains of the largest Roman public building in Bulgaria. During this century enough has been revealed by archaeologists to give a good impression of the original layout, though some parts of the building remain hidden under nearby streets. Coming across an extensive ancient building amidst the streets and houses of a modern city is not unusual in Bulgaria, but is always a delight. Further from the centre, a granite monument commemorates the Battle of Varna, which took place in 1444. Here 30,000 Crusaders were waiting to sail to Constantinople when they were attacked by 120,000 Turks. The Polish King Ladislas was killed in a bold attempt to capture the Sultan Murad. The subsequent retreat foreshadowed Christendom's general retreat before the advancing Ottomans. At the seafront you will be greeted by the colourful flowerbeds of Marine Gardens, modelled allegedly on the Viennese Baroque palace gardens of Schonburnn and Belvedere. The impressive park also houses various museums including one on Natural History, a Planetarium, zoo and aquarium. If you are lucky you might even catch a glimpse of a pair of dancing bears!

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