Varna is Bulgaria's third-largest city and its main port. It has a population of 330,000 and is home to numerous museums and an Orthodox cathedral. The city holds an annual international music festival from mid June to mid July.

Greek colonists founded Varna as the town of Odessos in the 6th century BC. However, the Halkolithic necropolis and the gold coins and artefacts exhibited in the Archaeological Museum bear witness to a much older civilisation. In the 5th century BC, Odessos was ruled by Thracians. In 72 BC, it was captured by the Romans, who built many public baths, the remains of which can be seen today. Varna later became the home of the Slavs and then the Bulgars from the Caspian steppes under King Boris 1, after whom the boulevard behind the villa is named. The Battle of Varna took place in 1444, when a force of 120,000 Ottoman Turks attacked and defeated 30,000 crusaders who were trying to set sail for Constantinople. The Polish King Wladyslaw III was killed when he attempted to take prisoner Sultan Murad II.