Evksinograd Palace

The royal palace in Evksinograd is located 8 km away from Varna, near the Black sea coast. Its construction began in 1882 and was completed in 1885. Back then, the palace served as a summer residence of prince Alexander I Batenberg, therefore it was called Sandrovo (from the name of prince Alexander – Sandro). Later on, the Bulgarian state bought it back and gave it as a present to king Ferdinand, who turned it into the marvelous place it still is. The current name of the palace – Evksinograd (which comes from the Greek name of the Black Sea - Euxenos pontos) was given to it by princess Maria Louisa in 1893. The building of the famous Evksinograd park commenced in 1890. Some 300 species of different plants, brought to Bulgaria from the Mediterranean region, Asia and South America and selected by Ferdinand himself, could be seen in it. Some of the other landmarks in the residency are the king’s stable “Shtala”, as fell as the gable, which is a part of the roof of the French 18th century palace of St Cloud and was transported here in 1890 in parts. Another interesting thing that could be seen in the residency is the sun watch, which Ferdinand received as a present from the English queen Victoria. Nowadays, Evksinograd is a government residence.