The "Quiet Nest" in Balchik

In 1921 she ordered that her summer residence, with the charming name “Quiet Nest”, be built in this very place.

Balchik has an ancient and glorious history, but by the beginning of the 20th century it had indeed become a quiet and cosy provincial town with magnificent scenery. A beautiful park was laid out on a steep hill right by the sea, and the palace buildings were erected there.

Queen Marie of Edinburgh was a striking and unconventional personality. She practised a non-traditional religion and was, for her time, an educated woman of refined taste. The estate reflected her essence:

an ornate combination of various architectural styles, an imitation of the Cretan labyrinth in the layout of the park — the residence turned out cosy, mysterious and interesting. After Balchik was returned to Bulgaria, a Botanical Garden was laid out on the grounds of the park, which attracts many visitors with its rare plant species and sumptuous flower beds.

The interior of the palace’s main building is striking in its modesty, even asceticism. There is no velvet, no gilding, no crystal here – only simple furniture and the most essential furnishings. And on the seashore there still stands a stone throne where the queen liked to sit and greet the sunrise. Today anyone can sit on the royal throne.

Useful information:

• The queen’s palace is under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, while the park belongs to Sofia University. To visit the palace you need 2 tickets – one gives the right to enter the park grounds, the other to visit the palace itself.
• Tickets to the palace cost 5 leva for adults and 1 lev for children.
• Admission to the garden costs 8 leva for adult visitors and 3 leva for children over 7.
• The complex is open all year round, although in winter a walk through the botanical garden is hardly likely to be as interesting as in summer.
• On the grounds of the park complex there are wine cellars where you can buy unique drinks. Tastings are also held there.
• The terrain in the botanical garden is hilly, so it is better to wear comfortable shoes.

The “Chervenata Stena” Reserve in the Rhodopes

The Railway Transport Museum in Ruse

To the list of all articles

To the list of Useful articles