Sea Garden (Morska Gradina)

Here is the professional English translation: If you ask the people of Burgas which is the most romantic spot in the city, most of them will give you the same answer — the Sea Garden. The Sea Garden is not simply a park by the sea; it is the heart of the city, a muse and source of inspiration for generations of artists, poets and musicians, and the setting of thousands of love stories. The Sea Garden was laid out in the distant year of 1910 by the gardener Georgi Duhtev, who transformed the bare, windswept expanse between the city and the sea into one of the most beautiful parks in Bulgaria. Thanks to his passion for exotic flora, the garden still boasts hundreds of plant species from every continent, lending it an exotic character, and the old section of the Sea Garden has been declared a monument of landscape art. The park covers an area of 600 decares and stretches for more than 5 kilometres — you will need several hours if you wish to explore it in its entirety. If you begin your stroll along Bogoridi Street, the first thing to captivate you upon entering the park will be the breathtaking view of the sea, the bridge and the harbour, revealed from the terrace that all Burgas locals know as the "parapet" or "balustrade." If it could speak, the terrace would tell you of the thousands of kisses shared by lovers, of countless dreamy gazes cast upon the romantic sea, of the bright laughter of children flying colourful kites in the playful breeze, of the elderly couple who for years have ended their daily walk here — and of all the love that the Sea Garden has gathered, only to send it out towards the sea, returning before long on the ocean breeze and the salty spray upon the sand. Enchanted by the beautiful view, your walk will take you past the colourful, lively fountains that tell the story of the city through their flowing streams, past the Sea Casino — now transformed into a cultural centre and a beloved leisure destination — and past the "Snail" Open-Air Stage, where young and old gather every evening to enjoy live music or simply rest outdoors, exchanging the latest local news. As well as stirring your emotions, the Sea Garden will introduce you to the heroes of the city — to all the local and foreign figures of distinction whose sculptures and busts naturally complement the character of this coastal park. Here you will find the Summer Theatre, which buzzes with life throughout the entire summer season, drawing thousands of visitors and residents alike. A little further along the tree-lined paths, amid the greenery and the stalls selling sweet boiled corn and ice cream, nestle the domes of the Flora pavilion, renowned for its annual international flower exhibition featuring blooms from around the world. Pleasantly tired but emotionally invigorated, you will find yourself longing for something delicious to eat. Right on cue, the coastal promenade will open before you, lined with small and larger restaurants nestled side by side, offering every imaginable delicacy prepared to old Burgas recipes. Beyond the leisurely stroll, the many resting spots, the open-air fitness area and the numerous welcoming venues, the Sea Garden will also offer a wealth of entertainment that draws audiences from around the world each year — among them the popular song competition "Burgas and the Sea," the International Folklore Festival, and many more. Emotion, sea, love, tranquillity, freshness — everyone who has ever been touched by the Sea Garden finds exactly what they need, along with the certainty that one day they will return once more — to the sea breeze, the cries of the gulls, and the freshness of the fountains that sing of love.