There are a surprising number of lighthouses dotted around the Black Sea coast, and although not as well known as it’s southern neighbor, the city of Varna also features a few very nice ones. The Evksinograd Pier Light is definitely one of them!
This lighthouse, like it’s Bulgarian brothers and sisters, might not look all that impressive at first glance. It is not as large as some of the well known lighthouses in this world, nor is it in a very popular location. But when you get the right light, you can see what a proud lighthouse this really is.
Build in 1923, the lighthouse is still in use today, and in 1947 the previously white light was turned red to be distinguishable from the lights of the surrounding buildings.
It overlooks one of the most beautiful, albeit underused, beaches in Varna. Until quite recently this beach was only available to government officials, as it is part of the Evksinograd Palace complex, but since a few years it is also open to tourists (for a rather hefty price). The best place to view it from is Trakata Beach.
Lighthouses around this part of the Black Sea never had to be very large, as this part of the Bulgarian coast doesn’t really experience the extreme weather some other places get to endure. The ancient Greeks even referred to the Black Sea as the hospitable sea. This is part of the reason Black Sea tourism has been gaining in popularity.
Bulgaria is known for many things, but not for it’s lighthouses, and I think this is not altogether deserved. Bulgaria has a proud and longstanding relationship with the their Black Sea, and their lighthouses are a small but not unimportant part of this. The Black Sea coast has some iconic lighthouses and I feel a trip down (or up) the coast would not be complete without a visit to this one!
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Camera: Olympus PEN E-PL7
Lens: M.Zuiko ED 40‑150MM F4‑5.6 R
Shot at: 120mm | F/18 | ISO200 | 8 sec