Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv, with a population of 351,552 (2006). Commonly referred to as the sea capital or (the summer capital) of Bulgaria. Varna is called the sea capital of Bulgaria, because it is the biggest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Varna is among Europe's oldest cities. Odessos, an ancient Greek (of the city of Miletus) trading colony was founded about 570 BC. Long before the Thracians populated the area (by 1200 BC), prehistoric settlements best known for the eneolithic necropolis, site of the Varna culture and the alleged world's oldest gold treasure existed within the modern city limits, notably along Lake Varna shores.
Varna is a major tourist destination, seaport, as well as the centre of Varna Province. Tourism is of foremost importance for Varna and the region, attracting millions of international visitors each year. Varna is also Bulgaria's only international cruise destination and a major international convention and spa centre. Varna was also the base of the Bulgarian Navy. Currently, there is a Naval Museum with a museum ship torpedo boat Drazki. The archaeological museum contains some of the finds from the so-called "Gold of Varna", a cache of Chalcolithic grave-goods which are the oldest gold treasure in the world.
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