Beloslav: Yatata, Glass Museum and Slava

Beloslav can be explored through two very different themes: birdlife and protected landscapes on the one hand, and glass and underwater technology on the other. The protected site of Yatata lies 2 km east of the centre of Beloslav. The municipality of Obshtina Beloslav extends along both sides of the navigable canal connecting Lake Varna with Lake Beloslav.

Yatata and its birdlife

Yatata encompasses freshwater and saltwater wetlands, grass and shrub vegetation, small rocky ridges and an abandoned sand quarry. The protected site is associated with birdwatching and ecotourism. According to the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, 208 bird species have been recorded there. 178 rare or endangered species breed in Yatata, including 51 species listed in Bulgaria’s Red Data Book.

During migration, observed species include the pygmy cormorant, Dalmatian pelican, ferruginous duck, glossy ibis and spoonbill. These migratory birds add to the picture of an area that encompasses a variety of vegetation and terrain as well as wetlands.

Protected landscapes and archaeological sites

The Beloslav-West group of Pobiti Kamani is part of a protected area comprising 14 groups and covering a total of 253.3 hectares. The protected area is part of the Natura 2000 network and conserves inland sand habitats with characteristic flora, vegetation and fauna. Thus, Yatata focuses on wetlands and birdwatching, while Pobiti Kamani is known for its sand habitats and the life they support.

The only evidence in Bulgaria of human life during the Mesolithic has been found in the Pobiti Kamani area. The archaeological sites in the surrounding area also include Petrich Kale: excavations there uncovered the foundations of a 14th-century church and part of a necropolis.

Glass history and the Slava submarine

The Beloslav Glass Museum is located on the shore of Lake Beloslav, on the site of the first Bulgarian glass factory, which opened in 1893. The museum aims to preserve and develop traditional local glassmaking methods alongside modern production technology. Visitors can learn about the production process, including hand-blown glassmaking, a semi-automatic bottle-making machine and a robot that handles glass from the furnace.

Visitors can enter a glass furnace adapted for tours, decorate a prepared piece of glass and take it home as a souvenir. It is also possible to take part in blowing your own glass object. As hands-on activities may vary depending on operations, check in advance which activities will be available during your visit.

The Slava submarine is a museum in Beloslav, next to the Glass Museum and the municipal ferry terminal. The museum preserves much of the military equipment, machinery, engines, communication systems and periscope. It also offers insight into life and work underwater—a different technological focus from glass production.

Planning your journey and activities

Options for getting to the Glass Museum include an intercity bus, bus line 14 between Varna and Devnya, or a train to Beloslav station; from there, take the ferry for pedestrians and cars. The ferry is also required to reach the Slava Museum; the intercity bus, line 14 and train are also possible travel options. Check the timetables before travelling, as transport services and schedules may change.

Above Razdelna, the rocky climbing routes in Obshtina Beloslav range from options for beginners to routes for advanced climbers. The secured Wolf Trail is considered an extreme route for equipped groups. Check route conditions locally before setting out.

More places to explore in Varna Province

In the wider destination of Varna Province, the Varna Aquarium offers insights into the flora and fauna of the Black Sea, as well as its hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics. The Varna Archaeological Museum displays the treasure from the Chalcolithic necropolis, considered the oldest technologically processed gold in the world.

Discover more destinations: Strashimirovo, Dalgopol, Varna, Avren, Dolni Chiflik, Devnya, Aksakovo, Provadia.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Varna Province.