Natural History Museum, Varna

The Natural History and Science Museum is a significant institution dedicated to studying and showcasing the diverse organismal life of the Black Sea and the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The museum features an extensive collection of 1,036 exhibits spread across six exhibition halls. One of the highlights is the botanical section, which includes a wide array of algae, longose vegetation, and rare endemic species unique to the Balkan Peninsula and Bulgaria. Visitors can explore displays of various animal species, including rare and globally endangered creatures such as the Red-necked Goose, Great Bustard, and Steppen Ferret. Notable exhibits also include specimens of famous animals from the Varna Zoo, like the bear Marta and the tiger Gero.

The museum's dioramas offer an engaging glimpse into the natural environments of the region, showcasing seabed, forest, and lake ecosystems. These displays provide a vivid depiction of the diverse habitats and the organisms that thrive within them. The "Geology and Paleontology" section is particularly captivating, featuring impressive fossils such as the teeth and jaws of giant mammals like the mammoth, mastodon, and rhinoceros.

Among the notable paleontological finds is the lower jaw of the prehistoric elephant Deinotherium giganteum, discovered near Aksakovo, which represents the largest land mammal ever to exist. Additionally, the museum houses the first and only European discovery of teeth from the prehistoric elephant genus Protanancus, previously known only from Asia and Africa.

The museum also delves into geological phenomena, including an explanation of the latest hypothesis regarding the origin of the natural wonder, Pobiti Kamani. This aspect of the museum provides visitors with insights into the region's geological history and the unique natural formations that contribute to Bulgaria's diverse landscape.