Tsar Boris Street in Varna is named for King Boris I, ruler of the first Bulgarian Kingdom from 852-889. His conversion to Christianity in 864 led to the Christianization of the Bulgarian people.
In the earlier picture we see that King Boris I Street was already a major thoroughfare in the early twentieth century. It was at that time home to the public library, several hotels, and a shop called “the Courier,” once the largest newsagent in the city. The famous “Bee” boza shop is in the foreground on the left.
For many years this was the traditional place where locals went out for an afternoon stroll.
Hotel Musala, seen here on the right, opened in 1928. It was originally a four story building, but was enlarged because another hotelier built a taller building next door. The owner added two more stories to prevent being outdone.
Today King Boris I Street is part of the pedestrian zone in downtown Varna. The hotel is now called the Grand Hotel London with its entrance on Musala Street. The old Hotel Musala building stands proudly on the corner of Musala and King Boris I. Across the street, the Happy Bar and Grill occupies the spot of the former bozadjiya.
Both pictures were taken facing east from the top of Independence Square, now completely pedestrianized.
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