In antiquity, Nimfeum was the temple of the nymphs, deities of water and springs.
If I mentioned antiquity it means there will be some history in today's story.
My recent trip to Bulgaria, to the small coastal town of Balchik, is so vivid in my memory that I am quick to share it with those interested in travel. Because there is so much to relate, I had to break the whole trip into a few shorter episodes, one has already been published with this title, The Queen's Heart.
Today it's time to present a small water temple, as I said in the title, Nimfeum!
Balchik is a city on the Black Sea, a small town with two big tourist attractions, the sea and the castle of the former queen of Romania, Maria.
The sea and the coastline formed by cliffs and white hills are very beautiful to look at, to walk and to relax. Less so for the beach and sea bathing. I mean perfect for what my wife and I want.
Above all, Queen Mary's Castle and its gardens are the main attraction. Especially for Romanian tourists, perhaps the most numerous tourists in this place, due also to the historical interest related to the former Kingdom of Romania and the summer residence of the Queen.
I, one of the tens of thousands of tourists in Romania, feel at home here. I've visited the Castle and the gardens countless times, I've taken hundreds of photos that beg to be shown...
A corner of the Queen's garden, where the "swimming pool" is located. Just kidding, it wasn't a swimming pool, just a cool place to rest on hot summer days and where the water of four springs was captured in a pool.
The small plateau surrounded by columns, a Roman design I believe considering the marble bench, definitely, of Roman origin. A perfect place for conversation and admiring the sea that can be seen a few dozen meters beyond the garden fence.
A place almost unchanged for a hundred years, even if a world war, the transition from the Romanian to the Bulgarian administration, the abolition of the monarchy, the takeover of this complex, castle, and gardens, by the communist regime, have passed over it. Some photos of the Queen in Nimfeum. One can easily notice the modernity and romanticism of the Queen.
This place was arranged for the Queen, of course, according to her wishes and plans. Located on the alley leading from the Castle to the Stella Maris Chapel. From here looking towards the Castle...
...and from here to Stella Maris Chapel.
The abundant Mediterranean vegetation covering the columns contributes greatly to both beauty and coolness.
The Water Temple is one of the most romantic places in the Castle gardens, overlooking the rose garden, the garden called the Blue Veil.
The seaside rose garden is another place sought after and admired by tourists. This garden was laid out in the 1930s on the lowest terrace. At that time the sea reached up to the garden fence.
Queen Mary of Romania managed to build a wonderful place, of course, made for personal needs but which remains a delight for us today.
We continued our walk, after admiring hundreds of roses, which was quite time-consuming. In fact, it was very hard to tear ourselves away from the garden. We followed the direction to the castle. We only stopped to admire the Queen's chair, a marble chair brought from Italy and said to have been in the Senate during the Roman Empire.
Many tourists sit in the marble armchair to see how comfortable it is or to be photographed. I think it's an outrage and that respect for the past should be maintained. Of course, opinions differ on this.
At the end of the alley, you can see Queen Mary's Castle. It is the most visited sight in the complex. I have seen it many times, so I could notice the different changes in its layout. I think the latest changes are not very inspired but I will visit it again because it has become a must.
I have a strange feeling when I enter this castle. I think that the Queen is still there and that I shouldn't disturb her. It upsets me when I see a lot of visitors who are totally insensitive to the history and the Queen's story, visitors who do not notice and are not impressed by the Queen's love for this house and this special place by the sea.
About the Castle in a future post.
Balchik is located in Bulgaria, in the northeast, on the Black Sea. The nearest big city is Varna, 40 km away. Varna can be reached by car, bus, boat, or plane and then by bus or taxi to Balchik.
