Sea Casino
The iconic white building at the entrance to the Sea Garden — now a cultural centre.
- Address
- Seaside Park (Sea Garden), Burgas
- Phone
- 056 961 867
- kazinobs@gmail.com
Set in a key spot in the beautiful Sea Garden, the Casino offers not just a rich cultural programme but also breathtaking panoramic views over the entire Bay of Burgas and the Pier. It is the perfect place for a walk, a rest and inspiration for any visitor.
Photo: Mister No / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
History and beginnings
The idea for this iconic building was born in 1936 on the initiative of the then-mayor Atanas Sirekov. An architectural competition was announced and won by the talented architect Viktoria Angelova-Vinarova. The building was completed and ceremonially opened in 1938 — an event so significant for its time that ministers and many high-ranking guests arrived from Sofia by special train. With its striking ship-like architecture, the Casino quickly became a magnet for the elite and a favourite place for entertainment.
Photo: Kazinobs / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Revival and modern look
After a period of neglect in the late 1990s, in 2011 the building underwent a large-scale reconstruction by Burgas Municipality. The renovation preserved the romantic spirit and original volume of the building while turning it into a modern Cultural Centre. This successful project won the Casino the prestigious "Building of the Year 2011" award.
What to expect today?
Today the Sea Casino is the beating cultural heart of Burgas. Its modern halls, bearing the names of great Burgas residents such as Georgi Baev, Petya Dubarova and Hristo Fotev, host exhibitions, concerts, literary readings and creative workshops year-round. The open terraces, fitted with binoculars, are the ideal spot for panoramic photos of the sea. Close by lies the open-air stage "Ohlyuva" ("the Snail"), where lively festival life thrives in summer.
The “Sea Casino” is a multifunctional cultural space designed for:
Children's and youth activities: creative workshops, schools of photography, fine and applied arts, web design, theatre, concerts, open-air dancing.
Student events and activities: the partners of the “Sea Casino” Cultural Centre are the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the National Art Gallery, Sofia, Burgas Free University and Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University, Burgas.
Entertainment and activities for adults: creative workshops, themed evenings, literary readings and premieres, film screenings, workshops for people with disabilities.
Showcasing cultural and scientific circles: exhibitions of traditional art, performances and modern art, creative projects, presentations, guest exhibitions of museums and private collections, “open doors of science”.