Petko Zadgorski Art Gallery

The Petko Zadgorski Art Gallery opened on 7 April 1946, and its initial collection comprised 58 works by Bulgarian artists.

For the first two decades of its existence, the institution was housed in the Exchange Hall of the Chamber of Commerce. In September 1966 it moved into the building of the former synagogue — one of the city's architectural landmarks, erected in 1909 to a design by the Italian architect Ricardo Toscani.

The gallery was named in honour of the Burgas-born painter and sculptor Petko Zadgorski (1902–1974), who, as its first chairman, headed the Society of Burgas Artists founded in the 1960s. The gallery was initially led by the painter Todor Atanasov, who directed it from 1965 to 1973. He was succeeded as director, in turn, by the painter Nenko Tokmakchiev, the restorer Todor Evgeniev, the art historian Penka Sedlarska (1996–2012) and, from 2012, the painter Georgi Dinev.

The exhibition occupies three floors, and the gallery's complete collection encompasses approximately 2,000 works in the fields of painting, sculpture and graphic art. Among the artists whose works are kept in the Burgas collection are Ivan Mrkvichka, Bencho Obreshkov, Tseno Todorov, Nikola Marinov, Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, Vladimir Dimitrov-Maystora, Dimitar Gyudzhenov, Iliya Petrov, Stoyan Venev, Mara Tsoncheva, Asen Vasilev, Dechko Uzunov, Vasil Stoilov, Svetlin Rusev, Vladimir Goev, Georgi Bozhilov, Dimitar Kirov, Atanas Yaranov, Encho Pironkov and Yoan Leviev.

The work of Burgas masters from the early 20th century to the present day is represented through names such as Gencho Mitev, Todor Karasimeonov, Yani Hristopulis, Pavel Valkov, Panayot Panayotov, Georgi Baev, Stoyan Tsanev, Violeta Maslarova, Damyan Zaberski, Nenko Tokmakchiev, Kiril Simeonov, Rayna Racheva, Bozhidar Kalachev, Zhivko Ivanov, Ivan Bahchevanov, Krasimir Zinin, Svetozar Benchev and others. The canvases on marine themes have a particularly strong presence.

In addition, the Petko Zadgorski Gallery also preserves valuable examples of icon painting from the Strandzha region, produced between the 15th and the 20th century. The collection includes works by Zahari Zograf, Dimitar Zograf, Yoan Zograf from Ahtopol, Sokrat Georgiev from Sozopol, Todor Zograf from Chios, Nikola Odrinchanin and Atanasiy Galatishki.

Petko Zadgorski (1902–1974)

Petko Ivanov Zadgorski is one of the most renowned Burgas painters and sculptors.

He was born on 18 June 1902 in the town of Sliven. In 1928 he graduated in painting from the Academy of Arts, in the class of Professor Dimitar Gyudzhenov. His works are predominantly in the genres of landscape and figural composition. Between 1930 and 1962 Petko Zadgorski worked as a drawing teacher in Burgas, and among his pupils were artists such as Georgi Baev and Todor Atanasov.

In 1951 Zadgorski created a monument to the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. The life-size bronze sculpture, set on a granite pedestal, was ceremonially unveiled in the Burgas Sea Garden on 22 February 1952. Today this undisputed masterpiece of sculptural art is one of the symbols of the Sea Garden and the city of Burgas.

Petko Zadgorski was the first chairman of the Society of Burgas Artists, founded in the 1960s. In 1968 the Burgas artist was awarded the Order of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, 2nd class. Today the Burgas Art Gallery bears his name.

Ticket and service prices

• Admission ticket for an individual visit (VAT included) — €1.50
• Admission ticket for children over 7, people with disabilities, pupils, students and pensioners (VAT included) — €1.00
• Children under 7 — free
• Lecture/guided talk (VAT included) — €7.50
• Open day — free admission: Thursday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Hall rental for one day — €51.00
• Use of VR glasses — €2.50