When she visited Balchik in 1921, Queen Marie of Romania was delighted by the beauty of the area and decided to return and stay. In 1924, the construction of a palace complex for the queen began. The project was by Italian architects and followed Marie's requirement that the building must not disturb the magnificence of the picturesque seashore, which had charmed her at first sight.

First, the queen's residence was built, and by 1936 an Orthodox chapel, several villas, a traditional Bulgarian Revival house, Moorish-style courtyards and fountains with images of mythological heroes were also built. The palace complex combines architectural elements of different styles - Old Bulgarian, Byzantine, Gothic, Moorish, Oriental, Transylvanian. The unique gardens of the Palace are also characterised by different cultures and styles.

These days, the architectural and park complex in Balchik is a must-see for all guests of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. In the period June 30 to July 3, 2025, the Palace also offers an exclusive experience for music lovers - the first chamber music festival on the northern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast with four evenings in the unique atmosphere of the complex.

Young and extremely talented cellist from Romania Ştefan Cazacu (a laureate of prestigious competitions, who has visited this country more than once) and renowned Bulgarian pianist Margarita Ilieva open the festival program with "Romance for Cello and Piano" on June 30. On July 1, the Bulgarian Art&Shock String Quartet presents a program that intertwines ethno motifs with classical works. The next evening provokes with an international project that combines the spontaneity of jazz with the structure of classical music. The participants are flutist Ketija Karahona, clarinetist Michael Moore, bass clarinetist Federico Calcagno and Bulgarian saxophonist Hristo Goleminov.

The final cinema evening on July 3 is entitled "Sherlock Jr.” The masterpiece of silent cinema from 1924 by Buster Keaton, comes to life with the music of American composer Stephen Prutsman, performed by Lyubomir Denev Jr. - piano and Art&Shock String Quartet. The artistic director of the new chamber music festival "In the Palace" - Graziella Panayotova-Georgieva, invites all fans of classical music and jazz to Balchik, as she cannot imagine a more suitable place for music celebrations, with its legendary history and romantic atmosphere.

Editor: Tsvetana Toncheva

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: BTA, vdvoreca.com, facebook.com/dvoreca, pronewsdobrich.bg