Monument to Tsar Kaloyan, Varna

Overview

The idea of erecting a monument to Tsar Kaloyan belonged to Admiral Hristo Kontrov. Preparations for the construction and erection of the monument began in 2007. The authors of the overall appearance of the monument are the sculptors Boris Borisov, Konstantin Konstantinov and arch. Milen Marinov. The huge brass statue of the horseman was cast in Sofia and transported to Varna. The entire amount of metal was donated by the Ministry of Defense in the form of melted cartridge cases. The equestrian statue of Tsar Kaloyan is a classic, representing the triumph of the Bulgarian ruler over the Byzantine garrison defending Varna. The figure is oriented to the west and represents the king in battle armor, raising his sword with his right hand. The total height of the pedestal and the statue is 8 meters. On the four walls of the marble base there is a decoration of bronze reliefs depicting several of the significant moments in the reign of Tsar Kaloyan. In chronological order is depicted the conquest of Varna by Bulgarian troops in 1201 and the victory of the Bulgarians over the Crusaders near Edirne in 1205, as well as the capture of the Latin Emperor Baldwin of Flanders, who was taken prisoner in Tarnovgrad. The scene of Kaloyan's coronation by the representatives of Pope Innocent III is also presented. This is the only Bulgarian ruler crowned king. The monument was unveiled in December 2008 with a solemn water dedication, celebrated by Metropolitan Cyril of Varna and Veliko Preslav (1954-2013) in the presence of many citizens, foreign diplomats and politicians.