Have you ever wondered what it would mean if the Architectural and Park Complex “The Palace” and the University Botanical Garden in Balchik became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List? This idea no longer sounds like a distant dream, but rather a possible next step in the history of this emblematic place on Bulgaria’s cultural map.
Today, The Palace had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Elitsa Bozhkova from the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with the Ethnographic Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Her one-year research on the topic has culminated in an academic publication in the bulletin “Bulgarian Heritage” – Scientific Annals, focusing on the proposal to nominate the two sites as a cultural landscape for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The in-depth study covers the identification of the nominated property, its description, and the specific characteristics required for inscription — including criteria, comparative analysis, and a proposal for its outstanding universal value. Since Bulgaria currently has no inscriptions in this category, moving forward with such a nomination would represent both a significant challenge and an important opportunity.
Dr. Bozhkova holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Valencia (Spain) and a Master’s degree in World Heritage Studies from the Brandenburg University of Technology (Germany).
The conversation with her opened new perspectives and pointed toward a promising future. With joint efforts — bringing together local authorities and the residents of Balchik — this initiative could lead to something truly meaningful: a more visible and lasting presence of Bulgaria within the global cultural and historical heritage recognized by UNESCO.
