150th anniversary of the birth of Arch. Dabkov

On January 21, 2025 the 150th anniversary of the birth of the famous Varna architect Dabko Dabkov.

Born in Tryavna in 1875, he graduated in architecture at the Technical University in Munich, Germany in 1899, after which he returned to Bulgaria. Varna is the city where he spent almost his entire life. Dedicated to his profession, the architect created the plans of more than 300 buildings.

Elements of different architectural styles and trends can be noticed in his work – secession, eclectic neoclassicism, art deco, modernism. Among the emblematic buildings designed by the architect are the Aquarium, the “London” and “Musalla” grand hotels, the Naval Headquarters Building, the Turkish Bath, the Sofia Bank and many others.

Arch. Dabkov are actively involved in public life. He participated in a number of charitable initiatives.

In the period 1912-1918 arch. Dabkov was at the front during the two Balkan wars and the First World War. He reached the rank of captain and was awarded a number of orders and military awards. He was a respected member of Varna society.

When the communist regime was established in Bulgaria in 1944, arch. Dabkov falls under the moral and physical blows of the new government. Embittered by this fact, he died on April 8, 1945.

After the democratic changes in 1989, it became possible again to popularize the name of the architect. Today in Varna there is a street named after him and a monument in the historical center of the city.

• Monument to Dabko Dabkov

• Christian Oblakov , author of the life and times of Dabko Dabkov