All tours of Balchik inevitably include a visit to the Quiet Nook Palace and its magnificent park sprawling on an area of 35 hectares. Over 3 000 plants grow here and this is a proof that the climate in this part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is suitable not only for the flora of Mediterranean plants but also for rare plant species from all corners of the earth. Among the masterpieces of the art of park design is the Rose Garden and the Garden of Cactuses which is the second largest collection of cactuses in Europe. It numbers over 250 different species.

The former summer residence of the Romanian Queen Maria has a striking effect on the visitor for its unique romantic design and atmosphere. The Italian architects Americo and Augostino created a genuine legend matching the beauty of nature with the materialised visions of dreaming poets. Thus, in 1926 they created one of the unique architectural ensembles along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The park of the palace was designed as a replica of the famous labyrinth of the island of Crete.The Chapel is a copy of a Cretan shrine and an elegant detail that complements the architectural ensemble. Its wall paintings depict the queen and her daughter, as well as saints following the strict Eastern Orthodox traditions.

The alleys in the park will lead you to the world’s only palace with a minaret and next to it - in a complete harmony - a dome of a Christian church, a marble throne brought over from Florence, the Bridge of Sighs, large earthen jars from Morocco, a deep draw well in a Mediterranean style, and a pool, combining the Roman with the Moorish style in decorative art.
A legend says that Queen Maria was so strongly attracted to this place that she wished to remain here even after her death. When she died, her heart was placed in a special container and put in one of the clocks in the park, guarded round the clock.