"Historical Park" comes to an end: Ivelin Mihaylov admits disappointment and takes responsibility for a "dream, not a reality"

The founder of "Historical Park" near Varna, Ivelin Mihaylov, announced that he is putting an end to the large-scale project, regarded for years as one of the largest cultural and historical complexes in Bulgaria. The decision comes after a series of shocks surrounding the park's operations and frank admissions from its creator that his expectations of society and the institutions were not met.

In a post on the official park page, Mihaylov shares his deep disappointment with the turn of events. "I believed that the Historical Park would be unifying for Bulgarians, but they rejected it themselves. I believed that politicians cared about the state, but they simply didn't know how or what to do. I believed that they would never reach for an object that is significant above all for the state and the nation. I believed that people needed it," he writes, describing how his dream of a unifying place turned into a personal "historical park hell".

In another post, this time from his personal profile, Mihaylov states that he will not continue to invest time and effort in a direction that, in his view, is not truly desired by society. "Years ago, I believed that Bulgarians needed something to unite them and give them a reason to be proud of their lineage. Now I know that a very small portion actually needs this. I will not put effort into a direction that is not desired. I take full responsibility for leading people in the direction of a dream, not a reality," he points out, accepting personal blame for the path in which he led investors and followers.

The fate of the "Historical Park" project was called into serious question as early as November of last year, when the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office conducted a large-scale operation against its activities. According to the prosecution, a group of individuals participated in an organized criminal group from the beginning of January 2013 to November 26, 2025, on the territory of Sofia, Varna, and other settlements in the country. The group was established for a mercenary purpose. A joint specialized operation with the anti-corruption authority was carried out regarding the case.

"Historical Park" is located in the village of Neofit Rilski, Vetrino municipality, about 30 kilometers from Varna. The project began implementation in the second half of the previous decade and officially opened its doors on June 22, 2019. The complex was conceived as a large-scale historical attraction, built on over 130 decares, with reconstructions of ancient settlements, fortresses, and objects from different eras of Bulgarian history.

The goal of the park was to combine education and tourism, to offer an alternative reading of the national past, and to create a space in which Bulgarians could experience "living history". Instead, after years of development, the project is ending under the sign of disappointment, judicial investigations, and its creator's sense that the initial idealism has collided with reality – turning the "Historical Park" from a dream into a "historical park hell" for many, including Mihaylov himself.