Who founded Bulgaria. Is Bulgaria an unrecognized great civilization? View of Bulgarian historians

From Bulgarian bu"lgar (Bulgarian person). In English, "Bulgar" is usually used only for Central Asia ancestors of modern Bulgarians.

Identification

The name "Bulgar", or "Bulgarian", most likely comes from a Turkish verb meaning "to mix". Ethnic Bulgarians descend from the once merged Bulgars (or proto-Bulgars), Turkic peoples Central Asia, and Slavs, inhabitants Central Europe.

This merger began in the 7th century AD in what is now northeastern Bulgaria. In addition to ethnic Bulgarians, there are also several ethnic minorities living here, the most numerous of which are Turks and Roma, as well as a small number of Armenians, Jews and others. The dominant national culture is that of the ethnic Bulgarians, and there is little sense of a common national culture among the three main ethnic groups.

Turks generally tend not to identify with Bulgarians, while Gypsies, on the contrary, often identify with them. Both groups are generally considered to be marginalized among ethnic Bulgarians, in contrast to more assimilated national minorities such as Jews and Armenians.

However, all residents take part in one way or another national economy And state structure. The division is bureaucratic - political culture exists, it is shaped by and shapes the cultural practices of its constituent ethnic groups.

The emergence of a national

In the fifth century AD, the Slavs began to populate the Thracian-occupied eastern plains of the Danube. In the seventh century, they, together with the Bulgars, invaded these domains to gain control of a significant territory, which they defended against the Byzantine Empire in 681. As a result, they are recognized as the first Bulgarian state.

Slavic and Bulgar elements realized that they were united into one ethno-cultural group, particularly after the official adoption of Christianity (Greek style) in 846, which unified them around one common religion. Along with Christianization, literacy soon began to spread, and the development of Slavic writing, which was created by the Bulgaro-Macedonian saints Cyril and Methodius, began. The local Slavic language became the language of liturgies and government, reducing the ecclesiastical and cultural influence of Byzantium.

In the tenth century it was ranked among the three most powerful and powerful empires in Europe. The Ottomans invaded Bulgaria in the 14th century and ruled the country for 500 years. In the last century of the Ottoman yoke, the transition of Bulgarian culture to the stage of “National Revival” took place. Bulgarian schools and cultural centers were created precisely at this time.

In 1870, the Bulgarian Church gained independence from Greek rule. The Outside World took serious notice of the Ottoman government's bloody repression of the Bulgarians in April 1876, which led to an uprising in the Bulgarian state.

Hopes for the restoration of a large and strong Bulgaria were dashed after the Treaty of Berlin in 1878, which transferred large numbers of ethnic Bulgarians to the jurisdiction of neighboring states. This division of Bulgaria became the cause of many conflicts in the Balkans. After the Second World War (1939 - 1945), a socialist government was created under the supervision of the USSR. The overthrow of Communist leader Teodor Zhivkov on November 10, 1989 accelerated the reform process and led to the destruction of socialism in 1990 and the creation of more democratic forms of government.

National identity

Bulgarian national identity is based on the understanding that the Bulgarian nation (people) was formed and acquired some ethnic differences in the Middle Ages (as a result of the mixing of Slavs, Bulgars and other peoples). This identity persisted throughout the Ottoman rule and formed the basis for an independent state.

The history of the struggle to re-establish the Bulgarian state has provided key symbols of national identity.

Another prerequisite is that ethnic and territorial boundaries must, in one way or another, intersect. This sometimes led to territorial conflicts with neighboring states.

Moreover, this has a dual impact on the status and conditions of national minorities, since they do not have the same ethnic and historical ties to the Bulgarian state and its lands.

Ethnic relations in Bulgaria

Officially maintains friendly relations with neighboring countries. Relations with Macedonia, however, are complicated, as many Bulgarians see Macedonia historical territory Bulgaria.

The liberation of Macedonia is a central element in the 19th century for the Bulgarian liberation movement and for early 20th century nationalism. Ottoman Macedonia was divided between Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia in 1913. The Bulgarians claim the opposite: the majority of Macedonians were looking for an independent Macedonian state, which was realized only after the Second World War in Yugoslav Macedonia.

It quickly recognized the independence of Macedonia from Yugoslavia in 1991, but does not recognize Macedonian culture as independent and autonomous. Since 1997, the Bulgarian government has recognized Macedonians as Bulgarians, and the existence of a Macedonian minority in Bulgaria is generally denied. Official and public concern about the issue of human rights (especially the issue of national self-identification) exists among Bulgarians living in neighboring countries, mainly Serbia and Macedonia. Relations between the various ethnic groups in Bulgaria are somewhat tense, partly as a legacy of brutal assimilation policies under the socialist state, and partly due to ethnic Bulgarians' fear that national minorities could threaten the integrity of the state.

As a rule, the mixture of residents and their relations with members of other ethnic groups are quite friendly, although much depends on personal acquaintance with individuals.

The history of Bulgaria goes back thousands of years and dates back to the distant Neolithic era, when nomadic agricultural tribes moved here from the territory of Asia Minor. In the course of its history, Bulgaria more than once became a coveted trophy of neighboring conquerors and was part of the Thracian Odrysian kingdom, Greek Macedonia, was included in the Roman Empire, and later in Byzantium, and in the 15th century. conquered Ottoman Empire.
Having experienced invasions, wars, conquests, Bulgaria, however, managed to be reborn, acquiring its own nation and gaining cultural and historical self-determination.

Odrysian kingdom
By the 6th century. BC e. the territory of Bulgaria was the outskirts Ancient Greece, located along the Black Sea coast. Over the course of several centuries, on the basis of Indo-European tribes who came from the north, a tribe of Thracians was formed here, from whom Bulgaria received its first name - Thrace (Bulgarian: Trakia). Over time, the Thracians became the main population in this territory and formed their own state - the Odrysian kingdom, which united Bulgaria, Romania, northern Greece and Turkey. The kingdom became the largest urban conglomerate in Europe at that time. The cities founded by the Thracians - Serdika (modern Sofia), Eumolpiada (modern Plovdiv) - have not yet lost their importance. The Thracians were an extremely developed and rich civilization; the tools and household items they created were in many ways ahead of their time (skilled metal blades, exquisite gold jewelry, four-wheeled chariots, etc.). Many mythical creatures passed to the Greek neighbors from the Thracians - the god Dionysus, Princess Europe, the hero Orpheus, etc. But in 341 BC. weakened by colonial wars, the Odrysian kingdom came under the influence of Macedonia, and in 46 AD. became part of the Roman Empire and later, in 365, Byzantium.
First Bulgarian Kingdom
The first Bulgarian kingdom arose in 681 with the arrival of the Asian nomads of the Bulgars on the territory of Thrace, who, under the onslaught of the Khazars, were forced to leave the steppes of Ukraine and southern Russia. The resulting alliance between the local Slavic population and the nomads turned out to be very successful in campaigns against Byzantium and allowed the expansion of the Bulgarian kingdom by the 9th century, also including Macedonia and Albania. The Bulgarian kingdom became the first Slavic state in history, and in 863, the brothers Cyril and Methodius created the Slavic alphabet - the Cyrillic alphabet. The adoption of Christianity by Tsar Boris in 865 made it possible to erase the boundaries between the Slavs and Bulgars and create a single ethnic group - the Bulgarians.
Second Bulgarian Kingdom
From 1018 to 1186, the Bulgarian kingdom again found itself under the rule of Byzantium, and only the uprising of Asen, Peter and Kaloyan in 1187 allowed part of Bulgaria to secede. This is how the Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed, which existed until 1396. Constant raids on the Balkan Peninsula by the Ottoman Empire, which began back in 1352, led to the fall of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, which ceased to exist as an independent state for five long centuries.

Ottoman rule
As a result of the five-hundred-year Ottoman yoke, Bulgaria was completely devastated, the population decreased, and cities were destroyed. Already in the 15th century. all Bulgarian authorities ceased to exist, and the church lost its independence and became subordinate to the Patriarch of Constantinople.
The local Christian population was deprived of all rights and was discriminated against. Thus, Christians were forced to pay more taxes, did not have the right to bear arms, and every fifth son in the family was forced to serve in the Ottoman army. The Bulgarians raised uprisings more than once, wanting to stop the violence and oppression of Christians, but they were all brutally suppressed.

Bulgarian National Revival
In the 17th century the influence of the Ottoman Empire weakens, and the country actually falls into anarchy: power is concentrated in the hands of the Kurdzhali gangs that terrorized the country. At this time, the national movement was revived, interest in the historical self-awareness of the Bulgarian people increased, a literary language was formed, interest in one’s own culture was revived, the first schools and theaters appeared, newspapers began to be published in the Bulgarian language, etc.
Princely semi-independence
Princely rule arose after the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule as a result of Turkey’s defeat in the war with Russia (1877–1878) and the country’s independence in 1878. In honor of this key event in the history of Bulgaria, a majestic temple was erected in the capital Sofia in 1908 Alexander Nevsky, who became business card not only the city, but the entire state.
According to the San Stefano Peace Treaty, Bulgaria was given the vast territory of the Balkan Peninsula, which included Macedonia and northern Greece. However, under pressure from the West, instead of gaining independence, Bulgaria received broad autonomy within the Ottoman Empire and a monarchical form of government led by the German Prince Alexander, the nephew of the Russian Tsar Alexander II. However, Bulgaria managed to unite again, as a result of which the country gained Eastern Rumelia, part of Thrace and access to the Aegean Sea. But in this composition, Bulgaria was able to exist for a short 5 years (1913 -1918); after the defeat in the First World War, the country lost most of its territory.

Third Bulgarian Kingdom
The Third Bulgarian Kingdom covers the period from 1918 to 1946. Despite the agreement on “inviolable peace and sincere and eternal friendship” signed in 1937 with Yugoslavia, during the Second World War Bulgaria chooses Germany as its ally and sends in its troops into the territory of a neighboring country, thereby supporting the German intervention. Tsar Boris's attempt to change course was unsuccessful. After his premature death, his 6-year-old son Simeon II, who subsequently fled to Spain, ascends the throne. In 1944, Soviet troops entered Bulgaria, and already in 1944 - 1945. the Bulgarian army begins to lead fighting against Germany and its allies in the Soviet armed forces. The further political course of Bulgaria was predetermined; in 1944, power passed to the communists under the leadership of Todor Zhivkov. In 1946, as a result of a referendum, the monarchy was abolished, and Bulgaria declared itself a republic headed by a prime minister.

Communist Bulgaria
During the communist regime, Bulgaria achieved high results in the development and modernization of industry, industrialization and collectivization Agriculture, which made it possible not only to provide the country with jobs, the latest technology, various goods and food products, but also to become a major exporter. The main consumer of Bulgarian exports was, of course, the USSR. Thus, industrial and textile goods, agricultural products, various canned goods, tobacco products, alcoholic drinks (cognac, beer) and the first computers were actively supplied to the Soviet republics, and Bulgarian resorts became a popular holiday destination for Soviet citizens. However, in 1989, the wave of perestroika reached Bulgaria, and after the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, the communist system was overthrown, and the permanent 78-year-old leader of the Communist Party, Todor Zhivkov, was placed under arrest and later stood trial on charges of corruption and bribery.

Modern Bulgaria
Modern Bulgaria has set a course towards the West and European integration. Thus, on March 29, 2004, the country joined NATO, and on January 1, 2007, the European Union. Carrying out comprehensive modernization, Bulgaria is becoming more and more attractive for foreign tourists every year, a popular destination for summer and winter holidays. The widespread construction of new hotels, infrastructure development, improving the quality of service and diversification of services have allowed Bulgaria to repeatedly increase the tourist flow.
Today, the country's resorts are modern complexes for a comfortable and eventful holiday - excellent hotel facilities, a variety of excursion routes, entertainment for every taste, alternative forms of tourism and much more. Attractive prices, low compared to other European resorts, make holidays here accessible to a wide range of tourists - from youth groups to families with children, while luxury 5* hotels meet the requirements of the most discerning guests.
Despite the fact that we associate Bulgaria more with beach holiday, the country has amazing opportunities for winter tourism. Excellent ski resorts - Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo - fascinate with their beauty surrounding nature, modern slopes for both amateurs and professionals, excellent opportunities for the youngest fans of alpine skiing, as well as for those who prefer snowboarding to skiing.
And if you don’t feel confident enough yet, experienced instructors are at your service. They are not only in short time They will teach you all the necessary skills and abilities, but will also offer you communication in your native language. No language barrier, common culture and Orthodox traditions make visiting Bulgarian resorts even more enjoyable, come and see for yourself!

The history of the country is divided into several periods significant for the country. Among them we can highlight the National Revival - the era of restoration and establishment of Bulgarian culture, church, etc.

Bulgaria can rightly be called the most welcoming and hospitable of all the countries on the Balkan Peninsula.

Its sunny shores are washed by the Black Sea, and on small area The country is well-placed with deep rivers and high mountain peaks. The climate of Bulgaria varies from continental to Mediterranean, so the nature here is very diverse.

The Thracians lived here a thousand years BC. Then their lands became part of the Roman Empire under the names of Thrace and Moesia.

They later became part of Byzantium. The Great Migration of Peoples, which took place in the 7th century AD, became the reason for the settlement on the Balkan Peninsula large quantities Slavs, who gradually assimilated the local population.

Having one of the best cavalry armies of that time, in 680-681 the Bulgarians were able to defeat the troops of the Byzantine Empire - and thus the birth of the First Bulgarian Kingdom took place.

Under Byzantine and then Ottoman rule

Scientists constantly find evidence of ancient civilizations living on the territory of modern Bulgaria. In all corners of the country, many historical relics have been discovered during excavations of mounds and ancient settlements.

In 863, under Prince Boris, Christianity officially became the state religion, and under Tsar Simeon, an unprecedented cultural flourishing began, when Old Bulgarian writing arose and the foundations for Bulgarian literature were laid. Along with culture, the country's economy also developed.

From 1018, the territory of Bulgaria again came under the rule of Byzantium, but already in 1187, as a result of an uprising led by the brothers Ivan and Peter Aseni, the Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed with its capital in the city of Tarnovo.

And the point of highest state power was reached during the reign of Ivan Asen II (1218-1241), when the entire Balkan Peninsula came under the control of the Bulgarian king.

In 1353, the Turkish invasion of Europe began, the cultural and political weather in the region deteriorated, and barbarian clouds gathered over Bulgaria.

Over the next fifty years, the entire country came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

The Turks ruled Bulgaria for five centuries, during which the state fell into decline, the number of its inhabitants decreased, and many cities were destroyed.

The era of the Bulgarian national revival and its fruits

The Bulgarian city of Preslav became one of the centers of the birth of Slavic and Bulgarian culture. It was here that the famous Cyril and Methodius compiled their Old Church Slavonic alphabet.

As a result of the defeat of Turkey, which Russia inflicted on it during the war of 1877-1878, part of the country was liberated, and in 1908 the state gained complete independence.

Bulgaria was on the side of Germany during both world wars, but since 1944 it has become part of the communist camp. In addition to the capital, among the main cities of the country, Varna, Plovdiv, Burgas, Plevna, Ruse and Shumen stood out noticeably.

The modern Republic of Bulgaria dates back to 1990, when the regime of Todor Zhivkov was defeated.

Thus began the difficult path to the beginning of Bulgarian democracy and the gradual transition to a market economy.

And so, having overcome inflation, unemployment and corruption along the way, in 2004 Bulgaria was admitted to NATO, and in 2007 it became one of the countries of the European Union.

Formation of the Bulgarian state

Bulgarian state, formed in the 7th century. in the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, went through two stages in its development. Initially, in the first half of the 7th century, among the Slavs living south of the Danube, an alliance of seven tribes arose, called the Danube Slavs (Danubii).

Apparently, another tribe of Slavs was associated with them - the Severians (i.e., northerners), who lived north of the Danube, on the borders of Transylvania. The Danube Union of Slavs had to wage a tense struggle with enemies located at two opposite ends of the Balkan Peninsula - with the Avars in the north and with Byzantium in the south.

Southern Slavs in the 6th–8th centuries.

Around the same time, i.e.

That is, in the first half of the 7th century, a new tribe came to the Danube from the Azov region - the Bulgarians, who, judging by their language, were a Turkic tribe close to the Chuvash.

The arrival of the Bulgarians on the Danube, and then directly on the territory of the Balkan Peninsula, had great importance For further development Danube Slavic Union.

(or, according to another assumption, in 681) the Bulgarian Khan Asparukh moved with his retinue and part of the ordinary Bulgarians to the territory of the Balkan Peninsula south of the Danube, concluding special agreements with the princes of the Danube Union, which provided for the allocation of corresponding territories for the Bulgarians and Slavs. Essentially, in the specific situation, the Bulgarians were not so much conquerors as allies of the Danube Slavs in the fight against common enemies - the Avars and Byzantines.

But this union was nevertheless clothed in the form of subordination of the Slavs to the newcomer Bulgarian tribe, which gave the country its name.

Asparuh managed to conclude an agreement beneficial for the Bulgarians and Slavs with the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV, according to which the Byzantine Empire ceded a fairly significant strip of land in the Balkans to the united “barbarians.”

Asparukh became the main prince in the new Bulgarian-Slavic state, to whom the remaining local Slavic princes were subordinate. The Slavic population was obliged to pay tribute to Asparukh and his family Dulo. The capital of the new state was initially the city of Pliska, later it became the city of Preslava.

In the 8th century, under Asparukh's successor, the Bulgarians already interfered in Byzantine internal affairs, receiving new lands south of the Balkan ridge.

During the 8th and 9th centuries. There was an intensive rapprochement between the Slavs and the Bulgarians, who learned agriculture, crafts, Slavic religion and customs, including the Slavic language, from the Slavs. As feudal relations took shape, the local Slavic and visiting Bulgarian nobility merged into a single ruling class.

By the beginning of the 9th century. Bulgaria has become a very large state. During the reign of the powerful Khan Krum (802–815), the Bulgarian kingdom included not only the territory of modern Bulgaria, but also modern Romania, and part of Hungary (east of the Tisza River).

In the west, the Bulgarian possessions under Krum bordered directly on the empire of Charlemagne along the Sava and Tisza rivers.

Bulgaria continued to expand in the second half of the 9th century, under Prince Boris (852–888). Under Boris, the Bulgarians (including both the descendants of the eastern newcomers and the indigenous Slavic population) accepted Christianity from Byzantium. In the 9th century. two initially alien ethnic elements - Bulgarians and Slavs - became so close to each other that the name “Bulgarian” in the minds of the Byzantines already meant a real Slav.

The Bulgarian newcomers, relatively small in number, finally assimilated with the local population and mastered the Slavic language. The adoption of Christianity seemed to complete ideologically this process of merging two different ethnic elements.

The Bulgarian kingdom reached its greatest power under Tsar Simeon the Great (893–927). Under him, Bulgaria's possessions on the Balkan Peninsula expanded so much that Bulgaria, as it were, turned into an all-Balkan state. Byzantium was left with only the southern part of the peninsula, the coast of the Aegean Sea, part of Macedonia with the city of Thessaloniki and part of Thrace.

But these areas were also threatened by Simeon, who dreamed of conquering the entire Balkan Peninsula, including the capital of Byzantium, Constantinople. Simeon made several trips to Constantinople, trying to capture it. But he failed to do this, since Constantinople was well fortified and strategically occupied a very advantageous position, and Simeon did not have the necessary navy.

In addition, the Bulgarians had to simultaneously wage war on the other end of the peninsula with the Hungarians, allies of the Byzantines. Having not captured Constantinople, Simeon nevertheless in 919 accepted the high-profile title of “tsar and autocrat of all Bulgarians and Greeks,” thus considering himself equal to the Byzantine emperor. It is characteristic that even at the Byzantine court they were forced to reckon with the Bulgarian sovereign.

At palace receptions in Constantinople, the Bulgarian ambassadors took first place among other ambassadors, including the ambassadors of the Holy Roman Emperor. Simeon's son, the future Tsar Peter, married a Byzantine princess, the granddaughter of the Byzantine emperor.

Together with the Greek princess, many Greeks settled in Preslav. In Preslav, the construction of palaces, temples, and stone city walls took place according to Byzantine drawings by Byzantine and Bulgarian craftsmen. The Bulgarian court strove to resemble in everything the magnificent Byzantine court.

Raised in his youth at the Byzantine court and, for his time, very educated person, Simeon created a Slavic literary center at his court in Preslav.

Bulgaria in the 7th - early 10th centuries.

On his orders, numerous translations were made into the Slavic language of various Byzantine theological, philosophical and literary historical collections (“Izmaragd”, “Zlatostruy”, etc.). Bulgarian early writers created in the 10th century. and their original works.

The most famous was the book of John Exarch “The Six Days”, which contained a lot of everyday material. Literacy under Simeon spread widely among the masses.

According to sources from the 10th century, reading books became a favorite pastime not only in the cities, but also in the villages of Bulgaria. Subsequently, in the 11th–12th centuries, Bulgarian-Slavic literature penetrated into Rus', contributing to the significant development of Russian literature.

After the death of Simeon, Bulgaria entered a period of decline.

Most of the lands he conquered went to his neighbors. Byzantium especially strengthened at the expense of Bulgaria. At the same time, the remaining Bulgarian territory was losing its political unity due to the strengthening of the power of local Bulgarian feudal lords, the boyars. Bulgaria was turning into a typical fragmented feudal state; royal power weakened. At the same time, the situation of the peasant masses of Bulgaria became increasingly difficult.

Even under Simeon, the peasants were ruined by heavy state taxes and continuous wars.

Weakened economically, they were quickly enslaved by secular and church landowners.

Often state taxes were so high that free Bulgarian peasants left their lands and moved to the lands of feudal lords in order to pay less state taxes. But by doing so they turned into serfs.

The dissatisfaction of the oppressed peasant masses with boyar-feudal exploitation found clear expression in a broad heretical movement - Bogomilism.

The Bogomils first appeared under Tsar Simeon. Bogomilism became especially widespread by the middle of the 10th century. The name Bogomils comes, according to one version, from the name of the priest Bogomil, or Bogumil, who stood at the head of the first community of rebels; according to another interpretation, this word, meaning “those pleasing to God,” was adopted by the sect to emphasize the Bogomils’ closeness to God and their righteousness in contrast to supporters of the official state Orthodox Church, which, according to the Bogomils, served not good, but evil.

Like the Paulicians in Byzantium, the Bogomils proceeded from the so-called dualistic view of the world. In their opinion, two opposing principles have always fought and are fighting in the world: good - God and evil - the devil. The state church, the Bogomils pointed out, only says that it serves God, but in fact it serves the devil.

Thus, in a fantastic form, the Bogomils reflected their ideas about public social oppression, growing economic inequality and exploitation.

The Bogomils denied statehood Orthodox Church and opposed church land ownership. They also taught that serfdom was not in accordance with the Holy Scriptures.

They considered military service a sin and evaded paying royal taxes. The Bogomils opposed the feudal state to a union of patriarchal local communities that collectively owned communal property and enjoyed complete self-government. They had their own democratic church organization, headed by elected people's elders. The Bogomils also had their own literature - the so-called forbidden books, in which they sharply opposed official Orthodoxy.

The government subjected Bogomilov to severe persecution. Persecuted in their homeland, Bogomilism spread widely throughout other countries of the Balkan Peninsula: in Serbia, Bosnia, Dalmatia, and in the Balkan regions of Byzantium. Subsequently, Bogomilism influenced the development of various heretical movements not only in Western but also in Eastern Europe (Cathars and Albigenses in the West, Strigolniki in Pskov and Novgorod).

History of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a very ancient state with a thousand-year history. It has an exceptionally rich history. In this small country, located on the threshold of Europe and Asia, almost all the great ancient cultures left their mark.

The Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, the Ottoman Empire - they all managed to visit Bulgarian soil, they all left here countless monuments: tombs, fortresses, temples, mosques and works of art.

Dates in the history of Bulgaria

Archaeological excavations made on Bulgarian soil have discovered traces of the Middle Paleolithic (100,000 - 40,000 BC).

Arrowheads with inscriptions were found that date back approximately 1 million years, which indicates that people lived here long before the creation of the Bulgarian kingdom.
The Thracians were the first to inhabit the land of today's Bulgaria, as historians mention.

This large population consisted of separate tribes, sometimes hostile to each other.
In the fourth century BC, Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander (336 - 323) established dominance over most of the Thracian tribes.

But their fierce resistance soon allowed them to regain their freedom. In the 3rd century. BC. first appeared in the Balkans and the Romans. But they completed their campaigns of conquest only in the 1st century AD. The barbarian invasions hampered the development of Roman civilization, and later, from the beginning of the 4th century, they began to threaten the dominance of the Byzantine Empire, which arose after the collapse of the Roman Empire into two parts - Western and Eastern.

As for the Slavs, they began to penetrate the Balkans at the end of the 5th century. In the second half of the 6th century, their invasions became more frequent, and they began to settle on the right bank of the Danube. Soon after this, numerous Slavic tribes settled in the Thracian territories and began to assimilate them. Among the Thracians, their native language fell out of use, as well as the Latin language, which they for a long time used it.

Finally, the Bulgarians finally settled on the Balkan Peninsula. The Bulgars (as Byzantine historians called them), or Proto-Bulgarians, were a people of Turkic origin who lived in the 5th century. in the steppes of South-Eastern Europe, in particular along north coast Black Sea and Crimea. Gradually the Bulgars advanced towards the Danube and Byzantium.

Ancient history of Bulgaria - First Bulgarian Kingdom (681 - 1018)

In 679, the warlike tribes of the Utigurs crossed the Danube and founded their state on the lands conquered from Byzantium.

In 681, the Byzantine emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus, defeated by the troops of Khan Asparukh (680-700) near the mouth of the Danube, signed a treaty under which he was forced to pay an annual tax to the Bulgarian khan.

This fact is official recognition the existence of a new Bulgarian state (the so-called First Bulgarian Kingdom). Constantine IV's successor, Justinian II (685-695 and 705-711), again tried to impose Byzantine rule on the Bulgarians, but these attempts were unsuccessful.
The first capital of this state was Pliska. The territory of Bulgaria covered today's northeastern part of the country.

In the east it went to the Black Sea, in the south to the Stara Planina mountain range, in the west to the Iskar River, and later to the Timok River, in the north the Danube served as its border.
Enslavement by Byzantium (1018 - 1185) was a period of difficult trials for the Bulgarian people.

Bulgaria was ruled by the plenipotentiary governor of the Byzantine emperor, who, however, interfered little in local affairs. However, when Byzantine feudal relations began to spread into Bulgarian territory, and its northern borders became open to invasion, the situation of the Bulgarian people deteriorated to such an extent that mass uprisings broke out twice.

Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1187-1396)

At the end of the 12th century.

combined Hungarian, Serbian and Norman troops attacked Byzantium and captured Sofia. This forced the northern Bulgarians to oppose the Byzantine yoke. In the autumn of 1185, an uprising broke out, prepared and led by the boyars from the city of Tarnovo, brothers Asen and Peter. The uprising was also successful in 1187. Emperor Isaac II of Byzantium signed a peace treaty, by virtue of which all lands north of Stara Planina passed to the restored Bulgarian kingdom.

Third Bulgarian Kingdom (1879-1944)

The Western great powers, feeling the growing influence of Russia in the Balkans after the emergence of Great Bulgaria, which relied entirely on the Russian emperor, decided to curtail the new state.

Macedonia, Eastern Thrace and its access to the Aegean Sea were taken from Bulgaria. The rest of the country was divided into two parts and remained subject to Turkey.

To the north of the Balkan Mountains the Principality of Bulgaria was formed, and to the south - Eastern Rumelia, ruled by a governor appointed by the Sultan.
In 1879, the Great People's Assembly (parliament) adopted the Tarnovo Constitution, in the spirit of liberal traditions.

This constitution recognized all basic types of freedom: speech, press, parties, meetings and protected private property. The German prince Alexander Batenberg, chosen by the Great National Assembly, headed the state, which faced great difficulties in the first months of its existence. The population of Bulgaria could not accept the division of the country.
As a result of a nationwide movement, on September 18, 1885, the Union of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia was proclaimed.

This happened against the will of great forces. Immediately after this, the Serbian king Milan declared war on Bulgaria. But the regular Serbian troops that invaded the country were defeated by the newly created Bulgarian army and volunteers.

Brief history of Bulgaria

The Treaty of Bucharest in 1886 recognized the status of a united Bulgaria.

Recent history of Bulgaria

September 5, 1944, when Soviet troops were on the Bulgarian-Romanian border, the USSR declared war on Bulgaria.

Coordinated actions with the armed resistance and some parts of the Bulgarian army. The Red Army entered the country. On the night of September 9, the monarchical government was overthrown and replaced by the Fatherland Front government led by Kimon Georgiev, leader of the independent Zveno party.

A referendum on September 8, 1946 declared the country a republic. Its first leader was Georgy Dimitrov. On September 4, 1947, the new constitution came into force. After November 10, 1989, major changes began in the country in political and public life. The country has embarked on a democratic path and transition from a planned to a market economy.
On October 21, 1997, a law was passed that strengthened the line of “complete decommunization of the country” previously proclaimed by the president.
Under Stoyanov and Kostov, Bulgaria took major steps towards political and economic transformation.

The country strives for integration with European countries. A number of agreements have been concluded with the European Union. Bulgaria is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program.

Report: History of Bulgaria

In ancient times, the territory occupied by modern Bulgaria belonged to powerful Macedonia, and it was inhabited by the Thracians.

After 46 BC e. all these lands and part of Macedonia, which in turn became part of the powerful Roman Empire, were divided by the Romans for ease of administration into three parts - Lower Moesia, the Balkan Mountains and Thrace in the south.

Appeared here in the middle of the 6th century. n. e. Slavic tribes merged with the small Thracian population, which easily accepted their way of life, traditions and rituals. This merger was also facilitated by the fact that the Slavs were very peaceful towards the local residents and were engaged in arable farming and cattle breeding in small communities.

Turkic hordes, the so-called proto-Bulgarians, led by khans and boyars, leaving their traditional habitats between the Volga and the Southern Urals, crossed the Danube.

In 681, the Turkic Khan Asparukh formed the first Slavic state in history - the First Bulgarian Kingdom - with its capital in the city.

Pliska in Moesia. The state existed until 1018 and was very extensive on a European scale - in the 9th century. its borders extended from Byzantium to Macedonia. At the same time, the few proto-Bulgarians dissolved among the Slavic tribes, adopting their language and culture.

Since 870, Bulgaria has professed Christianity, and the Bulgarian Church is independent and has its own patriarch.

The Bulgarian kingdom reached the peak of its power under Tsar Simeon (893-927), who moved the capital to Preslav and expanded the country's borders to the western shores of the Adriatic.

Even the proud and independent Serbs recognized Simeon as their sovereign (the adoption of Christianity by the Serbs dates back to the same time). Culture and writing flourished.

The writing schools of Preslav and Ohrid were the first in Europe after the Hebrew, Hellenic and Roman schools, which had long since experienced their heyday.

Simeon's attempts to try on the crown of the Byzantine Empire significantly weakened the country, the collapse of which was also facilitated by minor internecine wars after his death.

Serbia managed to prove its independence in 933, and in 972 Byzantium also dissociated itself, leaving behind part of the eastern lands.

King Samuel (980-1014) tried to prevent fatal changes, but suffered a severe defeat in 1014.

in the battle of Belastitsa with the troops of the Byzantine Emperor Vasily II. The latter ordered the eyes of 15 thousand Bulgarian soldiers to be gouged out. Upon learning of this, the Bulgarian Tsar died of a heart attack. Four years later, all of Bulgaria came under Byzantine rule.

In 1185, two brothers - Peter and Asen - led a successful uprising against Byzantine rule, which resulted in the creation of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396). Asen became king, and the capital was moved to Veliko Tarnovo.

Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241) subjugated all of Thrace, Macedonia and Albania, but after his death in 1241.

the gigantic empire began to fall apart again. The country was exhausted by continuous Tatar raids from the north, the Serbs captured Macedonia.

In 1340, the Turks sensed an opportunity to declare weakened Bulgaria a zone of their national interests. In various ways - political, economic and religious - they carried out expansion, which by 1371 was crowned with success. The Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Shishman recognized himself as a vassal of the Turkish Sultan Murad I.

In 1393 the Turks took Veliko Tarnovo. The last Bulgarian stronghold, the city of Vidin fell in 1396. Its fall marked the beginning of five centuries of Ottoman rule.

The Turkish governors, who chose Sofia as their residence, and the Turkish colonists who settled on the fertile plains, pushed the indigenous inhabitants into the mountains, onto dry and infertile lands, while collecting huge taxes from them.

These circumstances, however, contributed to the fact that the Turks failed to introduce Islam into Bulgaria and force the indigenous population to forget their old traditions and customs. The Christian faith was preserved, despite persecution, in remote monasteries such as Rila, Troyan, Bankovsky. The richest have survived folklore traditions, which served as a bridge between the 14th and 19th centuries. - the end of Turkish rule.

The Bulgarians retained self-government, and the national economy was still dominated by the agricultural sector.

The cities became centers of Turkish trade and crafts, and in the 16th-17th centuries. Turkish influence in Bulgaria reached its peak.

It weakened significantly in the 18th century, when the deprivation of the population sharply increased due to the extremely unsuccessful wars of Turkey with Austria and Russia, accompanied by rising taxes and soaring inflation.

Also in early XIX c., as Ottoman influence weakened, on the basis folk traditions, customs, rituals, folklore, the revival of national Bulgarian culture began.

For the first time in 500 years, schools were opened and books were published in Bulgarian.

In 1860, a movement began for a church independent of the Patriarch of Constantinople, which was crowned with success ten years later.

Turkish recognition of autonomy Bulgarian Church appeared important step on the way to independence. While the future national heroes of Bulgaria: Hristo Botev, Lyuben Karavelov and Vasily Levsky were preparing in deep secret for the war of liberation, the inhabitants of Koprivshtitsa raised a premature uprising in April 1876. It was suppressed with unprecedented cruelty. In Plovdiv, 15 thousand Bulgarians were executed, and 58 villages were destroyed.

This turn of events forced Serbia to declare war on Turkey, which in April 1877

Russia and Romania joined on the side of Serbia. Decisive battles took place near Pleven and Shipka. Russia lost 200 thousand people killed and wounded in this war. When Russian troops approached Istanbul within 50 km, the Turks laid down their arms, fearing the possibility of complete defeat.

According to the treaty signed in San Stefano, Türkiye gave 60% of the Balkan Peninsula to Bulgaria.

The modern history of Bulgaria dates back to 1878.

Fearing the emergence of a powerful Russian outpost in the Balkans in the form of a new nascent state, the Western powers did everything possible to prevent this.

At the Congress of Berlin, the southern part of Bulgaria was declared an autonomous province, which was nevertheless nominally under the authority of the Turkish Sultan. Macedonia was officially recognized as part of the Ottoman Empire.

In 1879 Northern Bulgaria adopted a liberal constitution.

In 1885, Southern Bulgaria, called Eastern Rumelia, became part of a new state, the formation of which was largely completed by 1878.

June 29, 1913 Bulgarian King Ferdinand (1908-1918) launched a surprise attack on his recent allies, the Second World War began Balkan War. It quickly ended with the defeat of Bulgaria by Serbia, Greece, as well as Romania, which successfully chose the moment to join the winning side. Macedonia was divided between Greece and Serbia, and Romania received Southern Dobruja from Bulgaria.

In September, rebel troops forced King Ferdinand to abdicate the throne.

History of Bulgaria - from antiquity to the present time

Bulgaria concluded a truce, giving up part of its territory to Greece and Serbia.

Elections in 1920 led to the victory of Alexander Stambolisky, a democrat and opponent of the war. The government he formed managed to carry out land reform, according to which land that belonged to large landowners was distributed among the peasants who worked it. This state of affairs could not suit the landowners.

The internal situation of the country was complicated by the abundance of refugees from Macedonia, as well as an unprecedented increase in crime in Macedonia itself and complete arbitrariness in the country. A. Stamboliysky was killed as a result of a conspiracy by a right-wing radical group that came to power in June 1923, and in September of the same year an armed peasant uprising led by communists was brutally suppressed. Terror has come to the country.

Boris III was crowned king in Bulgaria.

On January 24, 1937, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia solemnly signed a treaty of “indestructible peace and sincere and eternal friendship.”

In September 1940, Hitler demanded that Romania return southern Dobruja to Bulgaria, and in 1941.

Grateful Bulgaria, having terminated all treaties, took an active part in the German intervention in Yugoslavia.

In 1942, the majority of anti-fascist and anti-government groups, including communists, united into the Fatherland Front to organize Bulgaria’s withdrawal from the war and the conclusion of a truce.

Tsar Boris died under mysterious circumstances in August 1943. A Regency Council was formed. It carried out its functions until September 1944 - on September 2, the Fatherland Front planned an armed uprising.

On August 8, 1944, as Soviet troops advanced through Romania, Bulgaria unexpectedly declared itself a neutral country and disarmed its German troops. At the insistence of the USSR, Bulgaria declared war on Germany, after which Soviet troops entered Bulgarian territory without encountering resistance, as if they were entering the territory of a friendly state.

On September 9, 1944, armed detachments of the Fatherland Front and partisans entered Sofia. Power passed into the hands of the communists under the leadership of Todor Zhivkov. From 1944 until the end of the war, units of the Bulgarian army took part in the battles with the Nazis along with Soviet troops.

After a referendum in 1946, Bulgaria was declared a republic, and Prime Minister on October 27, 1946.

Georgiy Dimitrov was elected.

In the 1980s Bulgaria joined Greece's call for the Balkans to be declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone, but relations with Turkey remained strained.

Since the late 1940s. In the country, led by the communist Todor Zhivkov (from 1954 to 1989), large-scale reconstruction unfolded, and then the development and transformation of industry, industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. Bulgaria has become one of the most prosperous countries in Eastern Europe. At the same time, as part of planning in a socialist economy, significant flexibility was shown, which made it possible to increase the quality of products and labor productivity; private farming was allowed in free time from the main job.

In 1989, a wave of perestroika came to Bulgaria from the USSR. On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, and the next day, a radical group within the Bulgarian Communist Party ended the 35-year rule of 78-year-old Todor Zhivkov.

After 43 days, T. Zhivkov was placed under house arrest, and in February 1991 he became the first communist leader to stand trial on charges of corruption and bribery during his reign.

The ancient history of Bulgaria is exceptionally rich. Various ancient peoples managed to visit this small country. The Byzantines, Greeks, Thracians, Romans and other peoples left their mark on this land.

The history of Bulgaria began at the end of the 5th century AD. The Bulgarian tribes included the Utigurs, Kutrigurs, Urogs, Barsils, Balanjars, Savirs and others. These peoples led a nomadic lifestyle in the territory from the Lower Danube to the North Caucasus and the Caspian Sea. Part of the Bulgarians (Kutrigurs and Onogurs) formed an association in the 630s. The history of Bulgaria began with “Great Bulgaria”, which fell thirty years after its founding. This happened as a result of the Khazarian invasion.

Part of the Bulgarian people, having moved to the north, formed “Volga Bulgaria” (Bulgaria) in this territory. Another part of the population (Proto-Bulgarians) migrated to the west. Having settled on the lands of the future North-Eastern Bulgaria, they moved to the southern territories. There they settled in the Stara Planina region.

Over time, the Proto-Bulgarians penetrated deeper into Thrace. In the 7th century, the history of Bulgaria was marked by the founding of a state with its capital - the city of Pliska.

Over the next three centuries, the government of the state was engaged in repelling the attacks of Byzantium. tried to destroy her new neighbor, but did not achieve success in this matter.

From the 8th to the 9th centuries, the history of Bulgaria was marked by the annexation of the southern Balkan region to the Rhodope Mountains, the territories extending south of the Stara Planina, and the Morava and Timok river basins. As well as the territory of the future North-Western Bulgaria. In addition, part of Western and all of Central Macedonia joined the state.

The unification of lands continued under Boris 1. During that era, cities such as Prilep and Ohril were annexed. At the same time, Bulgarian power extended to some territories of the future Albanian lands. The territorial transformations of Boris 1 were consolidated by his son, Simeon.

As a result of the victories won by the leader of the alien tribe of Turkic Bulgarians, the first kingdom of Bulgaria was formed. The history of the existence of the state is marked by the adoption of baptism by Boris 1 in 864. Thus, the kingdom entered the circle of Christian countries.

The reign of Boris 1 took place during the period of the most important events for the state. One of them is the invention of the Slavic alphabet by Cyril and Methodius in 863. Since that time, Bulgaria has been considered the “cradle” of Slavic culture and writing.

The first Bulgarian state (kingdom) reached its apogee in territorial and political power from 893 to 927 during the reign of Simeon the Great. The ruler significantly expanded the country's lands. This happened after his victory over the Byzantines in 917 in the area of ​​the Aheloy River. Thus, Simeon expanded the borders to Greece (the Galipoli Peninsula), then captured Macedonia. After this, the ruler accepted Serbia under the protection and control of his ally.

In the period from 927 to 969, Bulgaria experienced decline. He was in power. Following the past wars, poverty set in. Robbery on the part of fairly large feudal lords and the unbearable burden of taxes led to resistance and discontent among the masses. The Bogomil movement began, which was created and led by the priest Dovodkam.

In 968, the northeastern part of Bulgaria was occupied by the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav. However, after some time he went over to the side of Boris 2, who ascended the throne after Peter 1.

The Byzantine army, having driven out the Russians, occupied Bulgarian territory. Boris 2 was captured. The former ruler remained a hostage of the Byzantines in Constantinople. The Emperor of Byzantium cut down many territories of the Bulgarian state.

The western part of Bulgaria did not last longer than half a century. The army of Vasily 2 in 1014 defeated the troops of King Samuel.

Once upon a time, small Bulgaria was called “Balkan Prussia,” and it was an apt description. However, those times have already been completely forgotten, and now Bulgaria is a hospitable Balkan country, where more than 3.5 million tourists come annually to relax on the Black Sea coast or ski in the Rhodope and Rila mountains.

Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula, in the north it borders with Romania (the border runs along the Danube River), in the west with Serbia and ancient Macedonia, in the south with Greece and Turkey, and in the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The total length of this country is more than 110 square meters. km.

Almost half of Bulgaria's territory is occupied by mountains. The most beautiful of the mountain ranges is Pirin, and the highest mountain in Bulgaria is Musala (its height is 2,925 meters).

The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia, whose population now amounts to more than 1.4 million people. The history of Sofia begins around the 8th century BC. e. – then there was a large Thracian city on this territory.

The official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian, which, according to linguists, belongs to the southern subgroup of Slavic languages. The Bulgarian language began to take shape during the time of the Slavic enlighteners Cyril and Methodius (9th century).

About 76% of the population of Bulgaria is Orthodox (Greek Catholic Church). Another 10% of the population professes Islam, its Sunni branch. Approximately 2% of Bulgarians are Catholics and Protestants.

Bulgaria is a parliamentary democratic republic, its Constitution was adopted on July 12, 1991. Currently, Bulgaria includes 28 provinces, including the capital region of Sofia.

The head of state is the President, who is elected by direct universal suffrage. He has the right to veto legislative initiatives of the National Assembly.

The Parliament of Bulgaria is a unicameral National Assembly with 240 deputies.

The climate in Bulgaria is temperate continental, with cold, wet, snowy winters alternating with dry, hot summers. In general, Bulgaria is a very sunny country. The average temperature in April-September is + 23 C, and the average annual temperature is +10.5 C. On the Black Sea coast the climate is maritime, the average temperature in July is from +19C to +30C.

The best month for skiing in Bulgaria is January.

Bulgaria in the east is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The length of the coastline is 354 km. On the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, the first settlements appeared in the 5th century BC.

From the end of May to the end of September, the average temperature of the Black Sea near the Bulgarian coast is +25C.

There are quite a few rivers in Bulgaria, the largest of which are the Danube, Maritsa, Tundzha, Iskar and Yantra. However, only the Danube is the only navigable river in Bulgaria (but navigation is still carried out on other Bulgarian rivers).

The territory of modern Bulgaria was inhabited in ancient times. The state of Bulgaria itself has a 1,300-year history. In terms of the number of archaeological monuments, Bulgaria ranks third in the world (after Greece and Italy).

The earliest inhabitants of the Bulgarian lands are the Thracians, who were first mentioned by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. By the way, the legendary Spartacus, who led a slave uprising in Ancient Rome, was a Thracian by birth.

The first Bulgarian kingdom was created in the middle of the 7th century by the legendary Khan Asparukh, who united the Bulgars, who came to the Balkans from Central Asia, and local Slavic tribes. It should be noted that Bulgaria was the first Slavic country to convert to Christianity (this happened in 864 AD). At the end of the 9th century, the Cyrillic alphabet became the official alphabet in Bulgaria.

In 1014, under the attacks of the troops of the Byzantine Empire, the First Bulgarian Kingdom collapsed. Only in 1185 was Bulgarian statehood restored, after the formation of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. During the long reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241), Bulgaria reached the zenith of its glory, experiencing economic, religious and cultural prosperity.

However, at the end of the 14th century, the Ottoman Empire began to conquer the Bulgarian lands, and Bulgaria again lost its independence. The rule of the Turks in Bulgaria lasted for about five centuries.

Since the mid-19th century, Bulgaria fought numerous wars for independence with the Ottoman Empire. Russian soldiers actively participated on the side of the Bulgarians in these wars. Finally, on September 22, 1908, independent Bulgaria was proclaimed.

After defeat in the First World War, the authoritarian dictatorship of Tsar Boris III was created in Bulgaria in 1918, which lasted until 1943.

During World War II, Bulgaria fought on the side of Germany, but after the death of Tsar Boris III, it abandoned its alliance with the Germans. After the end of World War II, the People's Republic of Bulgaria was proclaimed (this happened in September 1946).

In June 1990, Bulgaria held its first multi-party elections, and in November 1990 the country became the Republic of Bulgaria.

In 2004, Bulgaria joined NATO, and in 2007 it was admitted to the European Union.

The culture of Bulgaria was significantly influenced by the ancient Greeks and Romans. To this day, hundreds of historical monuments built before our era have been preserved in this country.

Bulgarian folk holidays and customs go back to those distant times when people tried to appease the mysterious forces of nature with offerings. Bulgarian folklore is considered one of the richest in the Balkans. "Fire Dance" is an ancient religious ritual in Bulgaria. Barefoot people dance on smoldering coals, which, as Bulgarians believe, helps get rid of diseases.

To understand the Bulgarian culture, we advise tourists to visit the Rose Festival near the city of Kazanlak. This unique festival has been held for many years in a row. There is a legend that during the Roman Empire, 12 types of roses were grown on the territory of modern Bulgaria.

The most popular Bulgarian folklore festivals are “Pirin Sings” and “Rozhen Sings”. Every year, these folk festivals are attended by a huge number of people (according to official data - more than 150 thousand people).

Among the most famous Bulgarian writers and poets, Ivan Vazov (1850-1921), Dimcho Debelyanov (1887-1916) and Dimitar Dimov (1909-1966) should definitely be mentioned.

Bulgarian cuisine is close to traditional European cuisine, although, of course, it has its own characteristics. In many ways, Bulgarian cuisine is similar to the cuisine of Greece and Turkey. Traditional foods for Bulgarians are yogurt, milk, cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, onions, eggplants, and fruits.

The most famous Bulgarian traditional dishes are vegetable “shopska salad”, gyuvech, “Pumpkin” pie, “katma” flatbread, cold “tarator” soup, hot “chorba” soup, kebab, moussaka, “sarmi” cabbage rolls, yakhnia, tomato salad “lyutenitsa”, as well as pastarma.

Among the Bulgarian desserts, we note gris halva, Rhodopean banitsa and apple pie.

In Bulgaria, yogurt, which is often served with various fruit and berry additives, and ayran are very popular.

Bulgaria is famous for its white and red wines, as well as rakia (vodka made from fruit). In addition, in Bulgaria they make mastic with a strength of 47 degrees, and mint liqueur menta.

Tourists come to Bulgaria primarily to relax at beach resorts or ski in the puddles at ski resorts. However, in this ancient country with beautiful nature tourists should definitely see its attractions. The top five most interesting sights in Bulgaria, in our opinion, include the following:

Mount Vitosha
The height of Mount Vitasha is 2290 meters. Now there is a national park on its territory.

National Historical Museum in Sofia
This museum houses unique historical artifacts that give an idea of ​​the history of Bulgaria, starting from the 5th century BC.

Boyana Church
Boyana Church is located in the village of Boyana at the foot of the Vitosha Mountains, just 8 kilometers from Sofia. It was built in the 13th century, although the first chapel on this site appeared in the 10th century. In 1979, the Boyana Church was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Church of the Forty Martyrs in Veliko Tarnovo
This church was built in 1230 in honor of the Bulgarian victory at Klokotnitsa over the Epirus despot Theodore Ducas. It is the tomb of the Bulgarian kings.

Shipka National Park-Museum
The Shipka National Park Museum is located 22 km from Gabrovo on Mount Shipka. This museum is dedicated to the events of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-78. Now there are 26 historical monuments in the Shipka Park-Museum.

It is difficult to say which city in Bulgaria is the most ancient. Some of them were formed by the Greeks and Romans (for example, Balchik, Sofia, Varna and Sozopol).

At the moment, the largest Bulgarian cities are Sofia (more than 1.4 million people), Plovdiv (390 thousand people), Varna (350 thousand people), Burgos (about 220 thousand people), Rousse (more than 170 thousand people ) and Stara Zagora (170 thousand people).

Bulgaria is famous for its beach and ski resorts.

The most popular beach resorts are Albena, Dunes, Golden Sands, Burgas, Kranevo, Obzor, Rusalka and Sozopol. Note that more than 97% of the Bulgarian coast meets environmental requirements EU.

There are no fewer ski resorts in Bulgaria than beach resorts. Among them are Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo, Semkovo, Kulinoto and Uzana. This means that the best Bulgarian ski resorts are in the Rodopi, Pirin and Rila mountains.

Cooker masks (this is folk masks, which appeared in Bulgaria several centuries ago). Cookers in early Middle Ages drove away evil spirits and invoked fertility. Masks are made from wood, leather, fur and feathers;
- paintings by local artists depicting traditional Bulgarian houses;
- handicrafts, especially those made of wood, clay and ceramics;
- dolls in traditional Bulgarian clothes;
- embroidered products, including towels, tablecloths and napkins; - copper coinage and copper Turk; - sweets (for example, Bulgarian Turkish delight and halva);
- products with rose water or rose oil;
- wines and strong alcoholic drinks.

Stores operating in Bulgaria:
Mon-Fri: from 9.30 to 18.00 Sat: from 8:30 to 11:30.

Bank opening hours:
Mon-Fri: - from 9:00 to 15:00.

Volute exchange offices are open until 18:00 (but some are open 24 hours a day). You can exchange currency at the airport upon arrival or departure, or at the hotel.

To enter Bulgaria, Ukrainians need to obtain a visa.

The Bulgarian Lev is the official currency of Bulgaria. One lev (international symbol: BGN) is equal to 100 stotinki. In Bulgaria, banknotes of the following denominations are used:
- 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 leva.