History

Bulgaria is one of the oldest cultural regions in Europe. Archaeological findings prove human settlement for over 40,000 years. The Neolithic Revolution reached the Balkans around 6000 BC — the findings from Karanovo (near Nova Zagora) document one of the earliest agricultural cultures in Europe.

The Thracians (2nd millennium – 1st century BC)

The Thracians were the dominant people of ancient Bulgaria — a warlike, artistically talented equestrian people, mentioned by Homer in the Iliad and described by the Greeks as "barbaric but brave." Their goldsmiths produced masterpieces admired in museums worldwide today: The Panagyurishte Treasure (4th century BC) and the Varna Treasure (4600–4200 BC — the oldest processed gold in the world!) testify to a high culture that was in some respects equal to the Greeks.

The Thracian religion revolved around the Dionysus cult (Sabazios), fertility rituals, and the belief in an afterlife — hence the richly equipped burial mounds, over 50,000 of which have been identified in Bulgaria. The myth of Orpheus, the divine singer from the Rhodopes, is of Thracian origin and was adopted by the Greeks.

Roman Period (1st century – 5th century AD)

From 46 AD, Thrace became a Roman province. The Romans built roads, baths, and amphitheaters — many of which are still preserved today. Serdica (Sofia), Philippopolis (Plovdiv), and Odessos (Varna) became significant cities. Emperors Diocletian and Constantine the Great resided temporarily in Serdica. Constantine's famous saying "Serdica is my Rome" shows the importance of the city.

Byzantine Empire

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Bulgaria became part of the Byzantine Empire — a period characterized by the cultural influence of Constantinople: Christianity, the Greek language, and Byzantine art fundamentally shaped Bulgarian identity.

First Bulgarian Empire (681–1018)

In the year 681, Khan Asparuh founded the First Bulgarian Empire — the oldest existing state in Europe that has never changed its name. The Proto-Bulgarians (Turkic people) merged with the Slavic tribes and the remaining Thracians to form a new nation.

Under Tsar Simeon I (893–927), Bulgaria experienced its Golden Age: The empire stretched from the Adriatic to the Black Sea, and the capital Preslav rivaled Constantinople. The Cyrillic script was further developed and spread in Bulgaria by the disciples of Cyril and Methodius — today, it is used by over 250 million people worldwide.

Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1393)

After a period of Byzantine rule, Bulgaria regained its independence in 1185. The new capital Veliko Tarnovo became a magnificent residence, and the fortress Tsarevets became the center of power. Under Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218–1241), the Second Empire reached its greatest extent and cultural flourishing.

The increasing weakening due to internal conflicts made Bulgaria vulnerable to Ottoman expansion. Tarnovo fell in 1393, and by 1396 all of Bulgaria was under Ottoman control — the beginning of almost 500 years of foreign rule.

Ottoman Rule (1396–1878)

The nearly five-hundred-year Ottoman rule is the most defining chapter of Bulgarian history — and the most painful. The Bulgarian aristocracy was eliminated, churches were converted into mosques, and Bulgarian culture was suppressed. At the same time: The Ottomans brought a functioning administration, trade routes, and architectural works — the mosques, baths, and bridges that are still preserved today.

In the 18th/19th century, Bulgarian national consciousness awakened: The Bulgarian Revival (Văzrazhdane) brought schools, literature, architecture, and eventually armed resistance. The April Uprising of 1876 was bloodily suppressed (the "Massacre of Batak" shocked all of Europe), but it triggered the Russo-Turkish War. On March 3, 1878, Bulgaria was liberated by the Treaty of San Stefano — March 3 is still a national holiday today.

Principality & Tsardom (1878–1944)

The liberated Bulgaria initially became a principality, and from 1908 an independent Tsardom. The young nation strove for territorial greatness — with tragic consequences: The Balkan Wars (1912–1913) and participation in both World Wars on the losing side led to territorial losses, economic hardship, and national frustration. The separations of Macedonia and Thrace (to Greece and Turkey) left deep wounds.

A remarkable chapter: In World War II, Bulgaria was the only ally of Germany to save its Jewish population — 48,000 Bulgarian Jews were not deported, thanks to the resistance of parliament, the church, and civil society.

Communism (1944–1989)

In 1944, the Soviet Union took control. Bulgaria became a People's Republic and the most loyal satellite state of Moscow — so close that the joke circulated that Bulgaria was "the 16th Soviet Republic." The industrialization transformed the country, but at the cost of oppression, environmental destruction, and cultural homogenization. The secret police (DS) controlled life, agriculture was forcibly collectivized, and the Turkish minority was brutally assimilated in the campaign known as the "Revival Process."

The socialist monumental buildings — the Buzludzha Monument (a UFO-like party building on a mountain peak) and the NDK Palace in Sofia — are today fascinating relics of this era.

Democracy & EU (1989–present)

On November 10, 1989 — one day after the fall of the Berlin Wall — the long-time dictator Todor Zhivkov was overthrown. The transition to democracy was bumpy: economic crises, hyperinflation (1996/97), corruption, and emigration plagued the country. Bulgaria's population shrank from 9 million (1989) to 6.5 million (2025) — one of the most dramatic demographic developments in Europe.

The EU accession in 2007 brought stability, investments, and European integration. Since 2024, Bulgaria has been part of the Schengen Area (air and sea borders), and accession to the Eurozone is planned for the coming years. Despite the challenges — corruption, low wages, brain drain — Bulgaria has established itself as an IT location and increasingly as a tourist destination. Sofia is now one of the most dynamic start-up cities in Southeast Europe.