History

Bulgaria is a country with thousands of years of history. It is famous with its rich  historical, archeological and architectural heritage, which includes village mounds, Tracian thumbs, fortress cities, incredible architectural and sculptural works, unique examples of ancient art, many monasteries and villages with unique architecture. These historical treasures are part of the European history, and they can bring unforgettable emotions and experiences to anyone who comes in touch with our mythical and wondrous past.
The Bulgarian lands are ancient crossroads. They were populated from remote antiquity and remember many ancient civilizations. Evidence of ancient civilizations on the territory of Bulgaria have been found all over its lands.
A typical characteristic of the settlements in these areas is that they are scattered in numerous neighbourhoods. Each opportunity for foundation of a settlement in the small convenient hollows and valleys was utilized, and when there was danger for the population, people used to move out high in the mountains. Remains from the primitive people are found in almost every cave suitable for dwelling. There are a many ruins of fortresses, road fortifications, necropolises and tumuli too. Some of the most dens a ly populated regions from the antiquity up to the present are Stara Planina, Predbalkan and the Rhodope Mountains. The favorable climate, numerous caves, sheltered mountain valleys and gorgeous mountains, fertile plains, large forest massifs full of wild animals and birds - all these things had provided perfect conditions of living for the people from the primitive age.
The Black Sea coastal area was inhabited by Thracians, Greek colonists engaged mainly with fishing and trade. Coastal waters hide remains of many shipwrecks and sunken settlements. Even nowadays people are searching for the treasures.
Several settlements claim to be the birthplace of the legendary chieftain of the slaves - Spartacus and some others of the unsurpassable musician Orpheus. You can hear legends of heroic battles, love and suffering in each town and these events became basis for designations of land areas, peaks, queer rocky formations, etc. Bulgaria has over 30,000 historical monuments from different historical epochs, 36 culture reserves, 330 museums and galleries.

New Bulgarian history

After restoring the national state-hood in 1878 Bulgaria was a constitutional monarchy with a democratic government and a quickly developing economy. The processes of successful growth were discontinued as a result of the adventurism of king Ferdinand I that led to the catastrophes of 1913. (when this country had to wage wars against Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Turkey, and Romania at the same time) and of 1918 (warring against the Entente countries). 1923 and 1934 – Democratically elected governments were toppled via coups d’Etat that brought to power authoritarian regimes. 1941 – Bulgaria entered World War II on the side of the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis. Bulgaria was the only ally of Hitler Germany which did not allow the killing of its Jewish citizens. It was thanks to king Boris III and to the Bulgarian governments that no hostilities were waged on this country’s territory. 1944 – After World War II, as a result of the Yalta agreements between the Great Powers, Bulgaria chanced in the field of influence of the Soviet Union. 1953-1989 – Years of the communist rule of Todor Zhivkov who headed both the party and the state. 10 November 1989 – Under the pressure of domestic and international circumstances Todor Zhivkov was forced to resign. Bulgaria once again embarked on the road of democratic development. 7 December 1989 – The Union of Democratic Forces /UDF/ was formed as a unification of 13 opposition organisations. 10-17 June 1990 – The first free parliamentary elections. 12 July 1991 – A new democratic Constitution was passed. 13 October 1991 – The first free local authorities elections. January 1992 – The first free presidential elections. Zhelyu Zhelev was elected as head of the state. 3 November 1996 – Petar Stoyanov, proposed by the UDF, was elected with a landslide majority as President of the Republic of Bulgaria. 19 April 1997 – The Parliamentary elections were won by the Democratic Forces United /DFU/ A government was formed headed by Ivan Kostov, Prime-Minister. Bulgaria started on the road of genuine democratic reforms.