Bourgas – City Tour
The region of modern Bourgas, located between three lakes and the Black Sea is called “the crossroad of the most ancient civilizations”.
The native inhabitants of the region are the Thracians. Supposedly, about 6 B.C. they found a number of towns along the seaside, such as Apolonia, Mesemvria, Anhialo, etc., that are believed to have been founded by Greek settlers.
In the early summer of 2008 archeologists from the Bourags Museum have discovered, at 10 kilometers to the north of the city, in a prehistoric mound in the area Solna Niva, in the yard of the light regime prison – boarding house, on the road to the quarter Vetren, unique objects dated back to the age of the early Halcolite. More than 250 items have been excavated, as the earliest of them are supposed to have been used 6000 years B.C. They evidence that agriculture, cattle-breeding and salt extraction have been the means of living for the ancient inhabitants of the area. Ritual dishes of the king – priest have also been discovered. It is considered that the artifacts are the oldest ever discovered along the Black Sea coast, including in Turkey and Caucus.[4][5]
Later, on 15 km. to the southwest of Bourgas is founded the Roman town Deultum, which has also been a military colony, and has subsequently turned into an important center in the region. The old name accounts for the origin of the names Develt and Debelt. A healing center near the numerous mineral springs in the region has been developed.
Alexandrovska Street - 1906
Alexandrovska Street today
In the Middle Ages, at 10-kilometer distance, the Pirgos fortress is built, most probably used as a watchtower. Its remnants have existed in the 19th century as well, as evidences by various Europeans who have visited the region in this period show. Bourgas obtains its present name as late as the 17th century. Initially it is called Ahelo Bourgas, and after the Liberation – Bourgas. According to the data of the French consul for the Black Sea, Charles des Paysonnelle (1727-1790) the town has started to develop due to the trade and export of grains to Tsarigrad (today’s Istanbul) in the middle of 18th century.
With the withdrawal of the Russian troops after the end of the Russian – Turkish War from 1828-1829, the larger part of the population of Strandja and the seaside region has left their homes and following the army out of the boundaries of Bulgaria has settled in Ukraine, Moldova, Besarabia and other territories of the Russian Empire. Bulgarians from the central part of the country move into the abandoned settlements, and under the influence of Greek teachers and priests, are gradually Hellenized.
In 1869 Bulgarian school and church are opened in Bourgas. The town is liberated from the Ottoman rule on 6th February 1878 by the Russian troops. At that time the town is inhabited by about 2950 people, mainly Turks, Armenians, Jews, Bulgarians and Hellenized population. The first mayor of the liberated town is Niko Popov, a Bulgarian the half of whose family consider themselves Greeks. After the execution of the Berlin Treaty, Bourgas becomes one of the 6 administrative centers of the newly founded province of Eastern Rumelia. The greater part of the Turkish population immigrates to the Ottoman Empire, first after the Liberation and then after the Unification of Bulgaria.
On 29th January 1895 the immigrants from Macedonia to the Principality of Bulgaria create a Macedonian Society in Bourgas, called Pirin Planina in which participate also immigrants from the region of Edirne. On 12th May 1896, similarly to the Bourgas Macedonian society, by initiative of captain Petko Voyvoda and the brothers Peter and Nikola Dragulev in Varna is founded the Edirne Immigration Society Strandja. [6]. In December of the same year, a branch of the latter is established in Bourgas. [6]. On 2nd September 1902 the two organizations in Bourgas unite in a Macedonian – Edirne Society.
An important stage in the economic development of Bourgas is marked by the sea harbor opened on 18th May, 1903. In 1905 a Trade High school is founded as well and in the year 1925 the Public mechanic and technical school is opened.
In the decades to follow, the town and district turn into the largest refugee camp in Bulgaria. After the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising and especially, after the War between the Allies in 1913, the town and the region are flooded by refugees from Eastern Thracia [6]. According to incomplete data of the former Directorate for accommodation of refugee families in Bulgaria, till 1931 in the district of Bourgas there have settled the largest number – 12155 families, as their total number amounts to over 60 thousand people, two thirds out of which come from Eastern Thracia. [6]. The remaining part of the refugees come from Aegean Macedonia, mainly from the region of Enidzhe Vardar. They arrive during the period 1923-1925 and are settled in Bourgas and in the seaside towns and villages to the north of the town. In exchange, the larger part of the Hellenized population of the region depart for Greece.
* the trip is offered to individual tourists after placement of a preliminary order.
