THE HISTORY OF BULGARIA (essential knowledge when preparing to obtain Bulgarian citizenship)

Lesson 1. Ancient Bulgaria

Did you know that Bulgaria ranks third among the countries with the richest cultural and historical heritage? People have lived on Bulgarian lands since the Neolithic era, and to this day builders digging foundation pits regularly find ancient treasure hoards here..

Lesson 2. Danubian Bulgaria

In 681 the Bulgars, who had formed an alliance with the Slavs, finally won back the lands between the Black Sea and the Balkan Mountains. The Byzantine Emperor Constantine V recognised the new state by concluding a peace treaty with Khan Asparuh.

Lesson 3. The reign of Knyaz Boris I

Boris I, who later received the title of knyaz, ascended the Bulgarian throne in 852. His reign was marked by two of the most important events in the country’s history — the baptism of the Bulgarians and the creation of the Slavic alphabet.

Lesson 4. The Golden Age and the end of the First Empire

Some historians believe that the numerous wars waged by Simeon I exhausted the state. And by the time Tsar Peter I came to the throne, the state began to decline.

Lesson 5. The rise and flourishing of the Second Bulgarian Empire

Until 1185 Bulgaria had vanished from the map of Europe, conquered by the Byzantine Empire. But the Bulgarians could not accept this. The brothers Ivan Asen and Peter — members of the aristocracy, descendants of the tsars of the First Bulgarian Empire — raised a rebellion against the Byzantines..

Lesson 6. The end of the Second Empire

From 1371 onwards, the armies of the Ottoman Empire attacked Bulgaria regularly. A weakened Bulgaria, mired in wars and internal strife, was unable to defend itself against the well-prepared troops..

Lesson 7. Ottoman rule

In 1396 the last Bulgarian fortress fell. The country came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The period of the yoke lasted almost five centuries.

For the Bulgarians it was a hard time…

Lesson 8. The liberation of Bulgaria.

In April 1877 the Russian Empire declared war on the Ottomans, and by the summer Russian troops had crossed the Danube and set about liberating Bulgaria.

Lesson 9. From liberation to independence

In September 1885 Eastern Rumelia — the part of the country whose main city was Plovdiv — was united with Bulgaria. For Bulgaria this was a great achievement

Lesson 10. Wars at the beginning of the 20th century

As a result of the Balkan League’s victory in the war, Bulgaria gained new lands. But Macedonia remained a disputed region, claimed not only by Bulgaria but also by Greece and Serbia

Lesson 11. From the First World War to socialism

The crushing defeat in the war and the devastation became the reason for a change of government in the country. On the Bulgarian throne, Tsar Ferdinand was succeeded by his son Boris

Lesson 12. The “Sixteenth Republic” and its end

As a result of the Balkan League’s victory in the war, Bulgaria gained new lands. But Macedonia remained a disputed region, claimed not only by Bulgaria but also by Greece and Serbia

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