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Varnas History

Thracian settlments dating back to 4000BC have been found in the areas surrounding Varna including a collection of around 100 Neolithic tombs.

In 585 BC the Greeks settled here and created the city of Odessos which became a major sea port and trading route between Greece, the Balkan peninsula and the Middle East. This was very short lived and after 150 years the Thracians regained control of the area.

In 432 BC the Macedonians led by Alexander the Great began attacking the city, resistance was strong but eventually the city was annexed. Under Macedonian rule the city's regional importance declined.

In 2 AD the Romans invaded the area, today many fine examples of architecture dating back to Roman rule here can be seen including the thermae and baths.

681 signalled the establishment of the first Bulgarian empire and the city was renamed Varna. This was a dark period for Varna, swinging between Byzentine and Bulgarian rule the city's fortunes declined but started to become more prosperous towards the end of the middle ages.

In 1393 the Turks invaded and Varna became an important bastion of the Turkish empire and after the Crimean war the Turkish allowed their allies from Britan and France to trade throughout the Ottoman empire, Varna had once again become an important trading center.

Varna continued to prosper in 1866 a railway was established between the city and the Danube river in the north and it also became a major ship building center.

Modern day Varna is a happy mix of sea port, beach resort and shopping center. The level of english here is good especially with the younger generations and most reseraunts and bars have menus in english. Varna has also become the center for forginers looking to buy property in the region and many real estate agents are based here. Click here for more info about buying property in Bulgaria.