Location: Silistra is situated in the North-east part of Bulgaria, at a distance of 430 km from the capital Sofia. The town is beautifully positioned on the right bank of the Danube River. Silistra impresses not only with its location and beautiful nature, but also with its ancient history.
Population: The population of the town is 42 153 people. The main sources of income are agriculture, light industry and tourism. There are numerous hotels and nice Bulgarian taverns, which welcome and pamper the visitors of Silistra. The open borders with Romania since the two countries’ accession to the EU stimulate the development of trade.
History: Silistra is one of the most ancient Bulgarian towns, with approximately 2000 years of history. It emerged as a Roman fortress Durostorum at the place of a Thracian settlement that existed here earlier. For many centuries this fortress was the cornerstone of defence to the Roman territories against the Barbarians that were coming from the north and an administrative centre of Moesia Province. During this period the town made a tremendous progress – a fortification, water supply and sewage systems were constructed, as well as the street network, villas, Roman buildings and houses, baths, ovens and graveyard, part of which could be seen today. During the Middle Ages it had the Bulgarian name of Drastar. After the lands were conquered by the Ottoman Turks, the town did not cease its development. With its key location – at the shore of the Danube River, it developed as a trade and ship-building centre. Today Silistra is a middle-sized town and an important tourist and trade centre.
Landmarks: Silistra takes pride both in its rich nature and the numerous cultural and historical values.
- The Historical Museum is famous for its rich collection of articles from the prehistoric, antiquity and medieval eras. The most valuable exhibits are the coin collections and treasures from the 4th century B.C. till 15th century A.C. The museum yard is turned into a lapidarium.
- Since the times of the most ancient inhabitants – the Thracians, a Thracian rock cult complex has been preserved in Silistra, located about 10 km away from the town, which includes 4 rock sanctuaries, altars, cult sites and rock pits. The most impressive among them is “Badzhaliyata” – the central sanctuary, formed in a large cave, which is accessed through a tunnel dug in the rock.
- The Tomb of Silistra from the end of the 4th century A.D. is the most popular antique monument in the region of Silistra. It is considered the most beautiful and valuable monument of the late Antiquity era in our Country from architectural and artistic point of view.
- Medzhidi Tabiya is a fortress located south from Silistra, part of the Ottoman fortification system, which was built during the period 1841-1853. It is part of the 100 national tourist sites. It has the shape of a hexagon and reaches a height of 8 meters. In 1847 it was visited by sultan Abdul Medzhid and it was named after him – Medzhidi Tabiya.
Surroundings
- Srebarna Natural Reserve is located close to Silistra and it is one of the unique natural and environmental sites in Bulgaria. The reserve includes Srebarna lake and its surroundings on an area of more than 600 hectares. Since 1965 it is included in one of the most significant wetlands in Europe and since 1983 it is included in the list of UNESCO of world cultural and natural heritage. These distinctions are the result of its very rich ornithofauna and the habitation of the endangered bird species on a global scale. One of the attractions of the region is located here – the special museum with taxidermed animals from the reserve.
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