Dobrich
Dobrich (Bulgarian: Добрич) is a town in northeastern Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Dobrich Province. Dobrich is the eight most populated town in Bulgaria, being the centre of the historical region of Southern Dobruja, and is located 30 km west of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, not far from resorts such as Albena, Balchik, and Golden Sands.
History
The first evidence of settlement in what is now Dobrich date from 4th-3rd century BC. Ruins from 2nd-4th century and 7th-11th century have also been found, including a Bulgar necropolis featuring pagan graves in the centre of the town.
During the 11 century, Pecheneg invasions devastated the interior of Dobruja, leaving many settlements in the region uninhabited at the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
The settlement is founded for a second time in the 16th century by the Turkish merchant Hacıoğlu Pazarcık, whose name it bore until 1882. According to Turkish data from 1646-1650, there were over 1000 houses in the town, about 100 shops, 3 inns, 3 Turkish baths, 12 mosques and 12 shools.
From the 17th to the 19th century, the town developed as a handicraft, trade and agricultural centre, being famous for its weaving, homespun tailoring, coppersmith's trade, leatherworking and agricultural products, such as wheat, linseed, wool and cheese.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the town's population reached 12 000, many of whom refugees from eastern Bulgaria after the Russo-Turkish Wars. The cultural appearance of the town was also formed. The first Orthodox church was built in 1843.
The town was liberated from the Ottoman Empire on 27th January 1878] and renamed Dobrich on 19th February 1882 by means of a knyaz Alexander I's decree after Dobrotitsa, a mediaeval ruler of Dobruja.
After the Treaty of Neuilly of 1916, Dobrich and the whole of Southern Dobruja were incorporated in Romania for a period until 1940. On 25th September 1940, the Bulgarian army marched into the town, the date being celebrated as the town's holiday.
During Communist rule, Dobrich was renamed Tolbukhin after Russian military commander Fyodor Tolbukhin. On 19th September 1990, a president's decree restored the town's old name, Dobrich.
Demographics
2001 census data states that about 86% of Dobrich's inhabitants are Bulgarians by nationality, followed by Turks at 8% and Roma at 3,5%. The percantage of Orthodox Christians is 86%, whereas 10% of the population is Muslim by denomination.
External links
- The official site of Municipality Dobrich (Bulgarian).
- A guide to Dobrich
- Dobrich Information and Photos (English)
- Dobrich (English and Bulgarian)