Why Bulgaria Has One of the Richest Histories in Europe
Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe, with a history full of adventure, ancient cultures, and great changes. This small Balkan country has seen many different people and empires come and go, and each group left something special behind. Let’s travel through time and explore the story of Bulgaria!
The First People: Thracians
A long, long time ago—more than 6,000 years ago—some of the world’s oldest towns were built in what is now Bulgaria. The first people who left lasting traces here were the Thracians. They lived in small villages, usually on top of hills, and were known for their simple but meaningful way of life.
Later, the Thracians were influenced by the Roman Empire and adopted Roman customs. By 400 AD, most Thracians had disappeared, but their influence can still be seen in Bulgarian traditions, art, and ancient ruins.
Language and Religion Begin to Change
From around 500 AD, the people in the region still followed Greco-Roman culture, but something new was starting to grow: Christianity. Churches began to appear, and religious ideas spread across the land. By 600 AD, the Greek language became the most common in the Eastern Roman Empire, especially in schools, churches, and cities.
The Arrival of the Slavs
Around this time, new groups of people called the Slavs began moving into the Balkans. There were three main groups: the West Slavs, East Slavs, and South Slavs, who settled in what is now Bulgaria during the 6th century.
Who Were the Bulgars?
Another important group, the Bulgars, arrived from the Russian steppes near the Caucasus Mountains. They were semi-nomadic people of Turkic origin, and by the 600s, they began to settle in this region. Together with the Slavs, they helped create the First Bulgarian Empire.
A New Empire and a New Alphabet
The First Bulgarian Empire was a very important time in history. During this period:
- The people converted to Christianity
- A brand new alphabet, the Cyrillic alphabet, was invented by Saints Cyril and Methodius
- Bulgaria became a powerful economic and religious center in Europe
The Cyrillic alphabet is still used today in Bulgaria and other countries like Russia and Serbia.
The Ottoman Rule
In 1393, the Ottoman Empire captured the capital city of Tarnovo, and much of Bulgaria came under Ottoman control. The Turks destroyed many castles and churches to prevent rebellions. Many Bulgarians were forced to leave big cities, and some were made to convert to Islam, especially in mountain areas like the Rhodopes. However, even those who changed religions often kept their Bulgarian language and customs.
Bulgaria Fights for Freedom
After many years under Ottoman rule, Bulgarians began to fight for their independence. In April 1877, Bulgaria and Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire. This war ended in victory, and on March 3, 1878, the Treaty of San Stefano was signed.
Bulgaria was free again!
The new country included many important places like Sofia, Veliko Turnovo, and land between the Danube River and the Stara Planina Mountains.
Learn Bulgarian with Dinolingo
Want to explore more of Bulgarian culture and history while learning the language? Dinolingo is a great place to begin! With thousands of fun activities for children aged 2 to 14, Dinolingo offers Bulgarian lessons through videos, songs, games, flashcards, and stories. You can access lessons on web, iOS, or Android and use printable worksheets for offline learning too.
With Dinolingo, learning Bulgarian becomes a joyful adventure!
Conclusion
Bulgaria’s history is full of heroes, empires, alphabets, and brave people who stood up for their freedom. From the Thracians and Slavs to the modern-day Republic, Bulgaria is a country with a deep story to tell. And now, thanks to tools like Dinolingo, children all over the world can discover this amazing history while learning the language too.