Portal:Bulgaria

Topics Culture Geography Health History Mathematics Nature People Philosophy Religion Society Technology Bulgaria (Bulgarian: България, [bɤlɡˈariɤ]), officially the Republic of Bulgaria (Bulgarian: Република България, [rɛpˈubliˌkɤ bɤlɡˈariɤ]), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the east, Greece and Turkey to the south, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, and Romania to the north, mostly along the Danube. Bulgaria's civilized history dates back more than six millennia to a prehistoric time and place within the heart of its territory that marks the birth of Europe's and possibly the world's first literary culture. Though relatively small in terms of territory and population, Bulgaria's continuous historical wealth throughout prominent cyclical eras of growth, decline and medieval renaissance rivals that of the much larger and more populous countries of China, India and Egypt. The modern Bulgarian state was first established in 681 AD creating the First Bulgarian Empire. After the Empire fell to the Byzantine Empire in 1018 the Second one took its place in 1185. The Second Bulgarian Empire established much of Bulgaria's heritage we know today. The empire was completely occupied by the Ottoman Empire in 1396 and fell in 1422. The current Bulgarian state declared independence in 1878 and was completely separated from The Ottoman Empire in 1908. Part of the Eastern Bloc after World War II, today Bulgaria is a democratic, unitary, parliamentary republic, a member of the European Union and NATO. The capital is Sofia, one of the oldest capital cities in Europe. The Bachkovo Monastery (Бачковски манастир, Bachkovski manastir) or Petritsoni Monastery in Bulgaria is an important monument of Georgian Christian architecture and one of the largest and oldest Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Eastern Europe. It is located on the right bank of the Chepelare River, 89 km from Sofia and 10 km south of Asenovgrad, and is directly subordinate to the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. The monastery was founded by Prince Grigol Bakurianis-dze, prominent Georgian statesman and military commander in Byzantine service, in 1083. Since the 13th century, Georgians lost their domination over the monastery, but nevertheless, Georgian traditions were preserved until the beginning of 14th century. During the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire, Bachkovo Monastery was patronized by Tsar Ivan Alexander, which is evidenced by an image of him on the arches of the ossuary's narthex. Since the 11th century, a school was housed in the monastery. The Devil's Bridge (Bulgarian: Дяволски мост) spans over the Arda River in the eastern Rhodope Mountains. August 29: Four men go before Hungarian court after 71 found dead in lorry June 27: Russians continue to top podium on third day of European Deaf Swimming Championships June 25: Russians top podium on second day of European Deaf Swimming Championships August 7: Deaflympics 2013: US swimmer breaks second world record June 23: One Australian male and female archer qualify for Olympics after Ogden event February 12: Anti-ACTA activists protest across Europe February 8: European cold spell kills hundreds May 15: Azerbaijan win 2011 Eurovision Song Contest 100x100px ...that, in opposition to the orthodox architectural canon, a giant undulating apse occupies the entire east façade of the Church of the Holy Trinity (pictured) in Svishtov? ...that after an accident in his teens, Bulgarian poet Pencho Slaveykov had difficulty writing and speaking? ...that Bulgarian Dobri Zhelyazkov founded the first textile factory in the Ottoman Empire? ...that architectural elements akin to those of the Olympic Stadium in Munich were incorporated in the Central Railway Station in Sofia during its latest renovation? 20px Bulgaria • Education • Religion • Sport • Health Society • Provinces • Municipalities • Cities and towns Geography • Subdivisions • Environment • Buildings and structures • Tourist attractions • Rivers • Extreme points 20px Economy • Companies • Communication • Science and technology • Tourism • Transport Culture • Arts • Cuisine • Languages • Literature • Media • Music Template:/box-header History • Thracians • Bulgars • Slavs • Bulgarians • Old Great Bulgaria • First Bulgarian Empire • Second Bulgarian Empire • History of Ottoman Bulgaria • National awakening • History of Independent Bulgaria • Balkan Wars • During World War I • During World War II • History of the People's Republic of Bulgaria • History since 1989 Geography • Provinces • Municipalities • Cities and towns • Villages • Rivers • Extreme points Politics • Government • Presidents • Prime Ministers • National Assembly • Elections • Parties • Foreign relations Culture • Music • Language • Literature • Religion • Education 20px Economy • Communications • Tourism Template:/box-header Requested articles • Bulgarian architecture • Bulgarian art • Bulgarian gardeners • Traycho Traykov • Totyu Mladenov • Alexander Tsvetkov • Nona Karadzhova • Stefan Konstantinov • Minko Gerdzhikov • Nikolay Liliev • Teodor Trayanov • Bulgarian dress • Bulgarian art • Pliska–Preslav culture • Evgeni Tanchev Expand • Dulo clan • Yantra River • Nestinarstvo • Vrana Palace • Pliska • Gate of Trajan • Georgi Ivanov • Georgi Benkovski • Ekaterina Dafovska • Name days in Bulgaria • Evlogi Georgiev • Turks in Bulgaria • Sliven • Shumen • Shishman dynasty Requested images • Klokotnitsa • Naftex Stadium • Palitsi • Vrana Palace • Dimitar Petkov Further information • WikiProject Bulgaria • Bulgarian Collaboration Project • Translation into English/Bulgarian Bulgarian Empire European Union Romania Turkey Greece Serbia Republic of Macedonia The following Wikimedia sister projects provide more on this subject: What are portals? List of portals Featured portals