Text size

104 years since the annexation of the Western Outlands

published on 11/5/24 6:39 PM

The signing of the Treaty of Neuilly, 1919.

Photo: Archive

Today, 6 November, marks 104 years since the annexation of the Western Outlands in 1920. Traditionally Bulgarian territories in south-eastern Serbia and northern Macedonia were ceded to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1920 as a result of the Treaty of Neuilly (1919).

Between 6 and 8 November 1920, without waiting for the international commission to determine the exact new border with Bulgaria that their government wanted, Serbian troops occupied parts of the regions of Tsaribrod, Bosilegrad, Kula and Tran.

Marking the new border line near Belogradchik. Photo: Personal archive of Nikolai Tomov from Vidin

An area of 1,545 square kilometres with a population of 64,509 was taken from Bulgaria. The new border cut through 25 Bulgarian villages, dividing houses, yards, fields, springs, wells, cemeteries, roads, families, relatives and friends. As a result of these events, more than 30,000 Bulgarians emigrated to Bulgaria, and later about 5,000 of them emigrated to Western Europe and America, according to the Cultural Information Centre (CIC) "Bosilegrad".

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria History and religion 104 annexation western outlands

More from category

Underwater archaeologists reveal the secrets of Taukliman Bay on Bulgaria's northern Black Sea coast

Underwater archaeological research has been completed in Taukliman Bay (also known as Bird Bay) , located about 6 km northeast of Cape Kaliakra. Dozens of archaeological sites of great historical value have been located in its vicinity: caves used in..

published on 7/14/25 9:46 AM

Father Matey Preobrazhenski-Mitkaloto (1828–1875)

What we don’t know about Matey Preobrazhenski’s inventions

Though known mostly as one of the closest associates of Vasil Levski and a dedicated fighter for national liberation, there was actually much more to Father Matey Preobrazhenski (1828–1875) than his revolutionary efforts. Little is known about..

published on 7/12/25 11:20 AM

A new guidebook presents pilgrimage tourism routes in Bulgaria

A guidebook to the major Christian pilgrimage routes in the country was presented during the first national conference dedicated to pilgrimage tourism in Bulgaria, attended by Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh, Metropolitan Anthony of Western and..

published on 6/27/25 10:50 AM