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

Bulgaria’s National Museum of Military History offers a free audio-visual journey through war and art

The newest exhibition at the National Museum of Military History in Sofia, 'War and the Creatives: A Journey Through Darkness' opens today, offering free entry as a gesture to those who were unable to visit during the recent renovations. Rather than..

published on 11/28/25 8:25 AM

Footsteps of Cumans, Pechenegs, and DNA reveal the secrets of Ryahovets fortress near Gorna Oryahovitsa

A 5,000-year-long history lies hidden in the ruins of the medieval fortress “Ryahovets” near the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa where active excavations began ten years ago. On this occasion, on November 17, the Historical Museum in Gorna Oryahovitsa..

published on 11/26/25 10:50 AM

Roman engineering genius comes to life beneath the streets of ancient Ratiaria

Just days ago, archaeologists uncovered part of the complex underground infrastructure that once served the Roman baths of Ratiaria - one of the most important ancient cities in Bulgaria’s northwest. Founded in the 1st century in the area of..

published on 11/23/25 10:15 AM