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Toutrakan is one of the oldest and most intriguing Danube River towns in Bulgaria. It is situated midway between Rousse and Silistra, nearly 60 km away from each of the towns.
The town’s buildings are arranged amphitheatrically on a hill that reaches the Danube bank. Toutrakan faces the Danube. People in the region have long developed fishing and sailing, in connection to the proximity of the river.
Archaeological finds show that the region was populated in ancient times. During Roman times, a fortress was constructed. It carried the name Transmariska meaning beyond the swamps, a name also related to the nearby river.
Settlers from Asia Minor were the first to inhabit the region. The settlement initially acted as a military enforcement that protected the Roman border along the Danube. It kept this function until the 7th century.
Slavs attacked the settlement but it came back to life in the 9th century, when Bulgarians settled in the region. A major fortification system was quickly set up there. In the end of the 10th century the town became Byzantine. Though it regained its independence, Toutrakan soon fell under new foreign domination, this time Ottoman.
During the revival period, Toutrakan became famous as the birth town of many famous Bulgarians. It gained its independence in 1878.
With the liberation, Toutrakan turned into a culture and commerce center. In the beginning of the 20th century, it had six schools and several printing houses of national importance. Fishery and shipping developed even further and more than half of the locals were involved in the two.
From 1913 to 1916 and later, until 1940, Toutrakan was part of Romania.
Today the town welcomes visitors with its numerous landmarks. The remains of the ancient Transmariska fortress feature among the most important.
Ribarska Mahala (fishing neighborhood) architecture preserve has been maintained in its original looks. Some of the houses have been homes of hundreds of fishermen families. Visitors can learn more about the lifestyle of these people, as the preserve is one of a kind fishermen’s village. It is situated meters away from the river bank.
St. Nikolai church was constructed in 1865, making use of the donations of local people. During the Romanian occupation, the church suffered several assaults and many books in Bulgarian were destroyed.
The ethnographic museum shows the lifestyle of Toutrakan residents. A big part of the exposition has been dedicated to Danube fishing and sailing.
Voenna Grobnitsa (military tomb) memorial complex is situated eight km away from the town. It honors the bravery of Bulgarian and Romanian soldiers, who died during the historic Toutrakan battle. They were honored for the first time in 1917, one year after the battle. Gradually, a chapel, a park and an alley were added to the complex. Visitors can also take a look at the names of all soldiers who lost their lives.
Another Toutrakan landmark in Teodorova house, which hosts the town’s history museum. The building carries the typical for the 19th century architecture style. Locals say it is an exact replica of a Vienna edifice. Merchant Dimitar Teodorov owned the house and the museum was moved there in 1993.
Several natural landmarks can be explored in the vicinities of Toutrakan. The swamp region Kalimok – Brushlen is one of them. The region is home of many bird species, some of which endangered.
Sunsets in Toutrakan happen to be some of the prettiest to be seen in the country. River water captures the final sunrays and creates wonderful effect.
Visitors can also schedule their trip to Toutrakan according to the several events that take place in the town. The apricot festival occurs in the beginning of July and the day of the river happens in the end of August. Toutrakan’s day is September 21.
Toutrakan has several hotels and restaurants. Make sure to try the various fish delicacies that restaurants offer. The fish soup prepared there is among the best in the country.
The town’s buildings are arranged amphitheatrically on a hill that reaches the Danube bank. Toutrakan faces the Danube. People in the region have long developed fishing and sailing, in connection to the proximity of the river.
Archaeological finds show that the region was populated in ancient times. During Roman times, a fortress was constructed. It carried the name Transmariska meaning beyond the swamps, a name also related to the nearby river.
Settlers from Asia Minor were the first to inhabit the region. The settlement initially acted as a military enforcement that protected the Roman border along the Danube. It kept this function until the 7th century.
Slavs attacked the settlement but it came back to life in the 9th century, when Bulgarians settled in the region. A major fortification system was quickly set up there. In the end of the 10th century the town became Byzantine. Though it regained its independence, Toutrakan soon fell under new foreign domination, this time Ottoman.
During the revival period, Toutrakan became famous as the birth town of many famous Bulgarians. It gained its independence in 1878.
With the liberation, Toutrakan turned into a culture and commerce center. In the beginning of the 20th century, it had six schools and several printing houses of national importance. Fishery and shipping developed even further and more than half of the locals were involved in the two.
From 1913 to 1916 and later, until 1940, Toutrakan was part of Romania.
Today the town welcomes visitors with its numerous landmarks. The remains of the ancient Transmariska fortress feature among the most important.
Ribarska Mahala (fishing neighborhood) architecture preserve has been maintained in its original looks. Some of the houses have been homes of hundreds of fishermen families. Visitors can learn more about the lifestyle of these people, as the preserve is one of a kind fishermen’s village. It is situated meters away from the river bank.
St. Nikolai church was constructed in 1865, making use of the donations of local people. During the Romanian occupation, the church suffered several assaults and many books in Bulgarian were destroyed.
The ethnographic museum shows the lifestyle of Toutrakan residents. A big part of the exposition has been dedicated to Danube fishing and sailing.
Voenna Grobnitsa (military tomb) memorial complex is situated eight km away from the town. It honors the bravery of Bulgarian and Romanian soldiers, who died during the historic Toutrakan battle. They were honored for the first time in 1917, one year after the battle. Gradually, a chapel, a park and an alley were added to the complex. Visitors can also take a look at the names of all soldiers who lost their lives.
Another Toutrakan landmark in Teodorova house, which hosts the town’s history museum. The building carries the typical for the 19th century architecture style. Locals say it is an exact replica of a Vienna edifice. Merchant Dimitar Teodorov owned the house and the museum was moved there in 1993.
Several natural landmarks can be explored in the vicinities of Toutrakan. The swamp region Kalimok – Brushlen is one of them. The region is home of many bird species, some of which endangered.
Sunsets in Toutrakan happen to be some of the prettiest to be seen in the country. River water captures the final sunrays and creates wonderful effect.
Visitors can also schedule their trip to Toutrakan according to the several events that take place in the town. The apricot festival occurs in the beginning of July and the day of the river happens in the end of August. Toutrakan’s day is September 21.
Toutrakan has several hotels and restaurants. Make sure to try the various fish delicacies that restaurants offer. The fish soup prepared there is among the best in the country.
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Toutrakan