History of Pomorie

The earliest proof of human activity discovered in Pomorie go back to the Neolithic Age (6th millennium BC). There are also traces from the Chalcolithic Age (5th millennium BC), the Bronze Age (3rd-2nd millennium BC) and the Iron Age (end of the 2nd millennium BC). The city was established under the name Anhialo in the 5th century BC. Most of its residents were Thracians. From its creation up until the start of the last century, it was and still is the most essential seaside city in the Bulgarian lands.

In ancient Anhialo (Pomorie) Christianity permeates at the end of 1st century. According to a legend of St. Apostle Andrew en route to Kiev that went through the Black Sea city, which then was a large administrative and port centre within the Roman Empire. At the time of the Emperor Diocletian (284-305) from Phrygia, Anchialo was a spiritual centre and in spite of persecutions in 3rd-4th century reports mention a presence of bishops in the city.

In 5th-6th century the Anhialo church was proclaimed archbishop. Christianity became a main faith of the Eastern Roman Empire – Byzantium. The legend tells that in the 7th century, in this location there was a temple or abbey devoted to St. George the Martyr.

The town maintained its tactical position in the Middle Ages. Frequently its area ended up being a scene of violent fights in between the Bulgarians and the Byzantines and the control over the town changed often times from one camp to the other. In 1453 Anchialus was dominated by the Ottomans. Throughout the 2nd half of the 18th century and the very first half of the 19th century, the seaside town worked as an administrative centre. The town was freed from the Ottoman guideline on 26 January (7 February inning accordance with the brand-new calendar) 1878.

After being freed from Ottomans, Anhialo stayed within the Eastern Rumelia until the Unification of Bulgaria in 1885. Anhialo continued to establish after the Liberation – the regional residents started vine-growing, wine production, fishing and salt production. The production of salt was already crucial for Pomorie Region. Fishing likewise played a considerable part of the economy of the town.

Throughout the history Anhialo was set on fire and damaged by the Goths, Avars, fires and natural catastrophes, unfortunately as a result not many old buildings are left today. On 30 July 1906 the Greek part of the city was on fire and completely destroyed for the last time in response to the massacre in Andartsko Zagoriche and most of its residents were required to emigrate to Greece, where settlements Nea Anchialos, Anchialos and Evksinupolis were based.

In 1934 the ancient name Anhialo was altered to Pomorie.

Nowadays, due to a great deal of residential and commercial properties purchased by Russians Pomorie now has a new quarter called “Little Russia” occupied generally by Russians. It is among the biggest Russian-speaking diaspora (c. 4,000 Russian residents) on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria.