Dobrich is one of Bulgaria's 28 provinces. It is located in the northeastern corner of the country, on the shores of the Black Sea. The county also contributes to the state borders with Romania to the north. Within Bulgaria, it is surrounded by Silistra, Shumen, and Varna provinces. Dobrich Province covers 4,720 square kilometers, which represents approximately 4.3% of Bulgaria's total area.[4] The capital city, also called Dobrich, is located in the central part of the region. The city's origins can be traced back to the 4th or 3rd century BC when it was part of the Roman Empire.[1] Thus, there are several historical and cultural landmarks the city has to offer to its visitors. Among them are the local art gallery, the Renaissance Hall, and the St. George Temple, to name a few.[7] Concerning local geography, Dobrich's landscapes mainly consist of rolling hills and flat areas, which are used for agriculture.[4] Nature enthusiasts can visit the zoo center in the city of Dobrich, which houses and preserves local and foreign animal species in their natural habitat.[8]
The town of Dobrich offers several cultural landmarks representing tourist attractions. One such attraction is the local art gallery, originally built in the early 20th century, which houses a diverse collection of Bulgarian art. It features works by Bulgarian painters such as Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora, Dechko Uzunov, and more. Additionally, the gallery hosts a collection of paper art from various countries, showcasing the versatility of the medium through installations and collages. The building also includes ten preserved cells from its historical use as a police station, now displaying contemporary visual art. Another landmark in Dobrich is the Renaissance Hall, showcasing a collection of icons from Dobrudzha, and the Ethnographic House provides insight into the region's traditional way of life. Nearby, the Architectural-Ethnographic Complex "The Old Dobrich" continues the tradition of Dobrudzha crafts, and the temple "St. George" serves as a historic religious site.[7]
A zoo center can be found in the city of Dobrich, which houses around 350 animals of 70 different species. It distinguishes itself by providing relatively spacious living conditions. For example, the bears reside in "the largest bear enclosure on the Balkan Peninsula." Several animals roam freely within the area, including turtles, sheep, goats, and squirrels. The center fosters an environment of coexistence, and animals live together in natural enclosures, fostering symbiotic relationships. Visitors can enjoy local greenery, nature trails, and woodland landscapes. The center also participates in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation efforts, saving various animals and working to increase the population of rare species.[8]
On the shores of the Black Sea is located the Palace and Botanical Garden in Balchik, situated approximately 50 kilometers north of Varna. The palace forms an architectural and park complex that serves as a tourist attraction. Originally designed as a summer retreat for Romanian Queen Marie, the complex features a palace built by Italian architects between 1924 and 1936. It encompasses various architectural styles, including Protobulgarian, Byzantine, Roman-Arabic, Mauritanian, and Transylvanian—reflecting Queen Marie's tastes influenced by her Baháʼí Faith beliefs.
The Swiss botanist Jules Jeannys established the park complex in 1926, later expanded by Sofia University's "St. Kliment Ohridski" into a botanical garden in 1955. Notably, the garden is known for its extensive collection of large cactus species, the second-largest in Europe after Monaco. Visitors can explore an array of plant species, including spring and summer flowers, Alpine plants, water plants, ferns, protected and rare species, lianas, and flowering and evergreen plants, totaling over 3,000 species from around the world. Visitors can access the "Palace" and Botanical Garden via intercity bus service from Varna bus station.[9]
Dobrich Province's topography varies from rolling hills to flat expanses, covering parts of Ludogorie and the Dobrudja Plateau where agriculture dominates. Tyulenovo holds oil deposits, and the region also features manganese deposits, though its black coal reserves remain untapped. Furthermore, mineral springs are present within Dobrich's area. The region's rivers, such as Batovska and Suha, are relatively short and shallow. Additionally, within the province's borders are found several lakes near the Black Sea, including Lake Shablansko and Lake Durankulashko.
Dobrich region offers conditions for agriculture, with arable land and suitable climatic conditions. Foreign interest in cereal production has led to leasing large land areas. However, despite the tourism potential, especially with coastal resorts such as Albena, the territory reportedly remains underdeveloped.[4]
Lake Durankulak, or Durankulashko, is a freshwater body located near the Black Sea, separated by sand dunes and a beach strip. Covering an area of approximately four square kilometers, the lake contains two islands in its western section: the Big Island and the Small Island. This lake is home to 260 rare and endangered species, making it one of Bulgaria's preserved coastal wetlands. Notable bird species in the region include the little bittern, ferruginous duck, mute swan, western marsh harrier, and paddy field warbler. During the winter, the greater white-fronted goose, red-breasted goose, and mallard can be found there, along with significant populations of the pygmy cormorant and great white pelican.[5]
Concerning Dobrich's climatic conditions, the province has a moderately continental climate with maritime influence along the coastline.[4] August is generally the warmest month of the year in Dobrich, with an average max temperature of 29°C. The coldest month is usually January, with average temperatures dropping to 5°C. Most precipitation in Dobrich falls in June, as it tends to receive circa 83 millimeters of rainfall. On the other hand, November is the driest, with 47 millimeters of precipitation on average.[6]
Dobrich's origins can be traced back to as early as the 4th or 3rd century BC. Known as Abrittum during Roman times, it was a city within the Roman province of Moesia Inferior. Abrittum had its own diocese under the Metropolitan of Marcianopolis, although the Catholic diocese eventually declined. Archaeological discoveries in Dobrich have unearthed ruins dating from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD, as well as artifacts from the 7th to 11th centuries, including a Bulgar necropolis containing pagan graves located in the city center.[1]
In the early 11th century, Dobrudzha plains faced considerable depopulation due to Pecheneg invasions, and during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the settlements reportedly struggled to survive.
In the 16th century, a new settlement emerged at the crossroads of ancient routes connecting the Danube to the Black Sea and Eastern Europe to the Balkans. Named Hadzhioglu Pazardzhik after its Turkish merchant founder, it retained this name until 1882. According to traveler Evliya Chelebi, in 1650, it boasted 1,000 houses, 100 shops, 3 inns, 3 baths, 12 mosques, and 12 schools.
From the 17th to the 19th centuries, Dobrich was the center of arts, crafts, trade, and agriculture. Notable for weavers, coppersmiths, and more, it became known for its products. The town's cultural landscape transformed with religious and educational activities.
In 1878, Ottoman rule ended, and the town was renamed Dobrich in 1882. It witnessed periods of unsettlement during wars and occupations, finally regaining its name in 1990.[2]
Today, Dobrich's economic activities are primarily linked to agriculture, encompassing ensilage production, flour milling, baking, and the extraction of vegetable oil. Additionally, the town hosts industries involved in textiles, furniture manufacturing, and the production of parts for agricultural machinery.[3]
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