History (original) (raw)

Balchik reminded of a God forsaken place of the romantic Orient when, in 1913 and for a certain period of time, it became part of Romanian territory. A lot of artists and poets fell in love with it, later Queen Marie of Romania spotted that picturesque locality by the river and decided to have her summer residence built there – her “Quiet Nest” at the seaside.

This is not a palace like any other, there are no imposing stately buildings, there isn’t any aspiration of grandeur or mighty power. The impression is quite different. Everything created by human hand is designed so well to match the surrounding landscape, as if it has always been here - the little stone villas covered with red Turkish tiles, which used to be the home of the Queen, her family and entourage, are everywhere around the magnificent park. The alleys find their way winding by the tall poplar trees, even the three lonely water mills are still here…

In 1913 following the end of the Second Balkan War Bulgaria had to sign the Bucharest Peace Treaty and cede the territory of South Dobroudzha to Romania. For a short time in 1918, the whole of Dobroudzha, up to the mouth of the Danube was ceded back to Bulgaria, but only a few days later Prime Minister Andrey Lyapchev signed an agreement with the Allies in Thessaloniki, which was actually the capitulation of Bulgaria after World War I. The rule of Romania over Southern Dobroudzha, Balchik included, established in 1919 with the Neuilly Peace Treaty, lasted until 1940 with the signing of Craiova Agreement. Balchik remained within Romanian territory for over 27 years.

The annexation of Northern Dobroudzha to Romania and the opportunities of greater control on navigation on the lower Danube gave significant economic and political advantages to the Romanian state. A number of actions were taken towards the consolidation of Romanian rule in the area, with the enlarging of the port of Constanta as a gateway of Romania to the world. The establishing of Romanian rule in that area put an end to local Bulgarian administration, followed by systematic suppression of Bulgarian school and church activity.

A tragic consequence of the war was the loss of Southern Dobroudzha. By the treaty of Bucharest 10th Aug. 1913 the Bulgarian-Romanian border passed from the river Danube at Toutrakan to the Black Sea to the south of the village of Ekrene (Kranevo). At the end of World War I the signing of the Peace Treaty in Neuilly brought to the official loss of Southern Dobroudzha, The Western Outlands (the districts of Tzaribod, Bosilegrad, Stroumitsa) as well as Western Thrace. In this way Bulgaria lost a territory of a total of 11 278 sq. km. The political regime and new administration in Southern Dobroudzha was no different from the one in the north of Dobroudzha.

With the outbreak of World War II the Dobroudzha issue was to be solved in the light of new circumstances, after the new political changes in Europe. Diplomatic shuttles followed, which led to the Bulgarian–Romanian negotiations in Craiova on 19th Aug. 1940. The Romanian delegation had territorial demands (mostly over Silistra and Balchik). After a series of negotiations they signed the Treaty of Craiova on 07.09.1940, under its terms Romania ceded back Southern Dobroudzha to Bulgaria.

The Treaty defined the new Bulgarian–Romanian border as “final and lasting forever”. The border runs from the Danube, just below Silistra reaching the Black Sea about 8km south of Mangalia.