160 years since Bulgaria’s first railway line between Ruse and Varna

On 7 November, we mark 160 years since the opening for operation of the first railway line in Bulgarian lands, connecting Ruse and Varna. On this date in 1866, the then Governor of Ruse, Midhat Pasha, travelled from Ruse to Varna without changing horses and declared the line officially open. Since then, 7 November has been regarded as the starting point of railway transport in what is now Bulgaria.

To mark the anniversary, Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) is inviting the public to visit the Transport Museum in Ruse free of charge every Saturday and Sunday throughout November. The museum is housed in the iconic building of the first railway station on the territory of Bulgaria, at 5 Bratya Obretenovi Street.

Visitors will be able to explore exhibits tracing the history of railway transport in Bulgaria. These include the first steam locomotive to run on Bulgarian soil, the Sultanie saloon carriage used by Sultan Abdulaziz, the private carriages of Tsar Ferdinand, as well as many other intriguing objects and valuable exhibits, BDZ reports.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova