Did you know? Pomorie was formerly known as Ankhialo (photo)

Pomorie is a settlement with a very rich history. It has been known to people since the time of the Thracians. Here we will explore its history and the names it has borne over the centuries. And most interestingly, what the Bulgarians called it during the First Bulgarian Kingdom.

Anchialo

This is the oldest name of Pomorie known to most people. There are several different versions of the origin of this word, but the most popular one is associated with the name of Apollonia Pontica (Sozopol), the oldest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

In the modern era, Anchialo was part of the Roman Empire and gradually became an important economic center. It was linked to trade along the Black Sea coast. This became especially important after the empire split into two parts and Anchialo fell under Byzantine rule. The name itself translates as "a place located near salt—a highly valuable spice for trade.".

Bulgarian history of Pomorie

Pomorie first became part of the Bulgarian state during the time of Khan Krum – in 812.

The Bulgarians managed to maintain control of this city, and its settlement is associated with the most important event of this period, the great battle of 917 on the Achelous River. In this battle, Tsar Simeon inflicted one of the most severe defeats in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Tukhton

There are many theories about whether the Bulgarians retained the name Anchialo or whether it was something else. In most cases, the original name was retained or Bulgarianized. In this particular case, some researchers suggest that the city's name was Tukhton. Unfortunately, this thesis cannot yet be proven.

Within the Second Bulgarian State, Pomorie after 1204 frequently changed hands between Bulgarians, Romans and Latins.

The city is believed to have been destroyed in the late 14th century during the Ottoman invasion of the Balkan Peninsula. However, until 1453, it was part of the Byzantine Empire. After the fall of Constantinople, Anchialo fell into Ottoman hands.

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Ottoman history of Pomorie

Here we find one piece of evidence that the city was given a Roman name. The Ottomans christened the city Achiola, their version of Anchialo. Of course, before the Ottomans arrived in the Balkans, the city was part of Byzantium, and they most likely adopted the latter name.

Under the Ottoman Empire, Anchialo was populated primarily by Greeks engaged in trade and fishing. This is evidenced by the fact that in 1870, Anchialo was not included in the newly established Bulgarian Exarchate. This demonstrates that the Greek population significantly outnumbered the Bulgarian population.

Pomorie is back in Bulgarian hands

After the Liberation, Anchialo became part of the newly created Eastern Rumelia. After the Unification of 1885, Anchialo was officially annexed to Bulgaria.

This led to the resettlement of many Bulgarians from various unliberated areas of Bulgarian soil. This also led to many Greeks emigrating to Greece. Thus, gradually, especially after the Balkan Wars and the influx of refugees into Bulgaria, Anchialo regained its distinctively Bulgarian character.

Eventually, in 1934, Anchialo was renamed Pomorie.