Trade

According to various sources and travellers, the Bulgarians who settled in these lands were actively engaged in trade. This intensive foreign trade provided substantial state revenues, which were used to build new roads, fortresses and trading centres.

In 716, Kan Tervel concluded a treaty with Byzantium regulating trade between the Bulgarians and the empire. Under this treaty, Bulgarian merchants were entitled to import goods into Byzantium, while Byzantine merchants could bring goods into Bulgaria. A permanent Bulgarian market was established in the imperial capital, Constantinople, where trade flourished.

After ascending the throne, Simeon decided to end the longstanding peace with the Byzantine Empire established by his father. The cause of the conflict was the transfer of the market for Bulgarian goods from Constantinople to Thessaloniki and the imposition of heavy taxes by Emperor Leo VI the Philosopher, who appears to have been influenced by his mistress, Zoe Zaoutzaina, and her father, Stylianos Zaoutzes. The relocation and increased taxes were disastrous for Bulgarian trade. Bulgarian merchants appealed to Simeon for help. He consequently complained to Leo VI, who disregarded their requests. In response, Tsar Simeon began a war in the autumn of 894. At the war’s end, Leo VI the Philosopher concluded a peace treaty, undertaking to pay annual tribute to Bulgaria and restoring the market to Constantinople.

At the beginning of the 14th century, the successful actions of Tsar Theodore Svetoslav (1300–1321) and the removal of Tatar influence strengthened the Bulgarian state. This benefited the economic development of the region known to Western merchants as Zagore. Cereal production increased, animal husbandry and crafts developed, and trade expanded. Black Sea ports became part of trading networks with the Italian city-republics, significantly influencing economic life and monetary circulation. Bulgarian ports became important trading centres for grain, hides, wax and other raw materials. Although European trade records contain no information about goods from the Bulgarian lands before the early 14th century, a Florentine handbook of 1315 mentions “Zagore wax”, traded at a price of 8 Venetian ducats.

Other records note the high quality and prices of wheat, hides, wax and barley from Black Sea ports such as Varna and Zagora. In the first half of the 14th century, wheat shipped through Varna became a principal export. Venetian documents from 1318 to 1403 attest to trade in wheat from Varna, including instances in which Venetian ships carrying it were robbed. Tsar Ivan Alexander ordered the detention of ships belonging to prominent Venetian merchants because compensation for damages had not been paid. This led to the conclusion of a Bulgarian–Venetian treaty in 1347. The treaty regulated various aspects of trade, including shipping, harbour fees and customs duties, and a Venetian consulate was established in Varna. Following the unsuccessful war with Genoa and the signing of the Treaty of Turin in 1381, Venetian merchants faced serious difficulties in their activities at Black Sea ports, including Varna. The treaty prohibited Venetians from travelling in the lands of Zagore. This ban significantly restricted Venetian trade in the region.

After the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire, Varna became part of the Ottoman Empire. During this period it again became an important port, trading centre, administrative hub and fortress, but within the Ottoman Empire. The port of Varna, together with neighbouring Galata and Kastitsi, appears on numerous European maps and portolan charts. They are always marked in red, emphasising the importance of the port. Various documents also mention sailors from Varna hired by Genoese ships, testifying to the town’s importance in international maritime trade.