Quick facts about Town of Silistra
In Bulgarian Alphabets: Силистра
Location: North-East Bulgaria
Distance to capital city: 357 km from Sofia
Latitude: 44.117 N
Longitude: 27.267 E
Altitude: 0 - 49 m above sea level
Province: Silistra District
Municipality: Silistra Municipality
Area size of Town of Silistra: 27.159 sq km
Population of Town of Silistra: 39 148 inhabitants (to 01/01/2007)
Post code (ZIP): 7500
Phone code: 086 from Bulgaria, 0035986 from outside

History
There are very few Bulgarian towns that can compete with Silistra in richness of historical past. The town is the successor of the Roman Durostorum (translated as "solid fortress", built by Emperor Trayan). It was first mentioned in 105. In 169 during the reign of emperor Marcus Aurelius Durostorum became a municipal - an independent town (in 1969 people celebrated 1800th anniversary of the town) that domineered as a centre of the Roman province of Dolna Mizia. The town was one of the early centres, which promoted Christianity. In 303 the soldier Dazius was beheaded, and the local inhabitant  Emilian perished on the stake; both of them were partisans of the new Christian faith. They were declared saints and included in the catholic calendar.
The great commander Flavius Aecius was born here; he was the one who defeated Atila, the Huns' leader whom the inhabitants of Rome had considered a real horror. The successor of Rome, i.e. Byzantium, restored the ruins of the town during the reign of emperor Justinian in 6th century and gave it the name of Dorostol. Until 600 it had been an episcopal centre.
The Bulgarians called it Drustar and after the adoption of Christianity it became the main religious centre in the country. Under the Byzantine rule it was a main town in the region Podounavie. In 1074 a rebellion against the Byzantine under the leadership of Nestor broke off. The town was an important fortress of the Bulgarian kingdom in 13th - 14th centuries. In 1388 the Romanian leader Mircha Stari conquered the town, and after 1413 it was within the territory of the Ottoman Empire.
The town received its present day name during the Turkish rule as a result  of the preceding Diristur and Dristra. The poet Partenius Pavlovich was born in Silistra in 1695. During the Russian-Turkish wars at the end of 18th century and the first half of 19th century the great Russian generals Roumyantsev, Souvorov, Bagration, Koutouzov, Dibich Zabalkanski took part in battles near the fortress of Silistra (in fact there were were two fortresses of Silistra - Medgeditabia and Arabtabia on both hills above the town) which later on became part of the defensive rectangular of the Turkish empire (Rouschouk - Silistra - Varna - Shoumen).
In 1958 the inhabitants of Silistra received as a present  the key to the fortress of Silistra which had been seized as a trophy on 12 June 1810 by generals Kamenski and Koutouzov, and kept in Sanct Petersburg. Between 1828  and 1835 Silistra was a free town as a result of its conquest by the Russian army with captain Georgi Mamarchev at the lead (a Bulgarian in Russian service). The great writer Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy took part in the Russian siege in 1854. In 1812 a monastery school was established, and in 1891 - a pedagogical school, in Silistra. The Swiss Louie Aier spent some time teaching physical education (his name was associated with popularising a number of sports in Bulgaria) in the town (as well as Russe and Lom) and died as an officer in World War I near Doyran. From 1913 till 1940 the was within the boundaries of Romania.

Landmarks
The Town Museum of History (in the central part of the town). The Ethnographic Museum. In 1942 a Roman tomb was recovered (4th century, from the time of emperor Theodosius I). It was a tomb with arches, 3.20 m wide and 3.60 m long. The most intereseting thing in it are the frescoes. It is situated in the south-eastern part of the town, at 7th September str. The Roman Necropolis of an eminent magistrate from the time of emperor Prob (276 - 282). He had been buried together with his horses and chariot made of electron (gold and platinum) have been preserved. Parts of the antique Roman fortress and the border fortification were discovered at different places in the town and along the bank of Danube River (in the town park). The Art Gallery is located in the centre, at 120 Simoen Veliki blvd.
There is a Drama Theatre named after Sava Dobroplodni (in the central part of the town). Silistra is a university centre. There is a Higher Pedagogical School, branch of Russe University.

Surrounding areas
In the immediate proximity above the town is The Krepostta Park (The Fortress). There is a rich archaelogical museum in it.
The Srebarna Biosphere Reserve is 16 km west of Silistra near a village having the same name. It comprises the Lake of Srebarna and the surrounding slopes of the Danubian bank occupying a territory of 600 hectares. In the periphery the lake is overgrown with cane and bulrush verdure, water lilies, marsh marigold, marsh fern, duckweed, etc. Various kinds of birds nest here - some 150 protected species of marsh birds like pelicans (the only colony in Bulgaria), black coots, water swallow, egrets, ibis, wild geese, 11 species of wild ducks, etc. Six species of fish, tortoises, snakes, etc. inhabit the area. There is a museum arranged. Felix Kanits who visited in the second half 19th century called the lake "the Eldorado of marsh birds". Being natural heritage of world significance the Srebarna Reserve is under the protection of UNESCO. There is regular bus transport from the town.
Eight kilometres west of Silistra is the biggest village in Bulgaria called Aidemir (7044 inhabitants). There is a regular public bus line to and from it.
The Danube River in the region of Silistra offers numerous opportunities for excursion tours, sunbathes, rest, water sports, water tourism.
Half of all apricot orchards of Bulgaria grow in the region of Silistra.