Varna district in the XIX. century based on Şer'iye Sicils (Kadi court records) (1830-1878)

The establishment, development and disappearance of cities from the stage of history are related to the existence, economic status, strength and collapse of the states. However, the maritime cities such as Varna, which are commercial centers with a significant geopolitical position, have managed to preserve their existence for centuries. When the states were strong, the economy of these cities improved and their prosperity and populations increased. Those cities were exposed to invasions, sieges, exiles and migrations, as they could not be adequately protected when the state weakened, and even though they were in a bad state, they still continued their existence. Considered as the maritime capital in the historical process, Varna has experienced both its advantages and disadvantages and has had a city life and order ahead of its time both technologically and economically. There have been changes in the population of Varna over the centuries due to the wars and migrations. Varna, which remained in peace and security for centuries except for the Kazakh attacks under the rule of the Ottoman State, was destroyed in the Ottoman-Russian War of 1828-1829 and then rebuilt by the state. It was the center of the allied armies in the 1856 Crimea War. After this war, it became one of the centers of migrations that reached gigantic proportions. The city also struggled with epidemics along with wars and great migrations at the same time. Varna, which is an international trade center in the Balkans, has continued its commercial and socio-economic existence with the Ottoman institutions and the existence of the state, despite everything. After the 1878 Ottoman-Russian War, it became an Ottoman city dominated by the Muslim population until it was left to the Bulgarian Principality with the Treaty of Berlin.