Silistra is the most eastern Bulgarian port town on the Danube. Here starts the land frontier between Bulgaria and Romania. The first written document to mention the existence of the town dates back to the year 106. Fifty years later, as an administrative and industrial centre, as well as an important customs station, Durostorum was in its heyday: there were large and magnificent public buildings, shrines, basilicas, public baths and private houses, marble statues and bas-reliefs, water supply system…

Over the centuries Silistra’s fortress walls have witnessed battles, waged by Thracians, Romans, ancient Greeks and Byzantines, Bulgarians, Russians, Romanians and Turks. Obviously the town well deserved the name the ancient Romans gave it - Durostorum means strong fortress. Nowadays, a museum on one of the hills outside the town, in the Medzhoditabia exhibits a collection of a Roman helmet-mask dated back to the 2nd century, a marble statue of Demeter - the goddess of fertility, sundials with the images of Isis and Seraspis.

One of the most interesting ancient tombs ever found on the territory of Bulgaria has been uncovered not far from Silistra. It dates back to the 4th century - the time when Emperor Theodosius ruled. It is remarkable for its ornate decoration. The walls and the domes of the tomb are covered with paintings attracting scholars and lovers of the arts with their mysticism and perfection. The tomb has been declared one of the rare monuments of art dating from the Late Antiquity.
Today Silistra is one of Bulgaria’s busiest ports on the Danube. It is part of the so-called Rousse port complex. At harvest time and when the grapes are picked from the vineyards Silistra turns into a real horn of plenty. Around the town are nearly half of the apricot tree plantations in Bulgaria. Apricots are also grown to produce the famous aromatic apricot brandy /so called kaisieva rakija/.