First Notes on the Professional Structure of the Christian Population in the Town of Svishtov, Mid-19th Century Cover Image

Първи бележки върху професионалната структура на християнското население на град Свищов в средата на XIX в.
First Notes on the Professional Structure of the Christian Population in the Town of Svishtov, Mid-19th Century

Author(s): Gergana Georgieva
Subject(s): History, Economy, Micro-Economics, Economic history, Local History / Microhistory, Social history, Modern Age
Published by: Център за стопанско-исторически изследвания
Keywords: Balkan economic development in the 19th century; Danubian harbors; Svishtov; trade between Bulgarian lands and Wallachia; Bulgarian merchants

Summary/Abstract: The article presents new information on the socio-economic development of Svishtov in the 19th c. extracted from unpublished Ottoman documents. In the 19th c. Svishtov developed as one of the main Danubian harbors in the Lower Danube which played crucial role in trade relations between Bulgarian lands, Wallachia and Central Europe. It is characterized by intensive economic progress, based mainly on trade and production of clothes and shoes. The new primary sources reveal details about its socio-economic structure. There was a high level of specialization of merchants – salt trade was one of its basic characteristics. It is also evident the predominance of the small scale merchandise. The land transport was as well presented as water transport. The relatively well-developed economy of Svishtov is presented also by the high annual income declared by the taxpayers.

  • Issue Year: II/2017
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 287-300
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Bulgarian