Secrets of the First Brothels in Burgas: Legends from the Early 20th Century

Every city has its secrets, passed on by word of mouth, but never discussed openly. This is also true of the first brothels in Burgas from the beginning of the 20th century. We can judge this part of the history of the then very rapidly prospering city mostly from urban legends. Here's what they say:

As early as the end of the 19th century, the need for brothels in Burgas was already pressing. Like every self-respecting port city, in ours, the services of the priestesses of love were not just a hidden desire, but a very, as we would say today, promising niche. The municipal officials understood this, and they considered that it would be best to legalize and regulate the activities of such establishments. The first step towards realizing the idea was to determine a fee that the owners and the people working there had to pay. 200 leva per month and 10 leva from each book of a priestess of love provided peace, police supervision and medical control.

The most suitable part of the city for this type of activity turned out to be the area around Torgovska Street, known today as "Ferdinandova." It was close to the port, where the main clientele came from, and the labyrinth of narrow streets around it provided the necessary seclusion.

The people who were involved in this business at the beginning of the century were very enterprising and "open." The name of Bai Alexi and his wonderful phaeton remained in the memory of the city. Alexi came from Sliven as a young man with a certain sum of money and settled in our city with the firm intention not to remain just another resident. And he boldly set off towards his future. It involved marrying the older owner of the first brothel in Burgas. The most popular story about this colorful figure from the city's past is related to his phaeton and Prince Ferdinand. During the prince's visit to prosperous Burgas, the municipal administration asked Alexi to provide his magnificent carriage for the high-ranking guest. But the experienced horses headed towards the hidden streets around "Ferdinandova." The city chroniclers are silent about Ferdinand's reaction. However, the introduction of a completely new innovation in the city will remain Bai Alexi's most significant deed. The first public screening of cinematographic films in the world took place on December 28, 1895. Only 17 years later - in 1912, thanks to the already prominent Burgas resident, the cinema also came to Burgas. Thus, the first cinema in the city - "Borislav" - was created. In it, in addition to films, some of the most popular names of the time were presented - the operetta actresses Mimi Balkanska and Tinka Kraeva, the actor Krastyo Sarafov.

Another famous house of the priestesses of love from the past of Burgas was located in a house opposite Garov Square. There, rumors have it that each room hid a different temptation. In number one, sailors from distant countries discovered a black-eyed Greek woman, a Russian woman with golden hair awaited visitors in the second room, and among the other ladies were a red-haired Turkish woman and a swarthy Tatar woman.

True or not, these are the stories that have reached us, about the brothels in Burgas from the beginning of the 20th century, shrouded in secrets.