Silistra

Border town in northeast Bulgaria, in Razgrad region, on the south bank of the River Danube, facing Romania, 110 km/69 mi from Varna; population (2001) 42,200. It is a river port with grain shipping. Founded as a Roman camp (Novae) in the 1st century AD, it became a major centre in the province of Moesia. The Turks captured and fortified the town during the early 15th century.

It was the site of the Russian Siege of Silistria 1853.