Every town has its secrets, which spread from person to person, but are never discussed out loud. It was the same with the first brothels in Burgas from the beginning of the 20^th century. For this part of the history of, what once was - a fast prospering city, we can mainly depend on the urban legends. Here is what their stories tell:

Even in the late 19^th century the pressing need for brothels in Burgas was tangible. Like in every other self-respecting seaport city, the services of the mistresses of love were not only a hidden desire, but as we might say today, a promising niche. The people at the municipality came to the same realization; they considered that it was best to legalize and regulate such institutions. The first step towards the realization of the idea was to establish a fee that the proprietors and the people working in the brothels must pay. 200 Bulgarian Levs a month and 10 Levs for every love mistress ensured harmony and both police and medical supervision.

The most convenient part of the city for such an activity was the area around the “Trader’s Street”, more commonly known as “Ferdinandova Street”. It was both close to the seaport, hence close to the main clientele, and situated where the labyrinth of narrow streets around it provided the necessary privacy.

The people, who worked in this business in the beginning of the century, were known as big entrepreneurs and “pushy” individuals. In the city’s memory remain the name of Bai Aleksi and his lovely carriage. A young man with some money, Aleksi settled in our city with the firm intention to become something more than just another of its dwellers. And so he did by courageously pursuing his future. It included marriage with a more mature woman than him, the proprietor of the first brothel in Burgas. The most popular story about this spirited man from the city’s past is connected with his carriage and Knyaz Ferdinand. During his visit in prospering Burgas the people working in the municipality asked Alexi to offer his magnificent vehicle to the royal guest. However, the experienced horses headed towards the winding streets around “Ferdinandova Street”. For the reaction of Knyaz Ferdinand the urban chroniclers remain silent. Despite all, the introduction to an absolute innovation in the city will remain the most prominent deed of Bai Aleksi. The first public screening of cinematographic films in the world happened on 28^th December 1895. Only 17 years later – during 1912, thanks to the then already distinguished cinematograph from Burgas, film screening becomes reality in our city. Thus was created the first cinema in the town – “Borislav”. In it apart from film projections took place performances from the most popular names back then – operetta actresses Mimi Balkanska and Tinka Kraeva and the actor Krаstуo Sarafov.

Another famous brothel in Burgas’ past was in a house across the station square. Rumors have it that in every room there a different hidden temptation awaited.

True or not, these are the stories that have reached us, regarding the, veiled in secrets, brothels of Burgas in the beginning of 20^th century.

Text: Gergana Kostova

Magazine “Vij! Burgas”, vol. 13