Bulgaria is a beautiful country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a rich history and culture dating back thousands of years. Many intriguing riddles have emerged from Bulgaria over the centuries. Below are 37 riddles about Bulgaria along with their answers.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a famous mountain range that runs through Bulgaria from west to east. I separate Northern Bulgaria from Southern Bulgaria. What am I?
Answer: The Balkan Mountains (also known as Stara Planina)
Riddle 2
I’m Bulgaria’s longest river, starting in the Rila Mountains and flowing into the Black Sea near Varna. I’m home to over 70 fish species. What river am I?
Answer: The Danube River
Riddle 3
I’m a beautiful bay and popular seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. My name means “Golden Sands” in English. What place am I?
Answer: Golden Sands (Zlatni Pyasatsi)
Riddle 4
I’m Bulgaria’s highest peak, part of the Rila Mountains. I stand 2,925 meters tall. Mount Musala is my name. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Musala
Riddle 5
I’m Bulgaria’s capital and largest city, located in the west-central part of the country. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of my iconic sites. What historic city am I?
Answer: Sofia
History Riddles
Riddle 6
I’m an ancient Thracian tomb and UNESCO World Heritage site located near Kazanlak, Bulgaria. My frescoes date back to the 4th century BC. What place am I?
Answer: The Kazanlak Tomb (Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak)
Riddle 7
I was the ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire from 893-927 AD. I’m credited with converting the Bulgarians to Christianity in 865 AD. Who am I?
Answer: Tsar Boris I
Riddle 8
I’m an important historical city founded by the Thracians in the 5th century BC. Phillip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great once ruled me. What ancient settlement am I?
Answer: Plovdiv
Riddle 9
I was a rebel leader who freed Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in the 19th century following the April Uprising and Russo-Turkish War. They call me the “Liberator.” Who am I?
Answer: Vasil Levski
Riddle 10
We established the Second Bulgarian Empire which lasted from 1185 to 1396. Our capital was Tarnovo. What dynasty were we?
Answer: The Asen Dynasty
Culture Riddles
Riddle 11
I’m a colorful embroidered bracelet that’s a traditional Bulgarian souvenir and symbol of friendship. What am I?
Answer: A martenitsa
Riddle 12
I’m a popular Bulgarian folk dance performed by a group of dancers holding hands in a closed circle. What dance am I?
Answer: The horo
Riddle 13
We’re creepy-looking figurines used in Bulgarian folk rituals for health and fertility. You’ll find us on keychains and magnets too! What are we?
Answer: Martenitsa dolls
Riddle 14
I’m a dumpling-like dish made by wrapping minced meat in cabbage or grape leaves. I’m a staple of Bulgarian cuisine. What dish am I?
Answer: Sarmi (stuffed cabbage rolls)
Riddle 15
We’re a vegetable and a dairy product combined to make a traditional Bulgarian appetizer and spread. What are we?
Answer: Shopska salad (made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and sirene cheese)
Places Riddles
Riddle 16
I’m a seaside city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. My iconic landmark is the Sea Garden, which contains over 100 years of landscape architecture. What city am I?
Answer: Burgas
Riddle 17
I’m Bulgaria’s second largest city located in the southeast part of the country near the Turkish border. The Roman fortress “Hisarya” and mineral springs can be found here. What city am I?
Answer:
Plovdiv
Riddle 18
I’m a beautiful nature park located in the Pirin Mountains of southwestern Bulgaria. I’m a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for my pine forests and over 100 glacial lakes. What park am I?
Answer: Pirin National Park
Riddle 19
I’m a historic coastal city located on the western Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. My Old Town is filled with examples of Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. What city am I?
Answer: Varna
Riddle 20
I’m a monastery located just outside Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city. Iconic figures such as Vasil Levski and Boris I of Bulgaria were once my residents. What famous monastery am I?
Answer: Rila Monastery
People Riddles
Riddle 21
I’m an actress born in Bulgaria in 1934 who went on to win Academy Awards for her roles in films like “La Vie en Rose” and “The First Night of Peace.” What is my name?
Answer: Christine Tzintzis (known professionally as Christine Edzard)
Riddle 22
I was an artist born in 1896 in Bulgaria who went on to become one of the foremost figures in 20th century photography. My iconic works include “Identical Twins.” Who am I?
Answer: Diane Arbus
Riddle 23
I’m a tennis player from Bulgaria who was the first Bulgarian to be ranked #1 in the world. I won the Australian Open in 2021. Who am I?
Answer: Grigor Dimitrov
Riddle 24
I’m a Bulgarian artist born in 1884 whose cubist paintings like “Still Life with Packages” were influential in European art. I also designed furniture and theatrical sets. Who am I?
Answer: Jules Pascin
Riddle 25
I was a philosopher, revolutionary, and writer born in Bulgaria in 1869. My most famous work is “Under the Yoke.” I’m considered a national hero in Bulgaria. Who am I?
Answer: Ivan Vazov
General Knowledge Riddles
Riddle 26
I’m Bulgaria’s currency used since 1999 when they dropped the lev. What am I?
Answer: The Bulgarian lev
Riddle 27
I’m a delicious fermented dairy product and staple of Bulgarian cuisine. I can be made from cow, sheep or buffalo milk. What am I?
Answer: Yogurt
Riddle 28
I’m the official language of Bulgaria and also the native language for over 12 million people worldwide. What language am I?
Answer: Bulgarian
Riddle 29
I’m the largest lake in Bulgaria, covering over 25 square miles near the Danube River. I’m an important wetland habitat for rare birds. What lake am I?
Answer: Lake Srebarna
Riddle 30
We were the main ethnic group inhabiting the First Bulgarian Empire from 681–1018 AD. Originally from Central Asia, we settled in the Balkans. Who are we?
Answer: The Bulgars
Tricky Riddles
Riddle 31
Some months have me twice, but I’m never in a year. What am I?
Answer: The letter “R” (in BulgaRia)
Riddle 32
I’m Bulgarian, but I’m not actually from Bulgaria. What am I?
Answer: Bulgarian yogurt (which originated in Bulgaria but can be made elsewhere)
Riddle 33
I’m a place in Bulgaria you can visit, but I’m not actually located inside the country. What am I?
Answer: The Bulgarian embassy in another country
Riddle 34
The more of me you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?
Answer: Footsteps (in Bulgaria)
Riddle 35
I’m not Bulgarian, but part of me is Bulgarian. What could I be?
Answer: I could be someone with Bulgarian heritage or ancestry.
Brain Teasers
Riddle 36
A train leaves Sofia heading south at 80 mph. Another train leaves Plovdiv heading north at 70 mph. The distance between Sofia and Plovdiv is 130 miles. When will the trains meet?
Answer: It will take the train from Sofia 1.5 hours to travel 130 miles south (130/80=1.5 hours). It will take the train from Plovdiv 1.86 hours to travel 130 miles north (130/70=1.86 hours). They will meet in 1.5 + 1.86 = 3.36 hours.
Riddle 37
Balkan the goat is tied to a 15 foot rope. How much area can Balkan graze in?
Answer: Balkan can graze in a circular area with a radius of 15 feet. The area of a circle is πr2. Plugging in r=15 feet, the area Balkan can graze in is π(15)2 = π(225) = approx. 706 square feet.
Conclusion
From geography to history, culture to trivia, Bulgaria offers a wealth of fascinating riddles to ponder. Solving these brain teasers allows us to gain greater insight into this beautiful Balkan country. How many of these 37 Bulgarian riddles and their answers did you already know? Let us know if you have any other great riddles from Bulgaria to share!
