Aytos has a rich and long history dating back to antiquity. Founded by
Thracian tribes, archaeological finds near the town testify that its existence dates back to the 5th century BC. Throughout the centuries, the town has been known under different names including
Aetòs (in
Greek Αετός meaning eagle),
Astòs (Αστός),
Eidos (Είδος),
Aquilia,
Tchengis, etc. During the reign of Khan
Tervel, the region was incorporated in the
Bulgarian Empire for the first time. The fortress
Aetos took an important part in the defensive system of the Bulgarian lands against the sudden attacks of the
Tatars, the
Avars and the
Crusaders. In 1206, Aytos together with many cities in Bulgarian province of
Thrace was destroyed by the Crusaders, led by
Henry of Flanders. Henry of Flanders was a brother of
Baldwin I, emperor of
Latin Empire of Constantinople. A fortified city was rebuilt at 1488. In 1378 the town was conquered by the armies of the
Ottoman Empire under
Murad I. During the
Russian-Turkish War (1828–1829), General
Hans Karl von Diebitsch turned the town into a strategic strong point. After the
Treaty of Edirne in 1829, many of the town's citizens fled to
Bessarabia to join the
Bessarabian Bulgarians. During the
Bulgarian National Revival the population participated in the Bulgarian struggles for liberation.
Vasil Levski organized a revolutionary committee in the town. After the Liberation, Aytos became a commercial center, reputedly more important than
Burgas. The first girls' agricultural school in the country was established in Aytos during the period. == Transport ==