Silistra, town, extreme northeastern Bulgaria, on the Danube River opposite Romania. To the south and southeast are the remains of the old fortifications. The Romans founded a fortified camp at Durostorum in the early 2nd century ad. The medieval town that sprang from it, known as Drastar, stood against both Russian and Byzantine invasions. The Turks gained possession of the town in the early 15th century, and it became a trade centre and a major Turkish fortress. It was fought over several times in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78) and passed to Bulgaria in 1878. After the Second Balkan War (1913) it became part of Romania, reverting to Bulgaria in 1940.
The present town is modern, with industries that produce textiles, furniture, brick, and tile, as well as matting, packaging materials, and boards from rushes. Its river port has a large grain traffic, and the town has a rail link to the Ruse-Varna line. Silistra lies in a fertile agricultural region that is especially noted for livestock, grains, beans, sugar beets, and viticulture. Pop. (2004 est.) 39,929.