The Haskovo – Ormenio Border Crossing between Bulgaria and Greece is modern and quick. The border controls are on their respective sides of the border, with an 8 km gap between them. The actual border is closer the Greek control point. The border crossing opened in 1989 and is an alternative route to Turkey avoiding the busy border crossing at Kapikule. The distance from this crossing to the Greek – Turkey border at Kastanies is only 32 km.
Some studies have focused on the depopulation of the historic area of Thrace following its partition between, Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey in 1919. Without research it would be easy not to know that the partition led to mass migration, whilst in WW2 Ormenio was occupied by Bulgaria and 2 years later during the Greek Civil War many people died. Post war migration from the Greek side of the border to Germany left many villages uninhabited. There are currently a number of EU regional redevelopment plans in place for the area. Local border traffic includes Greek consumers taking advantage of the lower prices in Bulgaria plus the attractions of Svilengrad Casinos.
Bulgarian Border Control
A modern and straightforward border crossing with duty free shops on the Bulgarian side.
From Greece into Bulgaria
From Bulgaria into Greece
The Border
The border was marked by a small river at this point. The border control facilities were some distance from the border so it was possible to stop and look around. Welcome signs (to Bulgaria), no border markers (they were some distance away and inaccessible).
Added interest was the disused railway line and the bridge that crosses the border. The Alexandroupoli–Svilengrad railway is a 178.5 kilometres long railway connecting the port of Alexandroupoli in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece with Svilengrad in Bulgaria, via the village of Ormenio.
Despite its name, as of 2020 there is only passenger service on the section on Greek territory, between Alexandroupoli and Ormenio, as the international services to Sofia (via Svilengrad) and Istanbul (“Friendship Express”) have been suspended as of 2011.
Greek Border Control
From Bulgaria into Greece
From Greece into Bulgaria
Date of Visit; August 2022
Barry's Borderpoints 
Hi, this is not Haskovo (Haskovo is the region). Capitan Petko Voyvoda is the name of the BG side of the border, or better known as Svilengrad. Thanks for making for making such a fascinating site!
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