Greece returns Tsar Samuel's remains to Bulgaria after decades of dispute as Athens eyes Parthenon marbles deal
From the Newshound archive · first published 3 October 2026 · last updated 4 October 2026.
Thousands of Bulgarians lined Sofia's streets on Saturday to welcome Tsar Samuel's remains, which arrived with a fighter jet escort, a 21-gun salute and a procession to the Church of St Sophia. Samuel, who fought the Byzantine Empire until his defeat in 1014, is a foundational symbol of Bulgarian national identity. Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined his Bulgarian counterpart Rumen Radev at the ceremony in Thessaloniki, describing the handover as "much deeper than a simple cultural exchange."
Mitsotakis expressed hope that the gesture would bolster Athens's push to recover the Parthenon marbles from the British Museum.
Bulgaria is reciprocating by returning 48 sacred religious relics — icons, crosses and vestments — taken from Greek monasteries by Bulgarian troops in 1917.
Tsar Samuel's remains were unearthed in a Greek border region six decades ago; critics argue Bulgaria gave too little in return.
More
The GuardianRemains of medieval czar return to Bulgaria after decades-long dispute with GreeceThe IndependentRemains of medieval ruler Czar Samuel will arrive in Bulgaria after decades of talks with GreeceУкраїнські Національні Новини (УНН)After decades of negotiations: the remains of Tsar Samuel returned from Greece to Bulgaria - Українські Національні Новини (УНН)Ottumwa CourierRemains of medieval king Czar Samuel arrive in Bulgaria after decades of talks with Greece - Ottumwa CourierPA Media on MSNRemains of medieval ruler Tsar Samuel returning to BulgariaDW.comFollowing decades of negotiations, Greece returns remains of Czar Samuel to Bulgaria - DW.comDW International Edition on MSNGreece returns remains of Czar Samuel to BulgariaInformat.roThe remains of Tsar Samuel return to Bulgaria/ Athens hopes the gesture will support the request for the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles - Informat.roHampshire ChronicleRemains of medieval ruler Czar Samuel returning to Bulgaria - Hampshire ChronicleThe National HeraldRemains of Medieval Ruler Czar Samuel Will Arrive in Bulgaria After Decades of Talks With Greece (Photos)tovima.comRemains Associated with Tsar Samuel Handed to Bulgaria; Ecclesiastical Relics Return to Greece - tovima.comNewsflare on MSNGreece hands over Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria - Bulgarian honour guard receives Tsar Samuel’s remains in Greece
