When did the Ottoman Empire take control of Bulgaria?

The Ottoman Empire’s conquest of Bulgaria was a gradual process that spanned several decades during the 14th century. While Ottoman forces began entering the Balkans in the 1340s, the final collapse of Bulgarian independence occurred in 1396 with the capture of the kingdom centered at Vidin.12

Key milestones in this transition included:
* 1382: The city of Sofia was seized by Ottoman forces.1
* 1388: The town of Shumen fell to the Ottomans.1
* 1393: The capital city of Tărnovo was captured and burned following a three-month siege.1

Following the fall of Vidin in 1396, Bulgaria entered a period known as the "Turkish yoke," which lasted until 1878. During this time, the region was integrated into the Ottoman administrative system, primarily as part of the province of Rumelia.34