Varosh

Varosh (also spelled Varos, Varos, or Varoš, and occasionally anglicized to Varosha) generally refers to a settlement or neighborhood outside the inner city walls or fortifications of a larger town or city in certain Central and Eastern European regions. It often denotes a suburb, an outer town, or a district that developed outside the original core of the city. The term implies a historical and often distinct character compared to the inner city.

The meaning and usage can vary depending on the specific geographic region and language. Historically, varosh areas were often inhabited by merchants, artisans, and those involved in agriculture or trade who were not necessarily part of the privileged urban elite residing within the city walls. These areas may have had different administrative structures, laws, or customs than the core city.

The term is found in various languages including Hungarian (város), Slavic languages (like Croatian, Serbian, Bulgarian: варош/varoš), Romanian, and others. The specific connotations and nuances can differ based on the local context and historical development of the region. In some cases, varosh may simply refer to a town or city in general. However, its more specific historical meaning relates to the peripheral settlements around larger fortified cities.