Sofia - Italy has returned Tuesday 2,200 works of art to Bulgaria, which were smuggled from the country after the fall of the Communist regime.

The prehistoric and antique works were turned over to the Historical Museum in the Bulgarian capital Sofia.

Among them were Thracian and Roman bronze and silver figures, jars and coins. The ancient pieces were confiscated from two Bulgarian families in Italy.

Bulgaria's Communist party voluntarily gave up power in 1990 after demonstrations calling for political reforms. (dpa)