An Oxfordian–lower Tithonian pelagic sedimentary succession from the Central Balkan Mts (Bulgaria) is revisited here in terms of its microfacies and calcareous dinocyst distribution. The eight successive microfacies that are recognized include: (1) bioclastic to bio-lithoclastic packstone to grainstone (MFT 1, in the underlying Bathonian); (2) filamentous wackestone to packstone (MFT 2, upper Oxfordian–upper Kimmeridgian); (3) Globuligerina wackestone (MFT 3, upper Oxfordian–upper Kimmeridgian); (4) filament-Saccocoma wackestone (MFT 4, upper Kimmeridgian); (5) Saccocoma-radiolarian wackestone (MFT 5, upper Kimmeridgian–lower Tithonian); (6) radiolarian wackestone (MFT 6, upper Kimmeridgian); and (7–8) Saccocoma wackestone and spiculitic wackestone (MFT 7 and MFT 8, lower Tithonian). The succession was dated based on calcareous dinocysts, which comprise four zones: Colomisphaera fibrata Zone (Oxfordian), Stomiosphaera moluccana Zone (upper Kimmeridgian), Carpistomiosphaera borzai (upper Kimmeridgian) and Committosphaera pulla (lower Tithonian). Calcareous dinoflagellate cysts provide new data and refine ages of the lithostratigraphic units, thereby documenting their diachronous nature when compared to other sections in the Balkan Mts. The Cadosina parvula Zone, however, was not detected in the lower Kimmeridgian strata, although it revealed a significant and previously unknown hiatus at this succession. As evidenced by the lithology, microfossils, and carbonate textures, the Oxfordian–lower Tithonian deposits record a discontinuous trend of increasing depth above the upper Bathonian shallow-water strata. After initial deepening, shallower depositional settings developed in the late Kimmeridgian, followed by the imposition of deep, shelf-to-slope environments, located at a moderate distance from the continental margin, from the late Kimmeridgian onward.