North Bulgaria

The region North-Central consists of districts of Pleven and Rousse. Its comparatively central location in the country favours the development of transport due to the various opportunities to combine waterway, railway, road and air transport as well as to the fact that most important Pan-European corridors also cross it.

Pleven is situated about 150 metres above sea level in the central part of the Danube Lowland. It is located 174 km north-east of Sofia, 35 km north of Lovech and 146 km south-west of Rousse, and is one of the regional north administrative centres in Bulgaria. It is a nice historicakl and cultural town, famous for its architecture buildings and monuments.

Pleven has centuries-old and rich in events history. The city originated in Thracian times and used to be spread on today's Kailuka Park. Nowadays Pleven is the 7th biggest town in Bulgaria. The earliest traces of life and human activity on these lands date back to the end of 5-th millennium BC. Numerous archeological finds are the proof for the spiritual culture of the Thracians, who used to inhabit for millenniums these areas. Amongst them is the biggest golden treasure discovered on the Bulgarian lands – Valchi Trun, consisting of 13 treasures with cult purposes. Vulchi Trun gold treasure was found in 1924 and represents the late Bronze Era in Bulgaria. It is preserved in the National Museum of History in Sofia.

Another thing of interest in Pleven is the early Christian basilica of IV century, the second largest in Bulgaria after the Tsars basilica in Pliska.

There is a variety of archeological monuments and more then 200 monuments, reminding of the national heroes, who took part in many sanguinary battles. Bratskata Mogila (The Brothers’ Hill) preserves the bones of thousands Russian soldiers and is the main attraction of Pleven, situated among the green lanes of the town. The renowned Pleven Epic 1877 Panorama is situated at the top of the hill too. Through original combination of artistic paintings, sculptures and old scripts, the Panorama represents the epic fights from the last Russian-Turkish War.

Undoubtedly a special landmark of Pleven is the Regional Museum of History. The exposition of the museum is arranged in 24 halls containing over 5000 museum valuables in five sections - Archeology, Ottoman oppression and Bulgarian Revival, Ethnography, New and Contemporary history and Nature. Other places of interest include the Museum to the Liberation of Pleven, the Skobelev Park, the Museum of the Hunters' and Fishermen's Society, the Art Gallery and the Monument to Victory raises on the high hill past the Vit River. National important churches are the “Saint Nicholas” and the “Holy Trinity” churches.

Nature is very beautiful in Pleven. The famous Kailuka Park is situated in the immediate proximity of the town, in the valley of the Tuchenitsa River.

Just 12 km away from the city, the natural reserve of “Chernelka” is situated. The reserve is located in the central part of the Danube lowland and stretches along to 7 km. The sheer rocks with over 20 metres of height, the exuberant vegetation and the eccentric Peshtera (Cave) Restaurant make it a favourite place for the citizens of Pleven and the visitors of the town. The visitors are also impressed by the natural rock column “Mechoka”, the late ancient and medieval fortress “Gradishte”, "Tzarevata" Cave and the Roman road.

Pleven is a big transport centre. There are regular bus lines to Sofia, Veliko Turnovo, Lovech, Troyan and a lot of other big and small settlements. Pleven is situated on the main railway line Sofia - Gorna Oryahovitsa - Varna (Rousse). There is a town bus and trolley-bus transport, functioning in Pleven.

Pleven offers many variable places for dining and entertainment. There is a variety of traditional restaurants, as well as bar and grill Diner clubs. The traditional "Telish" wine and the famous Pleven pivo should be definately tried by every visitor.

Rousse

Rousse is the fifth largest city in Bulgaria and the biggest city in the country on the bank of the Danube River. It is a situated 320 km away from the capital of Bulgaria- Sofia and 203 km from Varna. The city is also called “The small Vienna”, because of its unique ancient architecture.

Prehistoric Thracian village existed in the site before more than 5000 years. During the 70 years after Christ the roman Emperor Vespasian built the very well fortified town Sexaginta Prista (The port of the 60 ships). During the 6th century the town was devastated by the avars. Later on the settlement was restored under the name Rousse, named after the holiday Roussalii. After the Christianization of Bulgaria the city’s patron became St George the town is renamed in Giurgevgrad. In the 13th century a bridge facility was constructed and the chronicles report the names of Golyamo and Malko Giurgevo (Big and Small Giurgevo) or today’s Rousse and Giurgevo. Today Gurgevo is a town in Romania on the northern bank of the Danube River.

During the ottoman rule the town bears the name Rustchuk and is a centre of the Danube vilate. During the Renaissance period Rousse and its citizens are giving a serious push the modernization of Bulgaria. Many big Austrian- Hungarian ships are stopping in local port bringing western impact in the local culture. Thus the local citizens are the first Bulgarians, wearing clothes according to the European fashion standards. The architecture also has a serious development, as many buildings were being constructed according to Austrian- Hungarian models, and today are architectural monuments.

Rousse soon receives European appearance, and as a border town free ideas from Europe are very well positioned. That is how Rousse becomes the cultural- educational revolutionary and business centre of Bulgaria during that period. The house of Baba Tonka, who hid the apostol of liberty- Vasil Levski and many other revolutionists still stands as a national monument in the town. The local community centre Zora is one of the hearths for national struggle. Since 1866 the first meteorological studies in Bulgaria start operating in the town, helped by contemporary Austrian apparatus. During the same year the first railway from Varna to Rousse was completed.

After the liberation of Bulgaria Rousse becomes the biggest town in the Bulgaria Kingdom. The Bulgarian navy started operating in Rousse on 31 July 1879. The first Bulgarian Bank “Girdap” and the firs navy technical school, later moved in Varna opened doors in the city in 1881. The first trade chamber and Insurance Joint Stock Company Bulgaria also opened in the town. May architects and continue taking care for the development of the liberated town. In 1954 the Danube bridge, that connects the Bulgarian and Romanian banks was constructed and the significance of the city for the country.

Almost 200 buildings in Rousse are included in the list for historical and architectural inheritance. The Dohodno building was build in 1902 and the liberty monument was officially opened in 1908. The first was built in German classic style and the monument is unique creation of the Florentine architect and sculptor Arlondo Tsoki.

The museums in the city are numerous: The Pantheon of the Renaissance men, the City’s historical museum, Baba Tonka museum, Museum of the city’s style and living standards in the Kaliopa’s house, the National museum of transport and communications and etc. The Leventabiya fortress, the door of Mitiriza, Mahamudova column, the “St. Trinity” Church and the Flotilla fortress are also attractions in the city.

Rousse is a big and modern city with live nightlife, many night clubs and restaurants that suite even the most sophisticated taste.