Lovech

The city of Lovech is in northern Bulgaria, 150 km from Sofia. The city has a population of roughly 38,000. The city is built on the remains of the Thracian settlement Melta and the Roman city Presidium. The Hisarya Fortress was built during the First Bulgarian Empire (681-1018 CE).

When the peace treaty between Bulgaria and Byzantium was signed here, it marked the beginning of the Second Bulgarian Empire and the end of Byzantine rule over Bulgaria, which lasted two centuries. The Hisarya Fortress above Lovech is one of the last remaining Ottoman citadels. The symbol of Lovech is the covered bridge that spans the Osam River, connecting the old and new quarters. It was built in 1872-1874 by one of the era’s best-known master builders, Kolyu Ficheto. Today there are many shops on the bridge selling souvenirs. The Varosha Quarter has an art gallery in the Sveta Nedelya (Holy Sunday) Church, with frescoes painted in 1873. The church was declared a cultural landmark in Protocol № 7 of the National Society for the Preservation of Culture. Bash Bunar Park is situated on the Osam River. Its steep banks are dotted with caves of various sizes. Bones and implements from the Paleolithic Age and the Bronze Age were discovered in The Vasil Levski Cave and The Tabashkata Cave.

The park is a fine place for strolling and relaxation. Stratesh Hill is another popular location for walks in Lovech. The hill has been developed as a park and the city’s zoo. Two monuments on Stratesh Hill honour those who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1888. The Kakrina Inn, where the Ottoman authorities captured Levski, is now a museum. It is 19 km from Lovech and listed among the country’s top 100 tourist destinations.