Location: Pleven is located in Central North Bulgaria, at equal distances from the Balkan Mountain and the Danube River. It is located 160 km north-east from
Sofia and 340 km west from Varna.
Population: 122 000 inhabitants.
History: Pleven has preserved well its cultural and historical heritage and therefore it is known as the city of museums. The earliest traces of human life and activity on these lands are attributed to the 5th century B.C. Many archaeological findings shed light on the way of life and traditions of Thracians who populated these lands. One of them is the largest golden treasure found on Bulgarian territory – the Valchitran gold, consisting of 13 vessels with cult designation with a total weight of 12,5 kg of pure gold with natural alloys of silver, copper and iron. At the beginning of the new milenium, these lands became part of the Roman Empire. On the road from Ulpia Oescus for Philipopolis, the Roman road station Storgosia emerged in Pleven, and later on there was also a fortress of the same name.
During the Middle Ages the settlement constituted of a strong fortress and dwellings for the residents with well developed crafts and trade. During the Ottoman rule Pleven preserved its Bulgarian appearance. During the National Revival period agriculture, crafts and trade were well developed; churches, schools, bridges and public fountains were buid. In 1825 the first secular school opened doors, while in 1840 the first girls’ school in Bulgaria was opened here.
During the Russo-Turkish liberation war, Pleven’s position was of strategic importance. Huge armies were concentrated around the city and this is where, on 10th of December, 1877 the Russian army managed to defeat and capture the army of Osman Pasha, battle which was considered to be final for that war.
Landmarks:
- St. George Chapel Mausoleum is one of the symbols of the city of Pleven. The best Bulgarian architects, artists and sculptors from the beginning of the XX century took part in its creation. The bones of the people from the multinational Russian army and the allied Romanian army, who perished during the battles in Pleven, are laid to rest in the crypt of the chapel.
- The Pleven Panorama is a monument that was established in honour of the 100-year anniversary from the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. The panorama reproduces events from the Russo-Turkish war from 1877/78 and the Pleven epopee. The pictorial canvasses, exposed in 4 halls, were created by 11 Russian and 2 Bulgarian artists.
- The Military History Museum succeeded one of the oldest and most authoritative museum institutions in Bulgaria – the War history memorial houses and monuments in Pleven, Pordim, Byala and Gorna Studena, built during the period of 1903-1907 by the committee “Tsar Liberator Alexander II”. They all were inaugurated on 3rd September 1907. The idea to restore and preserve the houses of eminent Bulgarians as well as those connected with certain events of the Russo-Turkish war 1877-1878 including the houses where the headquarters of Emperor Alexander II and the Royal staff had been accommodated, appeared in 1900-1901 and it received government approval as well as the approval of the Royal prince Ferdinand I.
- The Regional History Museum has one of the richest exhibitions in Bulgaria, with a stock of more than 180 000 valuable museum objects, documentary and material evidence for the historical, material and spiritual culture, models from the natural and man-made environment, which are an integral part of the national cultural and historical heritage. The exhibition is situated in 24 halls and divided in five sections – Archaeology, Ottoman rule and Bulgarian National Revival, Ethnography, New history and Most recent history and nature.
- The Museum of Wine is considered the first centre of wine industry in Bulgaria. As early as in 1890, this is where the first vocational school in vine-growing and winery was opened. Here, visitors can purchase and taste wine from a variety of more than 7000 bottles of wine. There are 30 to 90-year old wines in the museum. Part of the collection includes six thousand bottles of present-day wines of all brands and regions in the country. In the cave, where the museum is located, one can see 100 casks made of French oak tree, ancient vessels for wine production and rhytons and vials for drinking the divine drink.
- The Svetlin Rusev Donative Exhibition is one of the most popular artists in Bulgaria – Svetlin Rusev donated a rich collection of 400 pictures and sculptures created by international and Bulgarian artists to his native city - Pleven. The permanent exposition offers more than 250 valuable works of art. This is the greatest private art donation in Bulgaria.
- Kaylaka Park is favourite place for recreation and relaxation for Pleven’s residents and visitors alike. It is located in the midst of centuries’ old trees. The place is home for some plants that are unique for Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula. Many of the birds and mammals that live here are included in the Red Book.
- The late antiquity Fortress of Strogosia is located in “Kaylaka” park around Pleven. It was constructed by the Romans in the late Antiquity, during the ²V-V² century. In the fortress there are living quarters and administrative buildings. There is an early Christianity basilica at the eastern part.
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