Medievаl town of Cherven

Bulgarian sights
Location:  Ruse Region, Cherven

Cherven was one of the biggest towns of Bulgaria in the period of 12th-14th century. Its inhabitants were Thracians (4th - 2nd century B.C.) and Byzantines (4th - 6th century A.D.). It had been a bishop's residence and a craft centre. The mediaeval town is situated on a high hill in the canyon of the river Cherni Lom, 35 km south of Ruse. There are different historical and archaeological sites in its surroundings - prehistoric, ancient and medieval fortresses, settlements and necropolises. The most impressive are the numerous Christian rock monasteries. Mediaeval frescos are preserved in some of them.

The stronghold of Cherven (Bulgarian: Червен, 'red') was one of the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary military, administrative, economic and cultural centres between the 12th and the 14th century. The riuns of the fortress are located near the village of the same name 30-35 km south of Ruse, northeastern Bulgaria.

The town was a successor to an earlier Byzantine fortress of the 6th century, but the area has been inhabited since the arrival of the Thracians. Cherven was first mentioned in the 11th century in an Old Bulgarian apocryphal chronicle. It gained importance after 1235, when it became the seat of the medieval Bulgarian Orthodox Bishopric of Cherven. It was affected by the Mongol Golden Horde raids in 1242 and was briefly conquered by Byzantine troops during the reign of Tsar Ivailo (1278-1280).

During the second half of the 14th century, the stronghold's area exceded 1 km² and had intensive urban development, including a fortified inner city on vast rock ground in one of the Cherni Lom river's bends, and an outer city at the foot of the rocks and on the neighbouring hills. The town had complex fortification system and was completely built up. Cherven grew to become a centre of craftsmanship in the 14th century, with iron extraction, ironworking, goldsmithing, construction and arts being well developed. The town was an important junction of roads from the Danube to the country's interior, which also made the town a key centre of trade.

Cherven was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1388, initially retaining its administrative functions but later declining in importance. The modern village of Cherven located close to the ruins of the fortress has, as of September 2005, 302 inhabitants.



Chuprene Biosphere Reserve

The reserve is one of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria. It is established in 1973 to preserve the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria. In 1977 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves under the program "Man and Biosphere".

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Water Holes Cave

Water Holes Cave is located in Apriltsi Municipality, within the Central Balkan National Park on the northern slope of the massif of Botev Mount.

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Albotin rock monastery

Albotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.

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Uzana - the geographic center of Bulgaria

Uzana - the heart of the Balkans. In its embrace, the mountains has kept this extraordinary place where you can fully take charge with power and hours to enjoy its grandeur and beauty of nature.Far from the urban vanity you will find abundance of colors and shades, serenity and peace of mind. Here the warbling of the birds and the whisper of wild grasslands will put a spell on you forever.

Chervenitsa - geological phenomena over the village of Kunino

The natural phenomenon Chervenitsa is a molded boulder, rising more than 150 m above the terrace of the river Iskar in village of Kunino. It is located about 46 km east of Vratsa and approximately 120 km northeast of Sofia.

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Lopushanski monastery "Sv. Yoan Predtecha"

The Lopushanski monastery is located in the Balkan Mountain in the valley of Dalgodelska Ogosta river. It is operational and consists of a church, residential and farm buildings and a white stone fountain, all surrounded by a stone wall.

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The museum of salt

A unique museum in the whole Eastern Europe dedicated to the production of salt by solar evaporation of sea water, Pomorie

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Taukliman Reserve

Natural Reserve Taukliman typical landslide with length of about 4 km, formed between the edge of the Dobrudzhansko plateau and the coast.

Basilica Sveta Sofia - Sofia city

The Early Christian basilica Sveta Sofia is an active Orthodox church in the center of Sofia city. The church was probably built in the early VI century on the ruins of early Christian tombs from II - IV century and the ruins of two earlier churches from IV-V century. It is located among the necropolis of the ancient Serdica.

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Medieval fortress "Monyak"

"Monyak" fortress is one of the largest and high located fortresses in the Rhodopes near the village of Shiroko pole, Kardzhali Region

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Vakarelski monastery "St Petka"

Vakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.

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"The Womb" cave

A unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region

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Thracian sanctuary "Gluhite kamani"

The megalithic complex "Gluhite kamani" is one of the largest Thracian sanctuaries since BC, whose strength continues to act today to anyone who visits it.

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Krivus Fortress

A medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region

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"St. Konstantin and Elena" monastery near Ladzha quarter, Ivaylovgrad

The monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is situated close to Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad

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Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa

Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa was was found in X-XI century and during the Middle Ages was an important literary and cultural center in Bdin area.

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Roman tomb - town of Hisarya

The Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.

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Elenska basilica

Elenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop

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"St. Theodor Tyron and Theodor Stratilat" church

A unique monument of culture with extremely precious frescoes and icons included in UNESCO's list with the World Cultural Heritage, village of Dobarsko, Blagoevgrad Region

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Ovech Fortress

One of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya

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