Levent Tabiya Fort
Levent Tabia Fort is located in the town of Ruse, on the very bank of the Danube River, 195 km north-west of Varna and 311 km north-east of the capital Sofia city.
The fortress is situated on the highest point of Ruse, near the Sara bair hill. In the past the fort was one of the most important in defending the Danube frontier of the Ottoman Empire and the largest and strong arm of Ruse Ottoman fortress.
Its construction began in the 20s of XIX century. On the eve of the Russo-Turkish War/1828-1829/ the fort still had temporary facilities, but in the early 30s of the nineteenth century it was reconstructed mainly on Prussian military engineers' projects and retained its appearance to the Liberation War despite the late modernisations. For its fortification exceptional measures were taken because it was reported that due to its strategic location a takeover would lead to the surrender of the entire fortress.
The outer fortification line of the fort consisted of earthworks and a moat with shaft front facing south. Its complex erected concealed entrance was located in the north. During the Liberation War, 20 large caliber "Krupp" guns were stored there. The fort could accommodate a garrison of 3000 people (1 regiment) and was adapted to withstand a long siege.
After the Liberation, notwithstanding the provisions of the Berlin Congress (1879) for the demolition of all fortifications in the Principality of Bulgaria, the fort was preserved and was used for burial of the Danube military flotilla. During World War II it has anti-aircraft battery. After the dissolution of the Danube military flotilla in 1961, the fort was left ownerless for a couple of years.
In 1972 it was turned into an attractive restaurant complex "The Levent" with seven halls, each of which wore the atmosphere of one of Danube's capitals. In the mid-90s the restaurant ceased activity to be restored and renovated in the late 2005 primarily as a complex "The Levent" comprising a restaurant and "Ruse Wine House."
TRANSPORT AND ACCOMODATION
Levent Tabia Fort is easily reached as it is located in the town of Ruse - in Malyovitsa quarter in the separated The Levent complex.
The complex does not offer accommodation. The restaurant comprises 150 seats in 7 halls divided thematically and richly decorated with frescoes. Tourists can benefit from several hotels and guest houses in Ruse.
Sources: http://www.leventa-bg.net, http://tripi.bg
Photos: http://tripi.bg, http://www.alakart.bg
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".
See on the map
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.
See on the map
Albotin rock monastery
Albotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.
See on the map
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.
See on the map
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
See on the map
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.
See on the map
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.
See on the map
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
See on the map
Vakarelski monastery "St Petka"
Vakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.
See on the map
"The Womb" cave
A unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region
See on the map
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.
See on the map
Krivus Fortress
A medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region
See on the map
"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
See on the map
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.
See on the map
Roman tomb - town of Hisarya
The Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.
See on the map
Elenska basilica
Elenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop
See on the map
"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
See on the map
Ovech Fortress
One of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya
See on the map