The historic battles in the Pleven province have changed the map of Europe. The most famous site here is the Pleven Panorama which is a massive circular building on a hill. Inside you will find a giant painting that surrounds you and depicts the battles of the Russian-Turkish War of 1877. The artists used real cannons and trenches in the foreground to make the scene look three dimensional. It is a powerful way to experience history and a must see for any traveler interested in the birth of modern Bulgaria.
Drive to the Kaylaka Park on the edge of the city to find a green oasis hidden between tall limestone cliffs. This park is kilometers long and features lakes and walking paths shaded by old trees. You can see the ruins of a Roman fortress or visit the unique wine museum located inside a natural cave. The cave walls keep the wine at a perfect temperature and you can taste local varieties while sitting deep underground. It is a perfect place to park the car and enjoy a quiet afternoon in nature.
The drive continues north toward the Danube river to find the ruins of the Roman city Ulpia Oescus. You can walk among the massive stone columns and see the colorful floor mosaics that have survived for nearly two thousand years. The site is open and quiet and allows you to explore the remains of temples and public baths at your own pace. The road to the ruins passes through fertile fields where grain and sunflowers stretch to the horizon. This province offers a deep dive into the military and natural secrets of the north.
Pleven (province) highlights
- Pleven Panorama displays a giant 360 degree painting that puts you in the middle of a famous battle. View real guns and trenches used to make the historical scene look like a real event. Experience a powerful way to see history inside the only monument of its kind in the world.
- Kaylaka Park follows a long river valley between tall cliffs with lakes and a cave wine museum. Walk the shady paths for miles to see the ruins of an old Roman fort in the green heart of the city. Spend a long afternoon exploring the nature and the history hidden within the rock walls.
- Ulpia Oescus reveals the massive ruins of a Roman city on the banks of the wide Danube river. Walk the stone streets to see colorful mosaics that have survived the passing of many years. Imagine the life of a major capital where the trade of the empire once moved on the water.
- St. George Chapel stands as a beautiful mausoleum in the city center with a giant gold dome. Honor the soldiers who fought for freedom while looking at the stone carvings and the grand interior. Visit this landmark of the north to see the heart of the city's history and spirit.
- Reseleț Rocks appear as strange stone shapes that look like giant dolls hidden in a quiet valley. Follow the river through a small village to find this hidden gem for hikers in the north. View the wild erosion of the local land which has created these unique and tall figures.
- Grivitsa Memorial marks the site of a major war with a quiet park and many stone monuments. Walk through the peaceful fields where some of the hardest fighting once took place long ago. Learn the history of the region while enjoying a walk in a place of memory and peace.
- Chernelka Eco Trail leads you through a deep canyon with stone bridges and ancient cave dwellings. Follow the river for miles to see the high limestone walls that rise on both sides of the path. Enjoy an easy and scenic walk perfect for a day in the nature of the northern plains.
- Zlatna Panega Spring creates a bright blue pool where a river starts right from the deep earth. Stop for a road trip break in the park surrounding the water which stays the same temperature all year. View the unique color of the spring which never freezes even in the coldest winter.
- Nikopol Fortress crowns a river cliff where you can see across the wide water to the other side. Explore the old gates and see where empires once met along the busy banks of the Danube. Visit the very old town below to learn about the long history of living from the river.
- Pleven History Museum fills a huge building with many halls of old gold and guns from past wars. See the items found in Roman ruins and ancient graves to learn the story of the city. Walk through the displays to see how people have lived on the northern plains for years.
The local Four
History of Pleven (province)
Pleven is the City of the Great Siege. In 1877, it was the site of the five month Siege of Plevna, a battle that involved hundreds of thousands of troops and determined the outcome of the Russo Turkish War. The Pleven Panorama, one of the few of its kind in the world, uses a 360 degree painting and real trenches to drop you into the heart of the 1877 battle. The city park, Kaylaka, was once the garden of the Roman fort Storgosia.
Near the Danube, the province holds the ruins of Ulpia Oescus, a massive Roman city that once featured a bridge over the river built by Emperor Constantine the Great. It was a center of Roman luxury, with a forum, temples, and intricate mosaics. The region history is tied to the river trade and the fertile Danube Plain, which has been the site of endless migrations and settlements for six millennia.
A road trip through Pleven offers a mix of military history and natural karst beauty. The Chernelka Eco trail takes you through a 7 kilometer canyon with 30 meter cliffs and ancient cave dwellings. From the wine tasting museum located in a cave at Kaylaka to the quiet riverbanks of the Danube at Nikopol, the province is a showcase of how geography has shaped the military and economic fate of Northern Bulgaria.