The Ruse province has the city known as the Little Vienna of the north. The center of Ruse is filled with grand buildings from the nineteenth century that were built by European architects. You can walk along the main pedestrian street to see the ornate facades and the massive Monument of Liberty in the central square. The riverfront promenade is the perfect place for a sunset walk while watching the big cruise ships sail toward the Black Sea. It is the most elegant city in the country and feels very different from the mountain towns.
Drive south of the city into the Rusenski Lom nature park to find the Ivanovo rock churches. These are small chapels and cells carved high up into the limestone cliffs along the river. You can climb the stone steps to see medieval frescoes that are still bright and colorful after hundreds of years. The view from the cliff openings looks out over the winding river and the dense forests below. It is a peaceful and spiritual place that was once home to many hermit monks.
Continue your road trip to the ruins of the Cherven fortress which sits on a high rocky plateau surrounded by a loop in the river. You can walk through the massive stone gate and see the remains of the tall fighting tower that still stands today. The fortress was once a major economic center and you can still find the foundations of many old churches and houses. The surrounding landscape is full of deep gorges and rocky peaks that are perfect for hiking. This province is a land of river beauty and hidden cliff dwellings.
Ruse (province) highlights
- Basarbovo Monastery exists as the only active rock monastery in the land carved into a high cliff. Climb stone steps to the small rooms and see the view of the river valley from the balcony. Enjoy the peaceful gardens at the base where flowers grow right next to the white rock.
- Ivanovo Rock Churches display medieval chapels with bright murals high above a winding river gorge. View the life of the monks who lived in the rocks long ago through world famous paintings. Follow the path along the cliff edge to find the different cells and the holy art.
- Cherven Fortress stands as a massive stronghold on a rock loop with a tall fighting tower. Walk stone paths to see the remains of churches and houses within the medieval walls. Look out over the river and the forest from the high ramparts for a truly grand view.
- Little Vienna Center features grand buildings and wide squares along the banks of the Danube river. Walk the promenade to see the beautiful facades and the large freedom monument in the center. Experience the elegant feel of the most royal city found on the northern border.
- Orlova Chuka Cave reaches deep into the rock as the second longest cave with a huge central hall. Climb to the high cliff entrance for a great view of the river and the green plains. Explore the strange and beautiful stone shapes while watching the colonies of bats.
- Rusenski Lom Park protects a deep canyon with white cliffs and many hidden cave cells for hikers. Follow the river as it winds through the bottom of the canyon under the thick green trees. Enjoy a road trip through this wild and quiet park to see the best of the north.
- Freedom Monument stands as a giant statue in the central city square as a symbol of the region. View the fountains and flowers that surround the heart of the local city life and culture. Look at the details of the work designed by a famous artist to honor the people.
- Sexaginta Prista reveals the ruins of a Roman port for sixty ships located right on the river bank. Learn about the trade that happened on the Danube while walking among the old stone walls. Visit this quiet museum to see how the river and history meet in the city.
- Eco Museum provides a modern city stop with a huge woolly mammoth and many types of river fish. Learn about the nature of the northern border land through the interactive and colorful displays. Take your family to see the wild animals of the Danube in a fun and easy setting.
- Lipnik Park offers a large forest near the city with a lake covered in white water lilies. Join the locals for a picnic and a walk under the tall linden trees in the fresh air. Enjoy the calm water and the smell of the forest in a favorite local nature spot.
The local Four
History of Ruse (province)
Ruse is the Little Vienna of the Balkans. As the most European city in 19th century Bulgaria, it was the first to have a printing press, a railway station, and a modern street numbering system. The neo baroque architecture along the city center was designed by Italian and Austrian architects, reflecting the wealth brought in by the river trade. Ruse was the bridge between the Ottoman Empire and the Austro Hungarian world.
South of the city lies the Rusenski Lom canyon, where medieval history was carved into the rocks. The Ivanovo Rock Churches feature 14th century frescoes that are among the finest examples of Paleologan art in the world. Nearby, the Cherven Fortress stands on a high rocky loop of the river; it was one of the most important military and economic centers of the Second Bulgarian Empire, featuring a perfectly preserved medieval fighting tower.
Driving through Ruse Province, you find the Basarbovo Monastery, the only active rock monastery in Bulgaria, and the Orlova Chuka Cave, the second longest in the country. The province is a blend of urban elegance and rugged canyon landscapes. A road trip along the Danube here offers a look at the river wild side, with hidden islands and limestone cliffs that have protected hermits and soldiers for a thousand years.