Rousse (Ruse) is situated on the north banks of Danube River at 320 km distance from Sofia. Here are located the biggest river port in Bulgaria and the Ruse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge, which is crossing Danube River. Ruse is the fifth-largest city in Bulgaria and second-largest in North Bulgaria, after the city of Varna.
The history of the city had begun 23 centuries ago, when Thracian tribes had formed a settlement on these lands. During the Roman period the settlement formed itself as a Roman fortress with the name “Sexaginta prista” (port of 60 ships). The fortress was of huge military significance, because the transportation of weapons and supplies had been made through the river. Later the fortress was destroyed and during the period of the Bulgarian Empire there was a fortified settlement near its ruins. The settlement validates its importance for the country’s trade with the lands beyond Danube River. In Ottomans times the city develops rapidly and it became one of the administrative centers of the empire. After the liberation in 1878, it begins the industrialization and architectural enrichment of the city. Ruse emerged again as an important economic, transport, cultural, and educational hub. Engineering, chemical, and light industries expanded; a large harbor was built; and the city became a university centre.
At the 1985 after the census of the population, it was reported that there are more than 186,000 people. In the early ‘90s the decline of the city began and that drove away many people. After the 2000th year the city starts to recover again and begins to gain back its old leading positions.
The architectural st of the city is strongly influenced by the Viennese. In 1893 the municipality of Ruse issued a rule of procedure for the construction of private buildings. It ordered that all the houses in the main city street should be decorated with a “plastic-stone decoration”. Often called "Little Vienna", Ruse won the honorary award for “The most beautiful city in Bulgaria” in 2009. Ruse is among the “100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria” with over 260 buildings and monuments of the culture. Most of the attractions are concentrated in the city centre. (architectural monuments, museums, theatre, Opera, hotels, restaurants and cafes and shops for souvenirs). Among all the sights of the city, those who are standing out are: The Monument of Liberty, “Sava Ognyanov” drama theatre, The first private bank “Girdap”, The house of Andrea Turio (known also as the “Vienna house”), insurance company “Bulgaria” (the first in Bulgaria), and the “Aleksandrovska” street, which is the main city street and is an architectural ensemble of buildings in Baroque-st. The area around Ruse has numerous natural sights, the most famous of which are Park “Rusenski Lom”, Lipnik Park, and the Orlova Chuka cave. The rich history of the city also grants him with multiple museums: Regional Historical Museum, the “Sexaginta prista” fortress, Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo (whose frescoes are included in UNESCO World Heritage List), the National Transport Museum, the Pantheon of National Revival Heroes (where 39 famous Bulgarian revival heroes are buried), the Stronghold of Cherven (the only completely preserved medieval tower), “Zahari Stoyanov” house-museum etc.
Ruse is also a cultural center. Multiple events are organized here every year, the most famous of which are the International festival of “March music days” and the Ruse carnival.
The majestic atmosphere in the city of Baroque buildings will put Ruse deep in its visitor’s hearts.
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