The largest Bulgarian city on the Danube River with a population of about 180,000. Ruse is an important industrial, commercial and transport hub thanks to its favourite position. The only bridge on Bulgarian territory that spans Danube connecting Bulgaria and Romania is located near the city.

The river played an important role in the development of Ruse; even the name of the city is related to it: its root 'ru' is of Indo-European origin and means 'river', 'current' or 'flow'.

The Romans called it Sexaginta Prista – the Port of 60 Ships. After Bulgaria's Liberation from Ottoman domination in 1878, the town gradually gained momentum - industry increased and culture flourished. Many novelties that entered Bulgaria were first introduced in Ruse: the first movie house. Ruse also housed the headquarters of the first Bulgarian chamber of commerce, the first insurance company and the first bank. Here also started the first railway line uniting Ruse and the Black Sea port of Varna.

Go up to the TV Tower's bar, and you'll be able to take very nice pictures of the whole town, the river Danube and Romania, which is seen on the other bank of the river. A sandwich price rounds to $0.7.

Sreburna Lake Birds Nature Reserve is some 100 km away from Ruse. It hosts about 100 local bird species, some 200 passing birds, including pelicans, and about 60 plant species.
Near the neighbouring town of Isperih you can see the ruins of some ancient towns of the Thracians, the original inhabitants of the Balkan Peninsula, prior to the Greeks, Romans and Slavs.

It is situated at 10 km east from Ruse.

The area is quite picturesque with a lot of pine trees in the surroundings. There's a restaurant that's built in traditional Bulgarian style and you may enjoy typical Bulgarian dishes.

You can also see the seven churches located in the nearby cliffs. The churches were built in the 13th and 14th century in natural caves made by the continuous water movement. We invite you to visit our Photo Gallery of Rusenki Lom nature reserve

EThe area of the churches is named Pismata (the Letters) after the various scriptures and colourful frescoes on the walls. They were made by anonymous masters of Veliko Turnovo School. Despite the rocks' instability and the erosion, large part of the frescoes are restored and well preserved. Pismata is part of the UNESCO-protected sites of world culture. You can stay in the hunters' cabin with individual bathroom. In the nearby canteen, dishes from the game are normally prepared. To hire a guide for the nature reserve is about $8 a day, so as to see the most important of the area, including the seven churches.

The remaining days can be dedicated to sightseeing in Ruse and its outskirts.

You have to book places in advance.

The architectural reserve of Cherven is located along the Lom River, south of Ruse. During the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (between the 12th and 14th centuries) Cherven became military, economic, religious and cultural centre. From 1235 to the end of the 14th century it was the see, subordinate to the Veliko Turnovo's Patriarch.

Visitors may see the vestige of the past: the ruins of the feudal palace, which was excavated together with 12 churches and several public buildings, the walls of the fortress and the streets.

To really enjoy the visit to this medieval city you can hire a tourist guide.