Not a Ruse Cruise

Welcome back, I knew you'd come!

After an overwhelmingly huge interest to my blog, my fans begged me to continue my work, all 4 of them! There is no better start to my guide to Bulgaria than home town. Therefore, in today's post, I will present my town Ruse! 

Ruse, situated on the Danube river, is the 5th largest city in Bulgaria, and home to the coolest people in recorded human history. During Thracian and Roman times, Ruse was called Sexaginta Prista (The Port of The 60 Ships). Later, during Ottoman times, it was an important centre in Bulgaria, and the first modern European-style city. Neo-Baroque buildings lead to it being dubbed "Little Vienna" due to resemblance to the Austrian capital. 

Authentic buildings from the late 1800s-early 1900s in the city centre.

Accessible by car via the Danube bridge, Ruse is merely an hour away from Romania's capital Bucharest, home to the nearest airport. It can also be accessed by train, and in the past was a stop of world famous Orient Express trip. 

In Ruse, one can visit the Pantheon, the stunning buildings of the Opera and the Theatre, the town court and council buildings. 

Downtown, numerous cafes and restaurants are scattered, where one could try the very best dishes Bulgaria has to offer. And to top it all, the Monument of Liberty rises proudly in the middle of the main square.

For cultural enthusiasts, Ruse offers museums, art galleries and religious sites. However, arguably the best part of Ruse isn't even in Ruse! Nearby the town tourists can find the Basarbovo Monastery and he mysterious cave shrines surrounding it.

Outside Ruse, one can visit Teketo, which hosts  a giant park and the mansion of the communist-era leader. Furthermore, one can visit Cherven, a medieval fortress from the Second Bulgarian Empire topping a hill. If the scenery on top of it doesn't move you, the wind might, so be careful.

The Museum of History

Shrines carved out into the rocks, nearby Ruse

Apart from these stunning sceneries, there's much more to see. However, I don't want to spoil it, because you definitely want to go there by now. And some still hesitate to visit Bulgaria, I decided the next destination to be something really special. Get your stuff ready, cause we are GOING TO THE BEACH!

The Pantheon, resting place to the men who fought for independence during the April uprising and the Russo-Turkish war (1876-1878).

Here's a fun watch about Ruse - brilliant work showing the city in 3 minutes!