question:
Is there any interesting places near Rousse?

Near Rousse - Roussenski Lom, Male rock monastery, Medieval Town Cherven, Cave Orlova Chuka etc.

The town combines ancient architecture with beautiful scenery and also is the largest Bulgarian section of Danube and transportation center of the river

There are country houses, restaurants, artificial lakes, a hotel, a zoo corner, a sports base and a camping site. The lake also provides another opportunity - a walk with a wooden rowing boat or with classic water bicycle. At least once a year here is organized phase of the rowing races and and during the rest time - the lake, which also carries the name Lipnik is a great base for sports training of Russe rowers.

It is also a favorite place for each local fisherman, as a certain period of time Rousse Municipality care in the waters of the lake to throw fry, to avoid being catch a matter of luck. There are several walkways, from which everyone decides which one to choose. One takes you to a small zoo, loved most by the young visitors, because they know that will meet their old friends - two bears, a whole herd of goats, several ornamental birds. The inhabitants of the mini zoo is not much, but so does it always there was one to file an friendly sticks or candy over the fence (even though probably not allowed!).

Obraztsov Chiflik (Exemplary Farm) is situated at the distance of 3 to 4 km from the Lipnik Forest Park and possesses beautiful deciduous forests, fertile land and vineyards (an example of the economic development in the past) and two little sprightly tourist chalets Zdravets Chalet (40 beds in 1 suite and in 2-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 9-bed rooms) and Minzuhar Chalet (45 beds in 2-, 3-, 5- and 14-bed rooms, phone for reservations - in the Prista Tourist Association, Rousse).

The Roussenski Lom River Valley, along with its tributaries Beli (White), Malki (Little) and Cherni (Black) Lom represents a unique world in itself in which the amazing nature is entwined into out remote past history. Part of the valley with the territory of 3260 hectares was proclaimed a Natural Park (at the distance of 20 km south of Rousse). The rivers have created incredibly beautiful gorges into the limestone rock foundation.

It is genuine joy for the eyes and real paradise for rock climbers. The site is suitable for walking and for picnic with friends and family. In the park you can see rare birds and plants. Also - most of the major attractions near Ruse - Cave Orlova Chuka, the medieval town and famous Red Ivanovo rock churches. In the park you can spend a wonderful weekend in the locality has many fine Bed & Breakfast where you can spend the night and the next day to continue your walk.

One of the most significant military, economic and cultural centers of Bulgaria during the 13th and the 14th centuries was located there the Medieval Town of Cherven (on the right bank of the Cherni Lom River, by the name of the same village, at the distance of 31 km south of Rousse). Out of the preserved ruins most interesting are the parts of the fortified walls, the defensive tower, the two gates, the castle, the foundations of a great number of churches, the foundations of the boyar palaces, the two unique in their kind water pumping facilities with vaulted staircases.

From the castle reveals a beautiful view in all directions, which has great importance for the security. The most interesting thing that can be seen here is fully preserved tower of the western wall, which served as a prototype for the recovery of Baldwin Tower over the Yantra River in Tsarevets.

Many monks-hermits settled down in the valley during the late Middle Ages. Whole monastery complexes were created there - Ivanovski, Maluk Rai (Little Paradise), Golyam Rai (Great Paradise), Koshouta (Doe) and churches with exquisite mural paintings, a part of which was preserved. The mural paintings of the Ivanovski Rock Churches (on the Roussenski Lom River) are one of the summits of Medieval Bulgarian Art (work of masters from the Turnovo School of Painting). In 1983 they were entered into the cultural list of UNESCO protected sites.

In fact, the rock monastery is completely different from the other monastery complexes to be found in Bulgaria. In contrast to the traditional monastery complex which consists of 1-2 churches and a residential part, the Ivanovo cloister represents a network of small churches, chapels and cells hewn into the rocks, 32 meters above the waters of the picturesque canyon of the Roussenski Lom River. This cloister is the most famous one of the group of built-in-rock shrines around for its beautiful and well-preserved wall paintings.

The Alpinist Chalet is situated on the bank of the Roussenski Lom River, at the distance of 6 km south of the Prista Chalet (14 beds on plank-beds and 6 bungalows with 36 beds in 2-, 3- and 4-bed rooms, reservations at Prista Tourist Association, Rousse) with perfect possibilities for rock climbing along routes with different categories of difficulty. It is located at the distance of 1 km south-east along an asphalt road from the village of Bassarbovo.

The Bassarbovo Monastery is situated at the distance of 2 km from the chalet. The village of Pissanets with the Mamoulya rock phenomenon and the strongly fortified Pissansko gradishte (ruins of an ancient town) are situated at the distance of about 25 km south of Rousse, on the banks of the Beli Lom River. There is regular bus transport to that site.

The Danube River provides great opportunities for recreation, water sports, water tourism, fishing and lots of entertainment. There are wonderful little places, like the islands of Lyulyaka and Mateya, the riverside at Stulpishte, Marten and so on. The shelters for accommodation are not few in number, there are attractive public catering establishments, sports bases, tourist chalets, beaches and all of them are accessible either by car or by public transport.

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The next article: Veliko Tarnovo is historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

 
15апр2011