Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lovech
068 / POP 36,200
Popular with weekending locals but less visited by foreign travellers, Lovech is a quiet,
well-restored traditional village along the Osêm River, 35km south of Pleven. The old
quarter of Varosha hosts more than 150 restored National Revival structures, while the
photogenic covered bridge over the river is a symbol of the town.
Lovech was a significant military outpost and trade centre during Thracian and Roman
eras, and again during the Second Bulgarian Empire. During the Ottoman occupation,
however, it would reach its peak, though precariously playing with fire as the surreptitious
headquarters of the Bulgarian Central Revolutionary Committee during the mid-19th cen-
tury.
The main square, pl Dimitrov, has banks, exchange offices and post office.
Sights
Just past the Hotel Lovech is the
Pokritiyat Most
(covered footbridge) - the Balkans'
only such structure. Built in 1872, and completely restored twice since, it once again fea-
tures its original wooden design. Arts and crafts shops, as well as cafes, are found within.
Passing the square beyond the bridge brings you to the
Art Gallery
( 23 937; ul Vasil
Levski 9; admission free; 9am-noon & 1-6pm Mon-Sat)
, with works by local and other
Bulgarian artists exhibited.
Extensive ruins of the
Hisar Fortress
(admission free; 8am-6pm)
are visible from
the old town. Here was signed the treaty with the Turks that ushered in the Second Bul-
garian Empire. The fortress is fun to explore and offers great views. From Varosha, it's a
10- to 15-minute uphill walk.
From near the art gallery, follow the cobblestoned ul Hristo Ivanov Golemia uphill
about 100m to the
Ethnographical Museum
( 27 720; ul Hristo Ivanov Golemia; ad-
mission 3 lv; 8am-noon & 2-5pm Mon-Sat)
. The two mid-19th-century buildings con-
tain fascinating exhibits and period furniture, plus a cellar full of wine-making equipment.
Leaflets in English, French or German are available.
About 50m further up, the
Vasil Levski Museum
( 27 990; admission 2 lv;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
contains extensive displays about the revered revolutionary. Another
50m uphill is the Byzantine
Sveta Bogoroditsa Church
- renovated, but not always
open.
