Summer photos from Rousse (Bulgaria)
Ruse (also transliterated as Rousse or Russe; Bulgarian: Русе) is the fifth-largest city in Bulgaria with a population of 166 991 (by current address). Ruse is situated in the northeastern part of the country, on the right bank of the Danube, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu, 300 km from the capital Sofia and 200 km from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. It is the most significant Bulgarian river port, serving an important part of the international trade of the country.
Ruse is known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, which attracts many tourists. The Ruse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge, the only one in the shared Bulgarian-Romanian section of the Danube, crosses the river here.
Ruse is located on the right bank of the Danube, which is the high bank, having two underwater terraces and three river terraces at 15--22 m (49.21--72.18 ft), 30--66 m (98.43--216.54 ft), and 54--65 m (177.17--213.25 ft). The average altitude is 45.5 m (149.28 ft) AMSL. The urban area is an approximately 11-km ellipse running along the river. The city extends from the land-connected Matey (Матей) island and the mouth of Rusenski Lom on the west to Srabcheto (Сръбчето) hill on the east. During the 20th century, the west end of the city was significantly modified by moving the mouth of Rusenski Lom to the west, as well as by moving the bank itself with its fairway considerably to the north. Sarabair (саръбаир) hill is to the south of the city and is 159 m (521.65 ft) high. The Rousse TV Tower is built there on the remains of Leventtabia, a former Turkish fortification.
Museums
* National Transport Museum
* Battenberg Palace, built 1892, which now hosts the Rousse Regional Historical Museum
* Pantheon of National Revival Heroes
* Kaliopa House, a museum depicting the old urban lifestyle
* Zahari Stoyanov Museum
Religious buildings
* Church of the Holy Trinity
* Church of the Holy Theotokos
* Church of St George
* Church of Holy Archangel Michael
* Church of the Holy Ascension
* Church of St Petka
* Russian Church of St Nicholas the Miracle Worker
* Roman Catholic St Paul of the Cross Cathedral, built 1890
* Armenian Surp Astvadzadzin Church
* Evangelical Baptist church
* Evangelical Methodist Church
* Seid Pasha Mosque
* Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a World Heritage Site, is situated 20 km to the south.
In 1978, the All Saints Church was destroyed and the Pantheon of National Revival Heroes was built thereupon.
The Jewish community in Ruse built and consecrated a synagogue in 1797. It was destroyed in the 1810 fire, but two other synagogues were later built in 1826 and 1852.
Other landmarks
* Dohodno Zdanie (literally: Profitable Building) is an old theatre and one of the most beautiful buildings.
* Monument of Liberty, built (1908--1911).
* Rousse TV Tower, the tallest TV tower in Bulgaria and one of the tallest buildings on the Balkan Peninsula .
Regular events
* The March Music Days is an international music festival for classical music.
* St George's Day (6 May) is Ruse's holiday. A local fair is organized for a week around this date.
* The Danubian Carnival is a masquerade held around 24 June, Enyovden.
* The Sexaginta Prista Summer Stage is an urban festival. Events are hosted at the Roman castle every Friday from May through October.
* At the end of October are BG MediaMarket and the Bulgarian Europe Media Festival.