Discover Pleven: Top 7 Must-See Attractions & Activities

You might have heard the name Pleven before, or as it was once called Plevna in modern history. The city of Pleven is the administrative centre of Pleven Province and that of the subordinate Pleven Municipality. Pleven is located north of Bulgaria and is the most significant economic centre in the country’s northwestern and central northern parts.

Pleven’s location is integral to the city’s economic, administrative, political, cultural, and transport life. The city is surrounded by low limestone hills, the Pleven Heights, and is 170 kilometres from Sofia, the capital. Vit flows near the city, while the smaller Tuchenitsa River, locally known as Barata or The Streamlet, crosses the city of Pleven.

The current weather in Pleven is as continental as you can hope for. Cool winters and warm summers distinguish the city. Winters have a lot of snow, with temperatures falling below -20 degrees Celsius overnight. Springs are warmer, with temperatures getting to 20 degrees Celsius, and summers are hotter, with an average of 40 degrees Celsius.

In this article, we’ll learn how to get to Pleven, Bulgaria, and a little bit about its history before we discuss the different reasons why you should visit it and what you can do there.

How to get to Pleven?

You can reach Pleven from Sofia, the capital, by train, bus, taxi, car, or shuttle.

1. By train

The fastest way to get from Sofia to Pleven is by train. With a ticket costing under 14 Euros, it’s also one of the cheapest options. The most common train operators are the Bulgarian Railways and the Romanian Railways.

You can check their schedules online to determine which of the journeys they operate suits you best. The trip usually takes about 2 and a half hours and a half.

2. By bus

Reserving a bus ticket differs depending on booking a one-way or return ticket. Either way, you’ll be expected to pay 5 Euros to 9 Euros. The two-hour and twenty-minute ride also has several operators, which you can check and choose from.

3. By taxi

You might want a taxi ride instead, but it can be expensive. Even though you might get to Pleven faster—the trip usually takes just two hours—you will be expected to pay anywhere from 80 Euros to 100 Euros. It’s always best to check with operating companies to determine what you like.

4. By car

Fancy driving the way yourself? No problem, driving will get you from Sofia to Pleven in less than two hours. With a fuel cost from 15 Euros to 21 Euros, you just need to rent a car for your trip. For just 15 Euros per day, you can get a great offer from car leasing companies online.

5. By shuttle

If taking a shuttle is more suitable for you, no worries. You can book one for a cost between 65 and 85 euros, and you can do it online, too. The shuttle will take you from Sofia to Pleven in about two and a half hours.

Where to stay in Pleven?

One of the distinguishing things about staying in Pleven is that you can rent an apartment for as good a price as a hotel, even better. Apartments for rent in Pleven aren’t only very affordable but are located near all of the city’s main sights. Some apartments also have a lovely backyard to relax after a long day.

1. Apartment ILIEVI (15 ulitsa “Pirot” An. 3, 5804 Pleven)

Particularly popular among couples, this apartment has a city view, an inner courtyard view and a quiet street view. The apartment is only 0.6 kilometres away from the city centre. For three nights with all apartment facilities, including private parking and free WiFi, you only need to pay 115 Euros.

The apartment can easily accommodate a group of travellers of up to 6 people. If you’re travelling alone and wish to rent the place for three nights, it’ll only cost 99 Euros.

2. Pansion Storgozia (108 Storgozia Str., 5802 Pleven)

Located 2 kilometres from Panorama Mall and 2.9 kilometres from the city centre, this apartment-style pension is another top choice in Pleven. The apartment has one bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room, and it is equipped with everything for your comfort.

Pansion Storgozia has an on-site fitness centre, street parking, and a coffee shop. A three-night apartment costs 152 Euros. A two-bedroom apartment in the same pension can accommodate up to four people.

3. Hotel Rostov (2, Tzar Boris III Str., 5800 Pleven)

Located in the centre of Pleven, Hotel Rostov offers excellent panoramic views of the city and its monuments. The hotel is about 5 minutes from restaurants, cafeterias, and bars. For a three-night stay, with your choice of two single beds or one double bed, you only pay 108 Euros. The price goes up to 114 Euros for breakfast and several other services, such as free cancellation.

4. Complex Friends (Marie Curie Str. 4, 5801 Pleven Center, 5801)

Another great place is this motel, which is only 0.6 kilometres from the city centre. It is in the city’s sports area. The hospital “Heart and Brain” is 100 meters away, and the Hospital “UMBAL Georgi Stranski”, the second clinic base, is 200 meters away. For a three-night stay, you can choose between two single beds or one large bed. You only need to pay 123 Euros.

The motel restaurant offers you a continental breakfast every day. There are also rooms to book in the motel that can accommodate up to 3 travellers. The motel is just 0.8 kilometres from the Regional Historical Museum, while the Pleven Panorama is only 1.3 kilometres away. Many other Pleven landmarks are very close to the motel.

Brief History of Pleven

Welcome to Pleven, a city steeped in rich history that spans millennia. Let’s explore its past, from ancient times to its present-day significance.

Ancient Roots and Roman Influence

Pleven’s historical journey begins in the Neolithic period, around the 5th millennium BC, with the Thracians. These ancient settlers left a wealth of archaeological treasures, including the renowned Nikolaevo treasure, showcasing a vibrant culture that thrived here for thousands of years. Under Roman rule, Pleven (then part of the Moesia province) became a crucial hub due to Storgosia, a strategic road station linking Oescus to Philippopolis. This station was later fortified, becoming a key military outpost.

Medieval Era and Ottoman Dominance

In the Middle Ages, Pleven was a formidable stronghold of the First and Second Bulgarian Empires, its significance immortalised when Hungarian King Stephen V mentioned it during a 1270 campaign. The city, known as Plevne during the Ottoman era, remained pivotal, embracing modernisation with the opening of Bulgaria’s first secular school in 1825, followed by the first girls’ and boys’ schools. These educational institutions, built in the Bulgarian National Revival style, marked a cultural renaissance, accompanied by the construction of numerous schools, churches, and bridges.

The Siege of Plevna: A Turning Point

The Siege of Plevna, a crucial battle in the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), saw Pleven under the command of Field Marshal Osman Pasha. Despite initial successes, Osman’s forces were eventually encircled and defeated by the Russian and Romanian armies, leading to significant losses and culminating in Osman’s surrender on 10 December 1877. This defeat was pivotal, contributing to the liberation of Bulgaria and the independence of Romania, celebrated in Romania as a key victory in their War of Independence.

Post-Liberation Development

Following the war, Pleven experienced significant economic and demographic growth, transitioning from a hub of heavy industry during the socialist era to a centre for lighter industries like knitwear and clothing production. The city’s economy has diversified, with burgeoning sectors in chemicals, textiles, and food processing. Tourism in Pleven has also seen a revival, enhancing its profile as a cultural and historical destination.

Educational and Medical Advancements

A cornerstone of Pleven’s educational landscape is its Medical University, established in 1974 on the foundations of a regional hospital dating back to 1865. It boasts two faculties—Medicine and Public Health—and was the first in Bulgaria to offer an English-language medical programme, attracting a global student body. This institution underscores Pleven’s commitment to international education and medical excellence.

Through centuries of change, Pleven has preserved its historical essence while evolving into a modern city. Its rich past and dynamic present invite visitors and scholars alike to explore and appreciate its unique heritage and ongoing contributions to Bulgarian culture and society.

What to do in Pleven?

Pleven, a city steeped in history, boasts an impressive array of landmarks, with over 200 sites commemorating its pivotal role in the Russo-Turkish War. These historical markers pay tribute to the Russian and Romanian soldiers whose bravery shaped the city’s legacy during the Siege of Plevna. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about Bulgaria’s rich past, Pleven offers a profound journey through time, showcasing its significant contributions to regional and national history.

1. St. George The Conqueror Chapel Mausoleum

Named after Saint George, the patron saint of soldiers, the chapel is both a mausoleum and a memorial in Pleven. It was built between 1903 and 1907 as a dedication to the Russian and Romanian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation of Bulgaria’s most prominent battle, the Siege of Plevna, in 1877.

It’s only fitting that the remains of those soldiers were buried in the mausoleum. The chapel was built in the Neo-Byzantine style, while the master hands of Bulgarian artists painted the interior. The St. George Chapel is depicted on the Pleven Coat of Arms.

2. Skobelev Park

Between 1904 and 1907, Skovelev Park was built on the same site as the battlefield of the Siege of Plevna. The park was named after Russian General Mikhail Skobelev, who led the Russian forces during the battles. Skobelev’s strategy proved fruitful in the siege, ultimately paving the way to the fall of Ottoman rule over Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia.

The Park is located in the Martha Dolina Valley, where 6,500 Russian and Romanian soldiers were injured and lost their lives. Their remains are stored in 9 common graves in the park and an ossuary. Dozens of Russian cannons are arranged in the park, a favourite walking route of residents of Pleven. The Pleven Panorama is located in the Skobelev Park.

3. Pleven Panorama 1877

As the name suggests, Pleven Panorama is where you can witness the events of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 and 1878. There’s also a depiction of the famous Siege of Plevna, which made the city known worldwide. You will witness the end of five centuries of Ottoman rule over the area and the Liberation of Bulgaria.

The panorama was built in 1977 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the war, and the Liberation of Bulgaria. 13 Russian and Bulgarian artists created it to expand the existing Skobelev Park, the site of three of the four battles leading to the Liberation. The panorama is considered one of 200 landmarks built around the city in tribute to the battle of Plevna and the lives lost during the siege.

The panorama shows that the siege consisted of four major battles over five months, with a particular focus on the third battle, in which the Russian and Romanian forces gained an advantage over the Ottoman forces.

Inside the panorama is a lifelike panoramic painting, including a 115×15-meter main canvas and a 12-meter foreground. The designer and artists’ goal in creating the panorama was to induce empathy for the battle fought and a feeling of authenticity of the events.

The panorama comprises four rooms: introductory, panoramic, and diorama finale. Inside, you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time and are standing in the middle of the battlefield. You will witness the Russian forces and their attacking strategy, the attack of the Ottoman cavalry, and Russian General Mikhail Skobelev’s attack against the Ottoman fortification.

4. Pleven Regional Historical Museum

One of the largest museums in Bulgaria, Pleven Regional Historical Museum, was unofficially established in 1903 when the Local Archaeological Society set the rules for creating a museum and discovering and researching historical monuments in the region. Hence, the society displayed the first excavations of the Roman fortress of Storgosia.

The items found were organised and displayed by the society in 1911. In 1923, they were moved to the Saglasie, where a museum was established. The museum moved to its current building in 1984. The building was built between 1884 and 1888 after an Italian project for barracks.

The museum is divided into five departments, with 24 halls and 5,000 items on display. The departments are Archaeology, Ethnography, the Bulgarian National Revival and the Ottoman Rule of Bulgaria, Modern History, and Nature. The museum holds one of the wealthiest coin collections in the country, with 25,000 coins.

5. Svetlin Rusev Donative Exhibition

This permanent art exhibition in Pleven is home to more than 400 works of art donated by the renowned Bulgarian artist Svetlin Rusev. Works in the collection vary between masterpieces by both Bulgarian and foreign artists. The exhibition has occupied its current location since 1984, when Rusev donated 322 works from his collection and added 82 more in 1999.

The building housing the exhibition, built in the 1900s, was once the city’s public baths. It has three floors and displays elements of Neo-Byzantine, Neo-Moorish, and Ottoman design. The building served as the city’s public baths until 1970.

The first floor holds works of the best-known Bulgarian artists such as Tsanko Lavrenov and Dechko Uzunov. On the second floor are works of contemporary Bulgarian painters such as Nikola Manev, and the oldest painting in the gallery is a 17th-century work by an unknown French author.

On the third floor, which consists of the towers, there is a collection of works by leading Bulgarian engravers such as Lia Beshkov and famous Western European artists such as Pablo Picasso and Francisco Goya.

6. Ivan Radoev Drama and Puppet Theatre

Even though the Ivan Radoev Drama and Puppet Theatre was established in 1919 in the heart of the city of Pleven, its history goes way back to 1869 to the years of the Bulgarian Revival when the people of Pleven were thirsty for cultural events and theatrics. The rooms of the St. Nicholas school witnessed events of world-renowned plays such as The Outcasts by Vazov, Othello by Shakespeare and The Government Inspector by Gogol.

Matey Ikonomov founded the first professional theatre company in 1907. The current building was designed and built from 1893 to 1895. At the end of the 19th century, the theatre’s interior was designed in the traditional European urban style. Since 1997, the theatre has been expanding its activities by unveiling a “Puppet Stage,” continuing the traditions of the no longer existing State Puppet Theatre of Pleven.

The theatre is open from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday.

7. Kaylaka

This large park and protected area is located south of Pleven, in the karst valley of the river Touchenitsa. The park has been carved and shaped by the forces of nature. For centuries, the river has been cutting through the limestone rocks of the valley, forming a small gorge with parallel vertical cliffs.

The natural canyon is rich in diverse Bulgarian and Balkan flora and fauna, including many birds and mammals in the Red Book of Bulgaria. Fossils of prehistoric animals and creatures can still be seen in the limestone. The decline of ocean levels over the millennia has also left its mark on the valley, shaping rocks and caves.

The park includes the ruins of the Roman fortress of Storgosia. It also has ponds and reservoirs with boats and pedalos, a swimming pool, hotels, cafés, restaurants, and playgrounds. Kaylaka is perfect for outdoor activities such as cycling, kayaking, rock climbing, and fishing.

Where to eat in Pleven?

If you’re in Pleven, there are several restaurants you need to check out. In addition to traditional Bulgarian cuisine, the city serves different cuisines. You can find Italian, European, Eastern European, and vegetarian-friendly restaurants.

1. Paraklisa Club Restaurant

Located at the very centre of Pleven, next to the Ivan Radoev Theatre, this restaurant offers excellent Eastern European food and many traditional Bulgarian dishes. Their Quattro forage salad is a must-try, as well as Caesar salad and chicken fillet with curry and honey. A pleasant wine list is also available, all at great prices. For this delicious meal, you will pay an average of 1 Euro to 5 Euro only. The restaurant is open from 8 am to 11 pm and closes on Sundays.

2. Hummus House

A great vegetarian restaurant in Pleven, Hummus House, offers a variety of healthy and vegan meals. Lentil meatballs with tomato sauce and mashed potatoes are perfect for a cold winter night. The place is open from 10:30 am to 11 pm on weekdays and from 12 pm to 11 pm on weekends.

3. Corona

Corona is a vegetarian-friendly restaurant that offers a variety of European and Central European cuisine. Equipped with nice outdoor seating, it might take a bit to find this restaurant, but it is worth it. Corona is closed on Sundays and open the rest of the week from 11 am to midnight.

4. Budapeshta

This restaurant opens at 11 am and offers Eastern European cuisine at a reasonable price. Their speciality is mushroom risotto, and they have a variety of good appetisers and main courses to choose from. Prices range from 2 Euros to 10 and 15 Euros.

If you’re ever in Bulgaria, we’d love to welcome you to Pleven. The city might be a little bit off the busy life of Sofia, but it’s a great place where you’ll surely enjoy your time, relax, have great food, and be budget-friendly!

FAQs about Traveling to Pleven

Are you embarking on a journey to Pleven? Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit effectively. Dive into these insights to make your trip to Pleven as enjoyable and seamless as possible.