Pleven
Capital: Pleven
Population: 310,449
Area: 4,333.54 km²
Municipalities: Belene, Gulyantsi, Dolna Mitropoliya, Dolni Dabnik, Levski, Nikopol, Iskar,
Pleven, Pordim, Cherven Bryag, Knezha
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Governor: Tsvetko Tsvetkov
Website: http://www.pleven-oblast.bg
Pleven Province or Pleven Oblast is a province located in central northern Bulgaria, bordering the Danube River, Romania and the Bulgarian provinces of Vratsa, Veliko Tarnovo and Lovech. Pleven Province embraces a territory of 4,333.54 km² and a population of 310,449. The capital is the city of Pleven.
Geography
The province is part of the Danubian plain. It is crossed from south to north by the rivers Iskar, Vit and Osam (from west to east); the river valleys are separated by limestone plateaus.
Pleven
Population: 138,139 (2006-03-14)
Altitude: 116 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 25' north, 24° 37' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Nayden Zelenogorski
Website: http://www.pleven.bg
Pleven (Bulgarian: Плевен ['pleven], known as Plevna in English in some historical documents) is the seventh most populated town in Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of the country and is the capital of Pleven Province, as well as of the subordinate Pleven municipality. The landscape is suitable for building homes for rent Bulgaria on it.
Location
Pleven is located in the very heart of Miziya, in the agricultural region, surrounded by low limestone hills. Its central location in Northern Bulgaria defines its importance as a big administrative, economic, political, cultural and transport centre. The town is located 170 km from the capital town of Sofia, at 320 km from the Black sea coast, at 50 km from the Danube river, at 130 km from the Danube bridge and at about 70 km from the Balkan.
Pleven municipality manages 816.3 sq.m. territory, 580 000 decares of which - land under cultivation.
History
Prehistory and Antiquity
The earliest traces of human settlement in the area date from the 5th millennium BC, the Neolithic. Numerous archeological findings, among them the largest golden treasure found in Bulgaria, evidence for the rich culture of the Thracians, who have inhabited the area for thousands of years.
In the beginning of the new era, the region became part of the Roman province of Moesia, and a road station called Storgosia arose near present-day Pleven on the road from Oescus (near modern Gigen) to Philippopolis (now Plovdiv), that later evolved into a fortress. One of the most valued archeological monuments in Bulgaria from the period is the Early Christian basilica from the 4th century found near the modern town.
Middle Ages
During the Dark Ages, Pleven was a well-developed stronghold. When Slavs populated the region, they gave the settlement its contemporary name (Pleven comes either from the Slavic word "plevnya" ("barn") or from "plevel", meaning "weed", that share the same root). The name is first mentioned in a charter by Magyar King Stephen V in 1270 in connection to a military campaign in Bulgarian lands.
Ottoman rule
During Ottoman rule, Pleven preserved its Bulgarian appearance and culture. Many churches, schools and bridges were built at the time of the Bulgarian National Revival. In 1825, the first secular school in the town was opened, followed by the first girls' school in Bulgaria in 1840, as well as the first boys' school a year later. Pleven is the place where Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski grounded the first revolutionary committee in 1869, part of his national rebel network.
Siege of Pleven
The city was a major battle scene during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 that Russian Tsar Alexander II held for the purpose of liberation of Bulgaria. The joint Russian and Romanian army paid dearly for the victory, but it paved the path to the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in this war, and the restoration of Bulgaria as a state. It cost the Russians and Romanians 5 months and 38,000 casualties to liberate the town after four assaults in what was one of the decisive battles of the war.
The 1911 Britannica concluded its lengthy entry on Pleven (transcribed as Plevna) with the memorable dictum: "Plevna is a striking example of the futility of the purely passive defense, which is doomed to failure however tenaciously carried out. Victories which are not followed up are useless. War without strategy is mere butchery."
Modern history
The events of the Russo-Turkish War proved crucial for the development of Pleven as a key settlement of central northern Bulgaria. The town experienced significant demographic and economic growth in the following years, gradually establishing itself as a cultural centre of the region which develops tourism and homes for rent Bulgaria.
Demographics
According to statistical data, Pleven has a population of about 140,000. The ethnic breakdown is 94% Bulgarians and 5% Roma, with other ethnic groups being represented by about 1%.
Ecology
The domestic and the industrial refuse waters are collected by the town purifying station for refuse waters – the village of Bozhuritsa (20 km from the town of Pleven). The technological scheme of the station is a classical one – mechanical and biological purification of the refuse waters, and includes the following equipment along the water track: mechanized grating, air providing sand holders, primary radial sedimentary corridor bio water pools, with pneumatic aeration and secondary radial sedimentary. The treating of the sediments is accomplished with the following equipment: drying fields for a sand control panel, mud gasket for the rotted residues, methane tanks (temporary for mesosphere regime) and fields for drying the rotted residues. The famous clear water of the local springs attract travelers who reside in homes for rent Bulgaria.
The station for mechanical drying with specialized centrifuge of the residues is at the stage of construction and it is to be let into regular exploitation which will solve the problems of the residues treating. The average daily incoming quantity of water is 81 149 cubic meters.
Business
Branch business
Branch Business Chamber - Pleven, is a non-government organization with more than 10 years' history. It is a successor of the Regional union for non-government initiative of the citizens, registered in1999 with head office the town of Pleven, No: 3 "Lyuben Karavelov" Str. Members of the Branch Business Chamber are physical and juridical people, registered according to the Trade law with a private participation, including the small and the middle business on the territory of the region. Branch Business Chamber offers to its members: consultant and business services; normative and legal consultations; technical assistance in the development of business programmes; cooperation and exchange of information with other related institutions. Its structure is open to new members. The companies, members of Branch Business Chamber are selected in branch unions. The branch of the homes for rent Bulgaria is also presented among its members. The Branch Business Chamber is a member of the Regional centre for support of the non-government entrepreneurs - Pleven, and of the Agency for small and middle enterprises - Sofia.
Indipendent umion of the consumers in Bulgaria
The Independent Union of the Consumers in Bulgaria has been established in 1999. It is a national association of citizens, aiming to protect the health, the safety and the economic interests of the consumers by means of encouraging their right to information, education and civil representation. Towards the present moment the association has representative offices in all regional towns in Bulgaria. The Independent Union of the Consumers in Bulgaria can participate through its representatives in the work of consultative structures, committees and working groups to the authorities for protection of the consumers. From May 2000, with the establishment of the National council for protection of the consumers, the Independent Union of the Consumers in Bulgaria has its own representative in it.
Companies
On the territory of Pleven municipality there are 6000 companies, 63 of which state and 22 municipal ones.
The main manufactures are in the machinery construction and the metal processing, the electrical engineering and the electronic, the chemical and the oil processing industries, the industry for construction materials, the timber processing, the glass industry, the leather industry, the furrier's industry and the shoe industry, the food, wine and tobacco industry, the textile industry. The development of industry promotes the fast increase of the branch of the homes for rent Bulgaria.
Lubricating oils and petrol, motor and electric cars, hydraulic presses, mini compressors, machines for casting with anti pressure and under pressure, casts from steel and cast iron, aluminum casts for machinery building, electronics, electrical engineering and construction of cars, thermal stations, wine and alcoholic beverages, beer, milk and dairy products, meat and sausages, fruits and vegetable tinned food, lady's, man's and children's knitted products, man's and lady's costumes, shoes, cotton and subsidiary sewing fabrics are produced here.
The private companies are united in branch unions. The complete spectra of sector trade, food, wine and tobacco, garment, shoe, furniture and machinery building industries is represented in them. Most of them are business partners of the companies who let homes for rent Bulgaria. The economic and technical scientific potential of Pleven reveals its creative realization in the activity of the scientific institutions in the town. The Institute of viticulture and wine production is with 100's history and traditions, with national and international prestige. The scientific activity of Pleven Institute for fodders is effective and corresponds to the specificity of the region.
Comunications
On the territory of the Pleven municipality there are 24 ATE, as one of them is digital with a capacity of 5400 subscriber lines, 1000 of which are forecasted for "Storgoziya" living area.
7 ATE are in exploitation in the town of Pleven, the rest are in the villages. All residential places are 100% provided with telephone lines. 57 341 subscriber lines function, 49 069 of which are home telephone lines and 8272 - business ones. The telephone density in the municipality is 39% at 35% for the country.
Religion
About 90% of Pleven's residents are Eastern Orthodox, while 5% of the population is of Muslim denomination. The Diocese of Nikopol, of which Pleven is part, is one of two Roman Catholic dioceses in Bulgaria, and another 5% of the citizens are Roman Catholic by faith, a significant number compared to other Bulgarian cities.
Pleven has three Eastern Orthodox churches, the Bulgarian National Revival St Nicholas Church (1834) that was constructed at the place of a chapel from the Second Bulgarian Empire, St Paraskeva Church (1934) and Holy Trinity Church, built at the place of a church mentioned as early as 1523 in 1870 and inaugurated by Exarches Antim I. A new Eastern Orthodox Church is being built in the Strogoziya quarter. The travel operators who organize tours to the historic churches work in close contact with the companies that deal with homes for rent Bulgaria.
The construction of a large Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Fatima began in 2001. A mosque also exists in the town to serve the needs of the Muslim population, as well as a Protestant church that is situated in the building of the former local puppet theatre.
Culture and Arts
Regional historical museum
The regional historical museum in Pleven investigates, studies, represents, preserves and popularize the monuments of culture, the natural gifts, the flora and the fauna in Pleven county, where significant archeological sites are discovered - the Roman town Ulpia Esxus near by the village of Gigen, the fortress Storgozia, near by Pleven from the late Medieval and the early Bizantian period, the Medieval Bulgarian fortress in Nikopol.
As an organization the museum is a common historical one with a nature and scientific department. The following major special and servicing departments are included in its structure: Archeology, History of Bulgaria ХV-ХІХ century, Contemporary and most contemporary history, Ethnography, Nature, funds and scientific archive, Public relations, Studio for restoration and conservation, Photo laboratory, Library. The foreign residents of the homes for rent Bulgaria never miss to visit these immense sites.
The museum and museum funds are situated in a imposing two-floor building - monument of culture of national importance, with a total area of about 7000 sq.m. and a park with an open exposition on a area of 37 decares. The basic museum fund includes more than 180 000 museum units. The specialized library of the museum disposes with more than 10 000 volumes of scientific literature and periodicals. Since 1976 together with the museums in Vratsa, Vidin and Montana, Pleven museum has participated in the publishing of the annual issue "Information for the museums in North-West Bulgaria", 27 volumes of which are printed up to the present moment.
Cultural clubs, libraries
Cultural Club Saglasie -1869
Cultural club "Saglasie" has been established on 1 October 1869 by the teacher Nestor Markov. Hadzhi petraki Mazhkarov cafe has been used for the purpose. During its 130-year development the cultural club is one of the main factors for the cultural life in Pleven. Since 1946 it is in a building of three floors in the center of Pleven. The concert hall with 500 seats is of the best acoustics in the town and it is suitable for concert records. The cultural club possesses 500 decares of lands, given as a present by the municipality in 1929.
Library
With 340 coins, collected by alert citizens of Pleven, about 5-6- types of newspapers and magazines, 578 volumes of books had been provided to the town. The first Public Pleven library is located in the room of the Wallachian town-hall. According to the cultural club statute it is its "first care". Today the library disposes with a special children's department, two halls and a hall for free access. 250 000 library units are preserved in the library. Prior in its activity is introducing the new computer technologies.
Ballet school
The school is established in 1954 by the master of ballet master Alexander Manolov. For the last 45 more than 5000 children have studied there. a studio for classical ballet, which is a laureate and winner of gold medals from the national festivals is established to the school.
School of fine arts
Children's school of fine arts "Kolorit" has been established 7 years ago to the cultural club "Saglasie" with manager Maya Ananieva. For that period the young artists have become winners of 470 international rewards and prizes of the most popular children's competitions in the world as well as of 180 prizes from national competitions.
School for models
It has been established in 1990 by Georgi Angelov in the cultural club "Saglasie" and it is the first professional school in Pleven. Later it becomes a model agency "Georgi Angelov" with the location the cultural club "Saglasie".
Cultural Club Nikola Vasilev Rakitin
The cultural club "Nikola V. Rakitin" has been established in Pleven in1969 on the territory of the residential complex "Sorgoziya". The library to the cultural club disposes with more than 20 000 volumes of literature and it is the only big library of general education in the region, which provides services to the citizens in the complex. Folklore ensemble "Druzhba", a group for old town songs, youths' group for pop singing and children musical theatre "Arlekin" function to the cultural club. The visitors of Pleven who usually stay in the homes for rent Bulgaria would love to see the performances of the club members.
Besides courses of acrobatics, matriculation and candidate-student courses of mathematics and literature etc. are established. A course of artistic word exits as well. The newest achievement for the cultural club is the center for computer study for children and adults. At the moment the cultural club, together with the ecologic movement "Chista priroda" works on common projects in the sphere of ecology and nature preservation, financed by programmes of Bulgarian and foreign funds.
Cultural Club Razvitie
The cultural club "Razvitie" is established in 1998. It disposes with own base (730 sq.m.all-out area). Nevertheless a part of the activity is transferred outside with the purpose of being in touch with the community. Collective members of cultural club "Razvitie" are: Adolescent and ecologic center; Center for psychiatric and social support; Independent union of the consumers; City center of the branch industry syndicates; Macedonian cultural and educational association.
Sector "Shisey aikido"
The construction of a center for information and education is the next step and since June, it is a fact. The center for information and education "John Atanasov" has its students graduated. The sectors, directed to the physical development of children and youths - alternative club "Turism" and children's school "Shisey aikido" marked a successful start.
Attractions
Historical sights
Most of the sights of the town are connected to the Russo-Turkish War. Only the monuments related to the war are about 200. Some of the more popular include the mausoleum-tomb in honour of the many Russian and Romanian soldiers who lost their lives during the Siege of Pleven and the ossuary in Skobelev Park. Another popular attraction is Pleven Panorama, created after (and reputedly larger than) the Borodino Panorama in Russia on the occasion of the anniversary of the Siege of Pleven. The Pleven Regional Historical Museum is also a popular tourist site usually visited by a great number of the tenants of the homes for rent Bulgaria in the area.
Parks
Pleven is famous for its Kaylaka (where the ruins of the Storgosia fortification can be found) and Skobelev parks. The latter is home to the Pleven Panorama and is situated on the original location of the battle during the Russo-Turkish War.
Sport
Pleven is often regarded as an important centre of sports in Bulgaria, with many noted Bulgarian sportspeople having been born and/or trained in the town, including Tereza Marinova and Galabin Boevski. The sports school in Pleven is thought of as one of the most prominent in the country.
The town hosts two football clubs, Spartak Pleven and Belite Orli, which have separate stadiums. Both teams play in the second Bulgarian league and haven't had any major successes in the past, although Spartak Pleven has been the first team for a couple of former national players such as Plamen Getov.
Spartak Pleven is also a basketball team, a national championship winner in 1995 and national cup winner in 1996 (then named Plama Pleven). Other than that, the team is a regular first league participant.
Dramatic theatre "Ivan Radoev"
More than 80 years ago the professional theatre in Pleven is in touch with the audience. Many talented creators have left a significant trace in the mind of their audience. In the cultural history of the town of Pleven the dramatic theatre "Ivan Radoev" has always follow the problems of the time with a constant pursuit of justice and beauty.
22th of December 1819 is accepted as a birth date of the theatre in Pleven. A month later the first performance is on the stage in Pleven -KIN by Alexander Dumas. In 1946 Pleven theatre has been nationalized with a decree by the Council of Ministers. Besides the producers, within the theatre staff, here, own performances have been performed by guest stars such as Nikolay O. Masalitinov, Grisha Ostrovaski, Elka Mihaylova, Nadezhda Soykova, Kosta Tsonev, Dimitar Gochev, Atanas Mihaylov, Krasimir Spasov, Margarita Mladenova, Boyko Bogdanov, Plamen Panev and many others. The theatre is the most beloved among all local cultural institutes for the tourists who prefer the services of the homes for rent Bulgaria.
Without the magnificent actors' presence in Pleven there would have not been any possibility for so many interesting performances. The greatest contribution for the development of the theatre is due to the actors Penka Kuleva, Kosta Trendafilov, Petar Pankov, Doychin Doychinov, Vladimir Filipov, Mihayl Mihaylov, Sahsa Filipova, Nadya Topalova, Georgi Kishkilov, Mariya Shivacheva, Lyubomir Yalamov, Lilyana Tsacheva, Minka Ilieva, Dimitar Hadzhiiski, Hristo Domuschiev, Ivan Valchanov, Nikola Dobrev, Marin Dilkov, Velyo Goranov, Veneta Zhyumbyuleva, Georgi Novakov, Gergana Kardarova and others.
Art galeries
Art gallery "Iliya Beshkov"
One of the biggest galleries in the country, built up especially for the purpose is Art gallary "Iliya Beshkov" - Pleven. It has been established in 1959 and it has been moved in the new building in 1978. Today more than 6000 pieces of art divided into different funds: Paintings, Graphics, Sculpture, Applied arts, Icons, are preserved there. Here, a significant part - more than 900 pieces of art of the creative work of the gallery patron is collected. The creative work of the national artist Angel Spasov - the teacher of several generations of artists in Pleven, remarkable names in the contemporary Bulgarian art, is preserved in an especially detached fund "Angel Spasov", which contains more than 700 pieces of art - sculpture, pictures, personal archive of the artist.
The biggest collection of the African stone plastics shona in Europe is possession of the Art gallery "Iliya Beshkov" - 104 sculptures from Zimbabwe. Graphic collections: "West European engraving VIII-XIX century" "Revival prints and engravings", author's collections, etc. are detached to the fund "Art of painting". Fund "Planners", representing 20-year history of the International planner of the art of painting - Pleven is established to the fund "The art of painting". It has more the 350 creations of artists from four continents. The fund "Icons" to the Art Gallery preserves a collection of 270 creations of the late period of Revival in Pleven region and is being visited by a great number of the tenants in the local homes for rent Bulgaria.
The gallery has a permanent exposition - an art of painting and sculpture, following the development of the Bulgarian artist's art after the period of the national independence till the present days. Here, the classical authors Nikolay Pavlovich, Ivan Markvichka, Anton Mitov, B.Denev, Sirak Skitnik, St. Ivanov, Tseno Todorov, M.Zhekov, Iliya Petrov, Stoyan Venev, David Perst, Vasil Barakov, Vladimir Dimitrov - the Master, Kiril Petrov, Zlatyo Boyadzhiev, Dechko Uzunov, Nenko Balkanski, Ivan Nenov, Vera Nedkova, B. Obreshkov and many others are presented. The second floor represents the artists - establishers of Pleven group and the contemporary Bulgarian art. Due to the contribution and the popularization of the Bulgarian culture in 1999 Art gallery "Iliya Beshkov" (the only one of the all galleries in the country) is honoured with an honorable diploma from the Ministry of culture.
Endowment "Svetlin Rusev collection" - Pleven
Part of the exposition: In 1984 the famous artist professor Svetlin Rusev (1933) - one of the greatest Bulgarian collectors of creations of art, made a present of 322 creations of the art of painting and sculptures to his birth town Pleven. The endowment includes creations of the Revival (icons and fretwork) and of the contemporary Bulgarian art, west European sculpture, Indian and African fretwork plastics, Latin-American, Romanian, Serbian art of paintings. Bulgarian authors, which creations are presented in the collection are one of the most notable sculptures and painters, living and working from the beginning of the XX century till the present days, whose creations denote the plastic and spiritual tendencies of the time.
The old public baths: For the purpose of exposing the endowment, Pleven municipality place at disposal the reconstructed building of the old public baths, which is a monument of architecture and culture. Arch. Nikola Lazarov (1870 - 1942), one of the establishers of the contemporary Bulgarian architecture is its constructor. It had been constructed in 1607. The synthesis between the unique architecture and the fine art is perfect; the suggested idea is of church spirit and clarity. In 1999 prof. Svetlin Rusev gave another gift of 82 graphics and pictures - Bulgarian prints from the Revival, contemporary Bulgarian graphics and pictures and West European graphics from XVIII, XIX and XX century with creations from Delakrua, Goya, Mile, Picasso, Dally. Some of the foreign tourists who use to reside the local homes for rent Bulgaria come here to see the masterworks of S. Rusev. The halls where the collection is situated are a unique stage for the performances of highly professional. Here, the words of notable poets and writers sound for the first time before the audience.
Notable natives
Emil Dimitrov, singer and composer; Tereza Marinova, triple jump athlete, Olympic games gold medal winner in 2000; Slavi Trifonov, popular showman and singer; Svetlin Rusev, artist; Lucy Diakovska, singer; Silvia Dimitrova, artist
Twin cities
Rostov-on-Don, Russia; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Volos, Greece; Guimarães, Portugal.
Trivia
A city in Kansas and a town in Montana in the United States were named after Pleven, or more precisely its historical name in English Plevna, the main reason for which is the battle in 1877.
Transport sistem
Pleven County has very good conditions for the development of a suitable infrastructure for servicing the economic and the social sphere. The total size of the road net is about 1400 km, as to 100 км2 there are 32 km roads. The first class roads from Sofia to Ruse and Varna are of a big importance. The town of Pleven is located 176 km far from Sofia; the distance to Ruse is 148 km, and to Varna - 306 km.
On the territory of the county there are about 200 km railway lines, providing connection with the Black Sea, the Danube River and the capital. The main railway line in the county and for the Northern central region is the road section Cherven bryag - Gorna Oryahovitsa from the railway line Sofia - Varna. The well developed infrastructure also promotes the development of tourism and letting of homes for rent Bulgaria.
The access to the Danube River favours the development of the infrastructure, as the length of the coast line is 72 km. Four ports function on the territory of the county - in the town of Nikopol, the village of Somovit, the village of Zagrazhden and the village of Baikal. Customs Control Entrance-Exit Passage Somovit is located there.
Sport and recreation
The achievements of the sportsmen of Pleven, the traditions and the succession are the major prerequisites for the fact that Pleven has become one of the leading sport centers in Bulgaria. Hundreds are the sportsmen of Pleven who have won medals from Olympic, world and European championships during the last years. In the near past the wrestlers, the weight lifting competitors and the oarsmen won the biggest number of medals. Pleven school of acrobatics has long ago become the cradle of world and European champions, and the sport club of track-and-field athletics constantly fills the national clubs with qualitative competitors. The table-tennis clubs and the volleyball clubs are traditionally strong.
After the winning of the championship title for 1995 and the Cup of Bulgaria for 1996 "Spartak" basketball club is again a factor in our national championship. The football players of FC “Spartak” are leaders in “B” RFG. The competitors in horse riding, karate achieved serious excellent results. Each year over 2500 students participate in the municipal and the regional student's games of football, basketball, volleyball, chess mat and others. The sport school in the town is undoubtedly the strongest school for development of sport talents. The modern in-kind base of the school, the high level of educational and training process and the good specialists are prerequisites for higher future successes.
Pleven sportsmen dispose with two stadiums, halls for tennis, volleyball and basketball, indoor track-and-field athletics track, two tennis courts, Ruder-swimming-pool for an annual training, horse riding base and others. Kaylaka Park is the favourite place for recreation of the citizens of Pleven with conditions for a mass sport. The town of Pleven disposes with a modern Sport dispensary, which provides a constant medical control to the active sportsmen and provides a possibility for accomplishment of healing and recreation procedures.
Belene
Province (oblast): Pleven
Population: 9826 (15.12.2004)
Altitude: 27 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 39' north, 25° 7' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Petar Dulev
The Danube at BeleneBelene (Bulgarian: Белене) is a town in northern Bulgaria. It is located in Pleven Province and is close to Svishtov. Belene is situated on the right bank of the Danube. It was proclaimed a town in 1964, which is celebrated every year in the first week of September with a market and cultural events. It is best known for the prison on Belene Island and as the proposed site of Bulgaria's second nuclear power plant, which has been under construction 7 km east of the town until it was interrupted in 1990 due to pressure from environmentalists. There are plans to start construction again as a replacement for reactors 3 and 4 at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, which Bulgaria has to shut down as a condition for EU membership.
Levski
Province (oblast): Pleven
Population: 13,152 (13.09.2005)
Altitude: 51 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 22' north, 25° 8' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Georgi Karadzhov
Levski (Левски) is a town in central northern Bulgaria, in the very southeast of Pleven Province. It is located in the valley of the Osam River and was called Karağaç (Turkish for "red elm") during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria and until 1897, when it was renamed after the Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski. The then-village was proclaimed a town in 1945, reportedly the first to become one after World War II in Bulgaria.
Notable natives include actor Georgi Partsalev and writer Doncho Tsonchev.
Nikopol
Nikopol (Никопол) is a town in northern Bulgaria, part of Pleven Province, on the right bank of the Danube River, 4 km downstream from the mouth of the Osam river. It spreads at the foot of steep chalk cliffs along the Danube and up a narrow valley.
In Roman times, it was a village in the province of Moesia, first mentioned in 169. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the town found itself at the northern border of the Byzantine Empire. In 1059, it was named Nikopol (City of Victory). In one of the last stands of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Shishman, the town was conquered by the Ottomans in 1393. It was the site of the Battle of Nicopolis, both the largest and last large-scale 'crusade' of the Dark Ages, in 1396. Under Ottoman rule, Nikopol developed into an important military and administrative centre, with a strong fortress and a flourishing economic, spiritual and political life, until it went into a decline during the 17th and 18th centuries. Nikopol was liberated by the Russians in the Battle of Nikopol in 1877. The great history of the town and its surroundings attracts visitors who can use the services of the local hotels and the homes for rent Bulgaria.
It presently has a population of 4,976. It is the seat of the Nikopol municipality and provides services to the local villages. A landing for a car ferry is under construction which will connect the town with Turnu Măgurele on the other side of the Danube in Romania.
Nikopol was partially flooded by the Danube during the 2006 European floods.
Cherven Bryag
Province (oblast): Pleven
Population: 17,405 (13.09.2005)
Altitude: 187 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 25' north, 24° 37' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Rumen Penkov
Cherven Bryag (Червен бряг) is a town in northern Bulgaria, part of Pleven Province, on the right shore of the Zlatna Panega. Cherven Bryag is a medieval settlement mentioned in 1431 in Ottoman registers as Dobrolak. Under its present name, meaning "red shore" and referring to the reddish clay in the vicinity of the river, Cherven Bryag was first recorded in the 16h century as part of the Ottoman region of Nikopol. On 26 June 1929, Prime Minister Andrey Lyapchev proclaimed the former village and railway station a town. Now it offers homes for rent Bulgaria along the River of Danube for the visitors.
Knezha
Province (oblast): Pleven
Population: 12,961 (13.09.2005)
Altitude: 136 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 30' north, 24° 5' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Simeon Sharabanski
Knezha (Кнежа, pronounced [kne'ʒa]) is a town in Pleven Province in northern Bulgaria. The town's name is most probably derived from the Slavic word knyaz ("prince, duke"), most likely after a local ruler that defended the population in the area during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria.
Population: 310,449
Area: 4,333.54 km²
Municipalities: Belene, Gulyantsi, Dolna Mitropoliya, Dolni Dabnik, Levski, Nikopol, Iskar,
Pleven, Pordim, Cherven Bryag, Knezha
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Governor: Tsvetko Tsvetkov
Website: http://www.pleven-oblast.bg
Pleven Province or Pleven Oblast is a province located in central northern Bulgaria, bordering the Danube River, Romania and the Bulgarian provinces of Vratsa, Veliko Tarnovo and Lovech. Pleven Province embraces a territory of 4,333.54 km² and a population of 310,449. The capital is the city of Pleven.
Geography
The province is part of the Danubian plain. It is crossed from south to north by the rivers Iskar, Vit and Osam (from west to east); the river valleys are separated by limestone plateaus.
Pleven
Population: 138,139 (2006-03-14)
Altitude: 116 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 25' north, 24° 37' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Nayden Zelenogorski
Website: http://www.pleven.bg
Pleven (Bulgarian: Плевен ['pleven], known as Plevna in English in some historical documents) is the seventh most populated town in Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of the country and is the capital of Pleven Province, as well as of the subordinate Pleven municipality. The landscape is suitable for building homes for rent Bulgaria on it.
Location
Pleven is located in the very heart of Miziya, in the agricultural region, surrounded by low limestone hills. Its central location in Northern Bulgaria defines its importance as a big administrative, economic, political, cultural and transport centre. The town is located 170 km from the capital town of Sofia, at 320 km from the Black sea coast, at 50 km from the Danube river, at 130 km from the Danube bridge and at about 70 km from the Balkan.
Pleven municipality manages 816.3 sq.m. territory, 580 000 decares of which - land under cultivation.
History
Prehistory and Antiquity
The earliest traces of human settlement in the area date from the 5th millennium BC, the Neolithic. Numerous archeological findings, among them the largest golden treasure found in Bulgaria, evidence for the rich culture of the Thracians, who have inhabited the area for thousands of years.
In the beginning of the new era, the region became part of the Roman province of Moesia, and a road station called Storgosia arose near present-day Pleven on the road from Oescus (near modern Gigen) to Philippopolis (now Plovdiv), that later evolved into a fortress. One of the most valued archeological monuments in Bulgaria from the period is the Early Christian basilica from the 4th century found near the modern town.
Middle Ages
During the Dark Ages, Pleven was a well-developed stronghold. When Slavs populated the region, they gave the settlement its contemporary name (Pleven comes either from the Slavic word "plevnya" ("barn") or from "plevel", meaning "weed", that share the same root). The name is first mentioned in a charter by Magyar King Stephen V in 1270 in connection to a military campaign in Bulgarian lands.
Ottoman rule
During Ottoman rule, Pleven preserved its Bulgarian appearance and culture. Many churches, schools and bridges were built at the time of the Bulgarian National Revival. In 1825, the first secular school in the town was opened, followed by the first girls' school in Bulgaria in 1840, as well as the first boys' school a year later. Pleven is the place where Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski grounded the first revolutionary committee in 1869, part of his national rebel network.
Siege of Pleven
The city was a major battle scene during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 that Russian Tsar Alexander II held for the purpose of liberation of Bulgaria. The joint Russian and Romanian army paid dearly for the victory, but it paved the path to the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in this war, and the restoration of Bulgaria as a state. It cost the Russians and Romanians 5 months and 38,000 casualties to liberate the town after four assaults in what was one of the decisive battles of the war.
The 1911 Britannica concluded its lengthy entry on Pleven (transcribed as Plevna) with the memorable dictum: "Plevna is a striking example of the futility of the purely passive defense, which is doomed to failure however tenaciously carried out. Victories which are not followed up are useless. War without strategy is mere butchery."
Modern history
The events of the Russo-Turkish War proved crucial for the development of Pleven as a key settlement of central northern Bulgaria. The town experienced significant demographic and economic growth in the following years, gradually establishing itself as a cultural centre of the region which develops tourism and homes for rent Bulgaria.
Demographics
According to statistical data, Pleven has a population of about 140,000. The ethnic breakdown is 94% Bulgarians and 5% Roma, with other ethnic groups being represented by about 1%.
Ecology
The domestic and the industrial refuse waters are collected by the town purifying station for refuse waters – the village of Bozhuritsa (20 km from the town of Pleven). The technological scheme of the station is a classical one – mechanical and biological purification of the refuse waters, and includes the following equipment along the water track: mechanized grating, air providing sand holders, primary radial sedimentary corridor bio water pools, with pneumatic aeration and secondary radial sedimentary. The treating of the sediments is accomplished with the following equipment: drying fields for a sand control panel, mud gasket for the rotted residues, methane tanks (temporary for mesosphere regime) and fields for drying the rotted residues. The famous clear water of the local springs attract travelers who reside in homes for rent Bulgaria.
The station for mechanical drying with specialized centrifuge of the residues is at the stage of construction and it is to be let into regular exploitation which will solve the problems of the residues treating. The average daily incoming quantity of water is 81 149 cubic meters.
Business
Branch business
Branch Business Chamber - Pleven, is a non-government organization with more than 10 years' history. It is a successor of the Regional union for non-government initiative of the citizens, registered in1999 with head office the town of Pleven, No: 3 "Lyuben Karavelov" Str. Members of the Branch Business Chamber are physical and juridical people, registered according to the Trade law with a private participation, including the small and the middle business on the territory of the region. Branch Business Chamber offers to its members: consultant and business services; normative and legal consultations; technical assistance in the development of business programmes; cooperation and exchange of information with other related institutions. Its structure is open to new members. The companies, members of Branch Business Chamber are selected in branch unions. The branch of the homes for rent Bulgaria is also presented among its members. The Branch Business Chamber is a member of the Regional centre for support of the non-government entrepreneurs - Pleven, and of the Agency for small and middle enterprises - Sofia.
Indipendent umion of the consumers in Bulgaria
The Independent Union of the Consumers in Bulgaria has been established in 1999. It is a national association of citizens, aiming to protect the health, the safety and the economic interests of the consumers by means of encouraging their right to information, education and civil representation. Towards the present moment the association has representative offices in all regional towns in Bulgaria. The Independent Union of the Consumers in Bulgaria can participate through its representatives in the work of consultative structures, committees and working groups to the authorities for protection of the consumers. From May 2000, with the establishment of the National council for protection of the consumers, the Independent Union of the Consumers in Bulgaria has its own representative in it.
Companies
On the territory of Pleven municipality there are 6000 companies, 63 of which state and 22 municipal ones.
The main manufactures are in the machinery construction and the metal processing, the electrical engineering and the electronic, the chemical and the oil processing industries, the industry for construction materials, the timber processing, the glass industry, the leather industry, the furrier's industry and the shoe industry, the food, wine and tobacco industry, the textile industry. The development of industry promotes the fast increase of the branch of the homes for rent Bulgaria.
Lubricating oils and petrol, motor and electric cars, hydraulic presses, mini compressors, machines for casting with anti pressure and under pressure, casts from steel and cast iron, aluminum casts for machinery building, electronics, electrical engineering and construction of cars, thermal stations, wine and alcoholic beverages, beer, milk and dairy products, meat and sausages, fruits and vegetable tinned food, lady's, man's and children's knitted products, man's and lady's costumes, shoes, cotton and subsidiary sewing fabrics are produced here.
The private companies are united in branch unions. The complete spectra of sector trade, food, wine and tobacco, garment, shoe, furniture and machinery building industries is represented in them. Most of them are business partners of the companies who let homes for rent Bulgaria. The economic and technical scientific potential of Pleven reveals its creative realization in the activity of the scientific institutions in the town. The Institute of viticulture and wine production is with 100's history and traditions, with national and international prestige. The scientific activity of Pleven Institute for fodders is effective and corresponds to the specificity of the region.
Comunications
On the territory of the Pleven municipality there are 24 ATE, as one of them is digital with a capacity of 5400 subscriber lines, 1000 of which are forecasted for "Storgoziya" living area.
7 ATE are in exploitation in the town of Pleven, the rest are in the villages. All residential places are 100% provided with telephone lines. 57 341 subscriber lines function, 49 069 of which are home telephone lines and 8272 - business ones. The telephone density in the municipality is 39% at 35% for the country.
Religion
About 90% of Pleven's residents are Eastern Orthodox, while 5% of the population is of Muslim denomination. The Diocese of Nikopol, of which Pleven is part, is one of two Roman Catholic dioceses in Bulgaria, and another 5% of the citizens are Roman Catholic by faith, a significant number compared to other Bulgarian cities.
Pleven has three Eastern Orthodox churches, the Bulgarian National Revival St Nicholas Church (1834) that was constructed at the place of a chapel from the Second Bulgarian Empire, St Paraskeva Church (1934) and Holy Trinity Church, built at the place of a church mentioned as early as 1523 in 1870 and inaugurated by Exarches Antim I. A new Eastern Orthodox Church is being built in the Strogoziya quarter. The travel operators who organize tours to the historic churches work in close contact with the companies that deal with homes for rent Bulgaria.
The construction of a large Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Fatima began in 2001. A mosque also exists in the town to serve the needs of the Muslim population, as well as a Protestant church that is situated in the building of the former local puppet theatre.
Culture and Arts
Regional historical museum
The regional historical museum in Pleven investigates, studies, represents, preserves and popularize the monuments of culture, the natural gifts, the flora and the fauna in Pleven county, where significant archeological sites are discovered - the Roman town Ulpia Esxus near by the village of Gigen, the fortress Storgozia, near by Pleven from the late Medieval and the early Bizantian period, the Medieval Bulgarian fortress in Nikopol.
As an organization the museum is a common historical one with a nature and scientific department. The following major special and servicing departments are included in its structure: Archeology, History of Bulgaria ХV-ХІХ century, Contemporary and most contemporary history, Ethnography, Nature, funds and scientific archive, Public relations, Studio for restoration and conservation, Photo laboratory, Library. The foreign residents of the homes for rent Bulgaria never miss to visit these immense sites.
The museum and museum funds are situated in a imposing two-floor building - monument of culture of national importance, with a total area of about 7000 sq.m. and a park with an open exposition on a area of 37 decares. The basic museum fund includes more than 180 000 museum units. The specialized library of the museum disposes with more than 10 000 volumes of scientific literature and periodicals. Since 1976 together with the museums in Vratsa, Vidin and Montana, Pleven museum has participated in the publishing of the annual issue "Information for the museums in North-West Bulgaria", 27 volumes of which are printed up to the present moment.
Cultural clubs, libraries
Cultural Club Saglasie -1869
Cultural club "Saglasie" has been established on 1 October 1869 by the teacher Nestor Markov. Hadzhi petraki Mazhkarov cafe has been used for the purpose. During its 130-year development the cultural club is one of the main factors for the cultural life in Pleven. Since 1946 it is in a building of three floors in the center of Pleven. The concert hall with 500 seats is of the best acoustics in the town and it is suitable for concert records. The cultural club possesses 500 decares of lands, given as a present by the municipality in 1929.
Library
With 340 coins, collected by alert citizens of Pleven, about 5-6- types of newspapers and magazines, 578 volumes of books had been provided to the town. The first Public Pleven library is located in the room of the Wallachian town-hall. According to the cultural club statute it is its "first care". Today the library disposes with a special children's department, two halls and a hall for free access. 250 000 library units are preserved in the library. Prior in its activity is introducing the new computer technologies.
Ballet school
The school is established in 1954 by the master of ballet master Alexander Manolov. For the last 45 more than 5000 children have studied there. a studio for classical ballet, which is a laureate and winner of gold medals from the national festivals is established to the school.
School of fine arts
Children's school of fine arts "Kolorit" has been established 7 years ago to the cultural club "Saglasie" with manager Maya Ananieva. For that period the young artists have become winners of 470 international rewards and prizes of the most popular children's competitions in the world as well as of 180 prizes from national competitions.
School for models
It has been established in 1990 by Georgi Angelov in the cultural club "Saglasie" and it is the first professional school in Pleven. Later it becomes a model agency "Georgi Angelov" with the location the cultural club "Saglasie".
Cultural Club Nikola Vasilev Rakitin
The cultural club "Nikola V. Rakitin" has been established in Pleven in1969 on the territory of the residential complex "Sorgoziya". The library to the cultural club disposes with more than 20 000 volumes of literature and it is the only big library of general education in the region, which provides services to the citizens in the complex. Folklore ensemble "Druzhba", a group for old town songs, youths' group for pop singing and children musical theatre "Arlekin" function to the cultural club. The visitors of Pleven who usually stay in the homes for rent Bulgaria would love to see the performances of the club members.
Besides courses of acrobatics, matriculation and candidate-student courses of mathematics and literature etc. are established. A course of artistic word exits as well. The newest achievement for the cultural club is the center for computer study for children and adults. At the moment the cultural club, together with the ecologic movement "Chista priroda" works on common projects in the sphere of ecology and nature preservation, financed by programmes of Bulgarian and foreign funds.
Cultural Club Razvitie
The cultural club "Razvitie" is established in 1998. It disposes with own base (730 sq.m.all-out area). Nevertheless a part of the activity is transferred outside with the purpose of being in touch with the community. Collective members of cultural club "Razvitie" are: Adolescent and ecologic center; Center for psychiatric and social support; Independent union of the consumers; City center of the branch industry syndicates; Macedonian cultural and educational association.
Sector "Shisey aikido"
The construction of a center for information and education is the next step and since June, it is a fact. The center for information and education "John Atanasov" has its students graduated. The sectors, directed to the physical development of children and youths - alternative club "Turism" and children's school "Shisey aikido" marked a successful start.
Attractions
Historical sights
Most of the sights of the town are connected to the Russo-Turkish War. Only the monuments related to the war are about 200. Some of the more popular include the mausoleum-tomb in honour of the many Russian and Romanian soldiers who lost their lives during the Siege of Pleven and the ossuary in Skobelev Park. Another popular attraction is Pleven Panorama, created after (and reputedly larger than) the Borodino Panorama in Russia on the occasion of the anniversary of the Siege of Pleven. The Pleven Regional Historical Museum is also a popular tourist site usually visited by a great number of the tenants of the homes for rent Bulgaria in the area.
Parks
Pleven is famous for its Kaylaka (where the ruins of the Storgosia fortification can be found) and Skobelev parks. The latter is home to the Pleven Panorama and is situated on the original location of the battle during the Russo-Turkish War.
Sport
Pleven is often regarded as an important centre of sports in Bulgaria, with many noted Bulgarian sportspeople having been born and/or trained in the town, including Tereza Marinova and Galabin Boevski. The sports school in Pleven is thought of as one of the most prominent in the country.
The town hosts two football clubs, Spartak Pleven and Belite Orli, which have separate stadiums. Both teams play in the second Bulgarian league and haven't had any major successes in the past, although Spartak Pleven has been the first team for a couple of former national players such as Plamen Getov.
Spartak Pleven is also a basketball team, a national championship winner in 1995 and national cup winner in 1996 (then named Plama Pleven). Other than that, the team is a regular first league participant.
Dramatic theatre "Ivan Radoev"
More than 80 years ago the professional theatre in Pleven is in touch with the audience. Many talented creators have left a significant trace in the mind of their audience. In the cultural history of the town of Pleven the dramatic theatre "Ivan Radoev" has always follow the problems of the time with a constant pursuit of justice and beauty.
22th of December 1819 is accepted as a birth date of the theatre in Pleven. A month later the first performance is on the stage in Pleven -KIN by Alexander Dumas. In 1946 Pleven theatre has been nationalized with a decree by the Council of Ministers. Besides the producers, within the theatre staff, here, own performances have been performed by guest stars such as Nikolay O. Masalitinov, Grisha Ostrovaski, Elka Mihaylova, Nadezhda Soykova, Kosta Tsonev, Dimitar Gochev, Atanas Mihaylov, Krasimir Spasov, Margarita Mladenova, Boyko Bogdanov, Plamen Panev and many others. The theatre is the most beloved among all local cultural institutes for the tourists who prefer the services of the homes for rent Bulgaria.
Without the magnificent actors' presence in Pleven there would have not been any possibility for so many interesting performances. The greatest contribution for the development of the theatre is due to the actors Penka Kuleva, Kosta Trendafilov, Petar Pankov, Doychin Doychinov, Vladimir Filipov, Mihayl Mihaylov, Sahsa Filipova, Nadya Topalova, Georgi Kishkilov, Mariya Shivacheva, Lyubomir Yalamov, Lilyana Tsacheva, Minka Ilieva, Dimitar Hadzhiiski, Hristo Domuschiev, Ivan Valchanov, Nikola Dobrev, Marin Dilkov, Velyo Goranov, Veneta Zhyumbyuleva, Georgi Novakov, Gergana Kardarova and others.
Art galeries
Art gallery "Iliya Beshkov"
One of the biggest galleries in the country, built up especially for the purpose is Art gallary "Iliya Beshkov" - Pleven. It has been established in 1959 and it has been moved in the new building in 1978. Today more than 6000 pieces of art divided into different funds: Paintings, Graphics, Sculpture, Applied arts, Icons, are preserved there. Here, a significant part - more than 900 pieces of art of the creative work of the gallery patron is collected. The creative work of the national artist Angel Spasov - the teacher of several generations of artists in Pleven, remarkable names in the contemporary Bulgarian art, is preserved in an especially detached fund "Angel Spasov", which contains more than 700 pieces of art - sculpture, pictures, personal archive of the artist.
The biggest collection of the African stone plastics shona in Europe is possession of the Art gallery "Iliya Beshkov" - 104 sculptures from Zimbabwe. Graphic collections: "West European engraving VIII-XIX century" "Revival prints and engravings", author's collections, etc. are detached to the fund "Art of painting". Fund "Planners", representing 20-year history of the International planner of the art of painting - Pleven is established to the fund "The art of painting". It has more the 350 creations of artists from four continents. The fund "Icons" to the Art Gallery preserves a collection of 270 creations of the late period of Revival in Pleven region and is being visited by a great number of the tenants in the local homes for rent Bulgaria.
The gallery has a permanent exposition - an art of painting and sculpture, following the development of the Bulgarian artist's art after the period of the national independence till the present days. Here, the classical authors Nikolay Pavlovich, Ivan Markvichka, Anton Mitov, B.Denev, Sirak Skitnik, St. Ivanov, Tseno Todorov, M.Zhekov, Iliya Petrov, Stoyan Venev, David Perst, Vasil Barakov, Vladimir Dimitrov - the Master, Kiril Petrov, Zlatyo Boyadzhiev, Dechko Uzunov, Nenko Balkanski, Ivan Nenov, Vera Nedkova, B. Obreshkov and many others are presented. The second floor represents the artists - establishers of Pleven group and the contemporary Bulgarian art. Due to the contribution and the popularization of the Bulgarian culture in 1999 Art gallery "Iliya Beshkov" (the only one of the all galleries in the country) is honoured with an honorable diploma from the Ministry of culture.
Endowment "Svetlin Rusev collection" - Pleven
Part of the exposition: In 1984 the famous artist professor Svetlin Rusev (1933) - one of the greatest Bulgarian collectors of creations of art, made a present of 322 creations of the art of painting and sculptures to his birth town Pleven. The endowment includes creations of the Revival (icons and fretwork) and of the contemporary Bulgarian art, west European sculpture, Indian and African fretwork plastics, Latin-American, Romanian, Serbian art of paintings. Bulgarian authors, which creations are presented in the collection are one of the most notable sculptures and painters, living and working from the beginning of the XX century till the present days, whose creations denote the plastic and spiritual tendencies of the time.
The old public baths: For the purpose of exposing the endowment, Pleven municipality place at disposal the reconstructed building of the old public baths, which is a monument of architecture and culture. Arch. Nikola Lazarov (1870 - 1942), one of the establishers of the contemporary Bulgarian architecture is its constructor. It had been constructed in 1607. The synthesis between the unique architecture and the fine art is perfect; the suggested idea is of church spirit and clarity. In 1999 prof. Svetlin Rusev gave another gift of 82 graphics and pictures - Bulgarian prints from the Revival, contemporary Bulgarian graphics and pictures and West European graphics from XVIII, XIX and XX century with creations from Delakrua, Goya, Mile, Picasso, Dally. Some of the foreign tourists who use to reside the local homes for rent Bulgaria come here to see the masterworks of S. Rusev. The halls where the collection is situated are a unique stage for the performances of highly professional. Here, the words of notable poets and writers sound for the first time before the audience.
Notable natives
Emil Dimitrov, singer and composer; Tereza Marinova, triple jump athlete, Olympic games gold medal winner in 2000; Slavi Trifonov, popular showman and singer; Svetlin Rusev, artist; Lucy Diakovska, singer; Silvia Dimitrova, artist
Twin cities
Rostov-on-Don, Russia; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Volos, Greece; Guimarães, Portugal.
Trivia
A city in Kansas and a town in Montana in the United States were named after Pleven, or more precisely its historical name in English Plevna, the main reason for which is the battle in 1877.
Transport sistem
Pleven County has very good conditions for the development of a suitable infrastructure for servicing the economic and the social sphere. The total size of the road net is about 1400 km, as to 100 км2 there are 32 km roads. The first class roads from Sofia to Ruse and Varna are of a big importance. The town of Pleven is located 176 km far from Sofia; the distance to Ruse is 148 km, and to Varna - 306 km.
On the territory of the county there are about 200 km railway lines, providing connection with the Black Sea, the Danube River and the capital. The main railway line in the county and for the Northern central region is the road section Cherven bryag - Gorna Oryahovitsa from the railway line Sofia - Varna. The well developed infrastructure also promotes the development of tourism and letting of homes for rent Bulgaria.
The access to the Danube River favours the development of the infrastructure, as the length of the coast line is 72 km. Four ports function on the territory of the county - in the town of Nikopol, the village of Somovit, the village of Zagrazhden and the village of Baikal. Customs Control Entrance-Exit Passage Somovit is located there.
Sport and recreation
The achievements of the sportsmen of Pleven, the traditions and the succession are the major prerequisites for the fact that Pleven has become one of the leading sport centers in Bulgaria. Hundreds are the sportsmen of Pleven who have won medals from Olympic, world and European championships during the last years. In the near past the wrestlers, the weight lifting competitors and the oarsmen won the biggest number of medals. Pleven school of acrobatics has long ago become the cradle of world and European champions, and the sport club of track-and-field athletics constantly fills the national clubs with qualitative competitors. The table-tennis clubs and the volleyball clubs are traditionally strong.
After the winning of the championship title for 1995 and the Cup of Bulgaria for 1996 "Spartak" basketball club is again a factor in our national championship. The football players of FC “Spartak” are leaders in “B” RFG. The competitors in horse riding, karate achieved serious excellent results. Each year over 2500 students participate in the municipal and the regional student's games of football, basketball, volleyball, chess mat and others. The sport school in the town is undoubtedly the strongest school for development of sport talents. The modern in-kind base of the school, the high level of educational and training process and the good specialists are prerequisites for higher future successes.
Pleven sportsmen dispose with two stadiums, halls for tennis, volleyball and basketball, indoor track-and-field athletics track, two tennis courts, Ruder-swimming-pool for an annual training, horse riding base and others. Kaylaka Park is the favourite place for recreation of the citizens of Pleven with conditions for a mass sport. The town of Pleven disposes with a modern Sport dispensary, which provides a constant medical control to the active sportsmen and provides a possibility for accomplishment of healing and recreation procedures.
Belene
Province (oblast): Pleven
Population: 9826 (15.12.2004)
Altitude: 27 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 39' north, 25° 7' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Petar Dulev
The Danube at BeleneBelene (Bulgarian: Белене) is a town in northern Bulgaria. It is located in Pleven Province and is close to Svishtov. Belene is situated on the right bank of the Danube. It was proclaimed a town in 1964, which is celebrated every year in the first week of September with a market and cultural events. It is best known for the prison on Belene Island and as the proposed site of Bulgaria's second nuclear power plant, which has been under construction 7 km east of the town until it was interrupted in 1990 due to pressure from environmentalists. There are plans to start construction again as a replacement for reactors 3 and 4 at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, which Bulgaria has to shut down as a condition for EU membership.
Levski
Province (oblast): Pleven
Population: 13,152 (13.09.2005)
Altitude: 51 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 22' north, 25° 8' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Georgi Karadzhov
Levski (Левски) is a town in central northern Bulgaria, in the very southeast of Pleven Province. It is located in the valley of the Osam River and was called Karağaç (Turkish for "red elm") during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria and until 1897, when it was renamed after the Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski. The then-village was proclaimed a town in 1945, reportedly the first to become one after World War II in Bulgaria.
Notable natives include actor Georgi Partsalev and writer Doncho Tsonchev.
Nikopol
Nikopol (Никопол) is a town in northern Bulgaria, part of Pleven Province, on the right bank of the Danube River, 4 km downstream from the mouth of the Osam river. It spreads at the foot of steep chalk cliffs along the Danube and up a narrow valley.
In Roman times, it was a village in the province of Moesia, first mentioned in 169. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the town found itself at the northern border of the Byzantine Empire. In 1059, it was named Nikopol (City of Victory). In one of the last stands of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Shishman, the town was conquered by the Ottomans in 1393. It was the site of the Battle of Nicopolis, both the largest and last large-scale 'crusade' of the Dark Ages, in 1396. Under Ottoman rule, Nikopol developed into an important military and administrative centre, with a strong fortress and a flourishing economic, spiritual and political life, until it went into a decline during the 17th and 18th centuries. Nikopol was liberated by the Russians in the Battle of Nikopol in 1877. The great history of the town and its surroundings attracts visitors who can use the services of the local hotels and the homes for rent Bulgaria.
It presently has a population of 4,976. It is the seat of the Nikopol municipality and provides services to the local villages. A landing for a car ferry is under construction which will connect the town with Turnu Măgurele on the other side of the Danube in Romania.
Nikopol was partially flooded by the Danube during the 2006 European floods.
Cherven Bryag
Province (oblast): Pleven
Population: 17,405 (13.09.2005)
Altitude: 187 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 25' north, 24° 37' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Rumen Penkov
Cherven Bryag (Червен бряг) is a town in northern Bulgaria, part of Pleven Province, on the right shore of the Zlatna Panega. Cherven Bryag is a medieval settlement mentioned in 1431 in Ottoman registers as Dobrolak. Under its present name, meaning "red shore" and referring to the reddish clay in the vicinity of the river, Cherven Bryag was first recorded in the 16h century as part of the Ottoman region of Nikopol. On 26 June 1929, Prime Minister Andrey Lyapchev proclaimed the former village and railway station a town. Now it offers homes for rent Bulgaria along the River of Danube for the visitors.
Knezha
Province (oblast): Pleven
Population: 12,961 (13.09.2005)
Altitude: 136 m
Geographic coordinates: 43° 30' north, 24° 5' east
Time zone: EET; (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Simeon Sharabanski
Knezha (Кнежа, pronounced [kne'ʒa]) is a town in Pleven Province in northern Bulgaria. The town's name is most probably derived from the Slavic word knyaz ("prince, duke"), most likely after a local ruler that defended the population in the area during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria.
