Ruse, Bulgaria

Ruse is located on the Danube River and is sometimes called Little Vienna for its architecture. It also has an extensive pedestrian zone with parks, fountains and numerous fancy buildings. We were here for 4 nights which gave us plenty of time to explore side streets, visit museums, and sit in parks and streetside cafes.

We have been receiving an education in the Bulgarian National Revival, a period from the late 1700s (while the country was ruled by the Ottomans) until Bulgaria came an independent nation in 1878 after the Russians defeated the Ottomans. Many monuments and historic sites are focused on events and people from this period of time.

Monument of Liberty in main square

National Revival style house

Socialist style city hall