Cherven Fortress

The medieval town-fortress Cherven is located about 30 kilometers south of Ruse, within the nature park Rusenski Lom. The city is the successor of a Byzantine fortress from the VI century and reached its heyday in the XIV century. The medieval settlement included an inner city-citadel on a high rocky plateau and an outer city located at the foot.

Cherven was one of the largest military-administrative, economic and church-cultural centers of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (XII-XIV centuries) and an important road stop on the roads from the Danube to the interior of the country, and from 1235 became the seat of The Red Metropolitanate. Several rock monasteries were founded in its vicinity. In 1388 it was captured and destroyed by the Ottoman Turks. In the initial period of Ottoman rule, it retained its administrative functions, but gradually declined. In the seventeenth century he experienced a new period of economic recovery.

Archaeological excavations in the area have uncovered a castle, fortress walls, two underground water supply passages, 13 churches, public and administrative buildings, many homes and other interesting and significant finds - several coin treasures, jewelry, monuments, pottery, household items, handicraft tools. , armament, etc.

Visiting the site can be done only by car or on foot. The walk through the medieval ruins can be combined with sightseeing of the natural landmarks in the nature park, to many of which there are eco routes.