Lovech, found in the central part of Bulgaria, is one of the country's 28 self-governing units. The province lies surrounded by Pleven to the north, Gabrovo and Veliko Turnovo to the east, Plovdiv to the south, and Sofia and Vratsa to the west. It covers 4,129 square kilometers, which represents circa 3.7% of Bulgaria's total territory.[5] Lovech is also the name of the province's capital, which can be found in the northeastern part of the territory. Archeological evidence suggests that the territory of Lovech has been inhabited since ancient times.[1] Thus, a considerable number of historical landmarks can be spotted in the town to this day. One such monument is the Lovech Fortress, located atop Hisarya Hill.[4] In terms of geography, Lovech Province's landscapes are predominantly hilly and mountainous.[5] The southern part of the territory is represented by the Central Balkan National Park, housing and protecting a variety of flora and fauna. The national park serves as a tourist destination and is often visited by those who enjoy hiking.[8] Another natural sight in the Lovech area is the Devetashka Cave, found in the northeastern part of the province.[10]
In Lovech's Old Town, one can find the Vasil Levski Ethnographic Complex and Residence Museum, which showcases the city's role in Bulgaria's quest for independence from the Ottoman Empire. The cobblestone streets of the Varosha Quarter date back to the 19th century, with a monument to Vasil Levski located near the Hisarya Fortress. The city is also known for its Covered Bridge, constructed by professional constructor Kolyu Ficheto in the 1870s, which spans the Osam River and hosts souvenir shops. Moreover, the Sveta Nedelya Church in Varosha is another cultural landmark, exhibiting an art gallery of frescoes that date back to 1873. Along the Osam River lies the Bash Bunar Park, featuring caves with archaeological treasures, while Stratesh Hill offers a park, a zoo, and historical monuments.[9] However, one of the predominant attractions in the province's capital is the Lovech Fortress, located on Hisarya Hill in Lovech's old town. The fortress stands as a historical landmark and an architectural monument with a history dating back to ancient times. Archaeological excavations revealed seven churches in varying architectural styles, with the oldest and largest dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries. A considerable number of artifacts, including adornments, tools, and pottery, were also discovered, along with two sets of silver coins featuring Tsar Ivan Alexander and his son Michael.[4]
People preferring outdoor recreation can venture to the Central Balkan National Park, situated near the heart of the country. The national park reportedly encompasses some of the most remote areas of the Balkan Mountains.
Within the park's boundaries, people can encounter ancient beech forests with diverse and endemic flora and fauna. Alpine meadows, rugged mountain slopes, waterfalls, and steep gorges contribute to the park's topography. For instance, in the Central Balkan National Park Bulgaria's highest waterfall can be found, the Raiskoto Praskalo—a notable destination for hikers. At the waterfall's base lies the Ray Chalet, providing a resting place for visitors. Another spot for hiking is Kozya Stena Peak, which is part of the Balkan Mountains, effectively dividing Bulgaria in two.
Throughout the park, tourists can discover over two dozen chalets positioned in some of the park's most visited locations. These chalets are connected by a network of hiking trails, offering an opportunity to explore the park's natural sites while traversing its mountain ridges.[8]
Another natural destination is Devetashka Cave, situated near the village of Devetaki. For tens of thousands of years, the cave served as a shelter for a number of faunal species. Devetashka Cave is home to nearly 30,000 bats today. Located about 7 kilometers east of Letnitsa and 15 kilometers northeast of Lovech, the cave is accessible via a path from Devetaki or a dirt road and concrete bridge from Road 301. It is now part of a public park that features a waterfall.
The cave is a karst formation that stretches two kilometers from Devetaki, with several speleothems, stalagmites, stalactites, underground rivers, and natural domes. It is 35 meters wide and 30 meters high at the entrance, expanding into a hall with an area of 2,400 square meters and a height reaching 100 meters. Devetashka Cave has an archaeological history dating back to the Middle Paleolithic era, around 70,000 years ago, and also contains Neolithic artifacts. Moreover, the site is a haven for wildlife, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, with various species protected or listed in the Red List. The cave is closed to visitors during the breeding season from early June to late July.[10]
Undulating and mountainous landscapes mainly characterize the terrain of Lovech Province. Local water resources comprise relatively small rivers. However, the area has a considerable number of natural springs, with one particularly known being the Glava Panega. These rivers and springs supply water to the nearby Pleven region. While the soil is not fertile in particular and is primarily suitable for fruit cultivation, the river valleys in the northern plains have more fertile soil, supporting crop production. Lovech and its vicinity are generally forested, with trees covering 44% of the land in 2000. The presence of natural resources such as limestone and clay has driven the production of bricks, tiles, and pottery. Despite Lovech being the primary hub for transportation and industry, it remains one of Bulgaria's smaller regional centers.[5] Concerning Lovech's local climate conditions, in May, June, and September, the weather is moderate, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C. However, January is the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 3°C.[7]
The Central Balkan National Park covers the southern part of the Lovech Province.
Located in the heart of Bulgaria, the Central Balkan National Park includes the central and highest sections of the Stara Planina Mountain (The Balkan Mountain Range). Stretching approximately 85 kilometers in an east-west direction, it covers a 10-kilometer-wide area and ranges in altitude from 550 meters up to the highest peak of the Stara Planina mountains, Botev Peak, which stands at 2,376 meters above sea level.
The park comprises forests, mountain pastures, and meadows. Central Balkan National Park has been ranked among the areas of the "Outstanding Universal Value," as, according to UNESCO, it is one of Europe's most significant and extensive protected areas. The park safeguards untouched habitats inhabited by rare and endangered wildlife species and self-regulating ecosystems of considerable biological diversity. In the park, primeval beech forests (Fagus sylvatica) can be found, which are natural landmarks of the region, forming a component of the European beech forests complex. The park also encompasses a portion of the largest, continuous, and minimally impacted old-growth beech forest massifs in Europe. Additionally, over 130 species of plants and animals found within the park are listed in the Bulgarian and World Red Data Books.[6]
Lovech is one of Bulgaria's oldest towns, with archaeological evidence of human activity dating back to ancient times, particularly in the caves near the town. Its location between mountains and flat terrain, along with the presence of a river, drew settlers to the area.
The initial inhabitants of Lovech were the Meldi, a Thracian tribe, who established their capital, Melta, in the region during the third and fourth centuries BC. This historical area is now known as the Varosha neighborhood and is an architectural reserve. Later, during the Roman Empire's rule over the Balkans, a military station named Prezidium was established near modern-day Lovech. This station held a strategic position along one of the main Roman roads, and remnants of this road can still be found in Lovech's territory today.[1]
In 1187, the town hosted the treaty signing that marked Bulgaria's return to the European map, launching the Second Bulgarian Empire. Lovech developed as a 12th-century trading hub. Ivan Alexander was appointed its governor by 1330 supposedly due to the city's control over commercial passage through Stara Planina passes. Later, Ottoman rule brought privileges initially, but in the 17th century, Lovech became a trade center, earning the moniker "Altın Lofça" (Golden Lovech) in Turkish.
During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, Lovech was the site of the Battle of Lovcha. This war, partnered with plagues and migrations in Wallachia, led to a population decline and losses among Bulgarians. Turkish families were expelled by the Russian army, while Lovech's Muslim population, known as "Lofçalılar," emigrated to parts of Turkey.[2]
Presently, Lovech is a developing industrial town known for its production of bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, agricultural machinery, and leather goods. The nearby village of Kakrina was where the national revolutionary Vasil Levski was arrested, and his life is commemorated at the Vasil Levski House Museum.
Historical attractions in Lovech include a reconstructed covered bridge, reminiscent of an older wooden structure destroyed by fire, Stratesh Hill, and the Devetashka Cave. The cave, once a prehistoric dwelling and now a park, features stalagmites, stalactites, an underground river, and a waterfall.[3]
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