Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Pleven

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Did you know that this church is a monument of the Bulgarian Revival of national significance? It is found in the centre of the city, close to the theatre on Saint Nicholas Square and the Museum House of Tsar Liberator. The church was built in 1834 in accordance with a Turkish decree, and soon became a centre of the struggle for church and national independence. The building, a three-nave basilica, is half buried. The iconostasis and the bishop’s throne were created by craftsmen from the Tryavna School. The western and the southern outer walls are covered in murals. The icons, painted by Dimitar Zograf of Samokov, are part of the largest collection of 68 icons of the Samokov Iconographic School, housed in the church. A total of 462 clay pots were built in the walls, vaults and archways to improve acoustics. Today the church is a metropolitan cathedral, beautifully and stylishly renovated for laymen and tourists.

Routes

Accommodation and food

Sightseeing

Map

Day 1
Day 1 – Craiova – Strehaia – Maglavit - Vidin

Visit to the Madona Dudu Church, St. Demetrius Cathedral, Mantuleasa Church and the Church of the Holy Trinity, Craiova (optional)

Departure to Strehaia and visit to the Strehaia Monastery

Departure to the Maglavit and visit to the Maglavit Monastery

Departure to Vidin, Bulgaria

Dinner and overnight accommodation in Vidin

Day 2
Day 2 – Vidin - Montana – Vratsa - Pleven

Visit to the Cathedral of Saint Demetrius, Church of Saint Paraskevi and Church of St. Pantaleon in Vidin

Free time in Vidin: a tour of the Baba Tonka Fortress, visit to the Historical Museum and the Krastata Kazarma (optional)

Visit to the Strupets Monastery of St. Elijah the Prophet, Vratsa

Lunch in the Monastery area

Departure to Pleven

Dinner and overnight accommodation in Pleven

Day 3
Day 3 – Pleven – Veliko Tarnovo

Visit to the Metropolitan Church of St. Nicholas, Church of St. Paraskevi and the church of Holy Trinity, Pleven

Visit to the Chapel Mausoleum of Saint George the Conqueror, Pleven

Lunch in Pleven

Walk to the Skobelev Park and Ossuary Memorial or visit to the Kaylaka Park and the Wine Museum

Departure to Veliko Tarnovo

Dinner and overnight accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo

Day 4
Day 4 – Veliko Tarnovo Visit to the Tsarevets Fortress and Trapezithsa Hill, Veliko Tarnovo

Visit to the the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos , the Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs and the Church of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Veliko Tarnovo

Lunch in Veliko Tarnovo

Free time: visit to the Samovodska Charshia and old part of the Veliko Tarnovo

“Light and sound” show – Tsarevets Fortress

Dinner and overnight accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo

Day 5
Day 5 – Arbanasi – Veliko Tarnovo

Visit to the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos and the Monastery St. Nicholas of Myra, Arbanasi

Visit to the Church of the Nativity of Christ, Arbanasi

Lunch in Arbanasi

Visit to the Church “St. Athanasius”, Arbanasi

Overnight accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo

Day 6
Day 6 - Ivanovo - Ruse

Departure to Ivanovo

Visit to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo and Medieval Fortress of Cherven

Departure to Ruse and lunch on the Danube river

Visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and the Church of St. George in Ruse

Dinner and overnight accommodation in Ruse

Day 7
Day 7 – Ruse - Балш - Кълуй - Craiova

Visit to the Regional Historical Museum and the ancient Roman fortress of Sexaginta Prista (optional)

Departure to Balsh and visit to the Măineşt Monastery

Departure to Calui and visit to the Calui Monastery

Departure to Craiova

Dinner and overnight accommodation in Craiova

Park-hotel Grivitsa
GPS coordinates: 43.413718 / 43°24’49” N – 24.691277 / 24°41’28” E
Address: the entrance of Grivitsa, around Pleven

Hotel Rostov
GPS coordinates: 43.410761 / 43°24’38” N – 24.617896 / 24°37’4” E
Address: 2 Tsar Boris III Str., in the city centre of Pleven

Reataurant Top Table
GPS coordinates: 43.410624 / 43°24’38” N – 24.618064 / 24°37’5” E
Address: 2 Tsar Boris III Str., in the city centre of Pleven

Park – hotel Kaylaka
GPS coordinates: 43.376943 / 43°22’37” N – 24.621946 / 24°37’19” E
Address: in the natural park “Kaylaka“, in the end of Pleven

Hotel „Vila Kaylaka“
GPS coordinates: 43.357886 / 43°21’28” N – 24.635253 / 24°38’7” E
Address: in the natural park “Kaylaka“, in the end of Pleven

Pleven Panorama Museum
GPS coordinates: 43.398876 / 43°23’56” N – 24.607181 / 24°3’25” E
Address: Park Skobelev, town of Pleven, Pleven District
This unique museum in Pleven was constructed in honor of the 100th anniversary of Pleven Epopee that depicts the events of the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-78. It was officially opened in 1977 and was built in Skobelev Park, which is the site of the four major battles that led to the liberation of Bulgaria. It is one of the dozens of monuments built by the people of Pleven in tribune to the battle and to the nearly 35 000 lives lost during the Russian-Turkish War. It is composed of four rooms: introductory, panoramic, diorame and finale. The six canvases of the introductory room discover the tragic destiny of the people, their dramatic fight and their compassion to the fellow Russian soldiers.
Source: wikipedia.com

Skobelev Park
GPS coordinates: 43.398876 / 43°23’56” N – 24.607181 / 24°3’25” E
Address: Skobelev Park, town of Pleven, Pleven District
We could name this park in Pleven an outdoor museum. It is located at the site of the major battles of the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-78, where the troops led by General Skobelev fought in the most difficult battle during the third attack of Pleven in September 1877. Thousands of Russian and Romanian soldiers were killed and injured here. There remains are stored in nine common graves and an ossuary. The Pleven Epopee is also located here.
Source: wikipedia.com

Natural park “Kaylaka”
GPS coordinates: 43.391960 / 43°23’31” N – 24.622266 / 24°37’20” E
Address: the entrance is at the end of San Stefano Str., at the end of Pleven
If you are visiting Pleven and would like to relax away from the busy daily life of the town, you should visit the Kaylaka Park, which is a protected natural area. It is located to the south of the city center. The park is inhabited by many animal species and protected plants that are included in the Red Book. The rocks of the park preserve fossils of ancient aquatic organisms. The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, even for those who prefer extreme sports, because there are cliffs suitable for rock climbing. In addition, there are plenty of artificial lakes, boats, water wheels, swimming pools, hotels, cafes, restaurants, playgrounds, tennis courts, zoo and summer theater.


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Trip Facts

  • 43.412827 / 43°24’46” N – 24.616626 / 24°36’60” E
  • "Stambolov" Square, Pleven
  • road E83, then D35, then Ruse Blvd., followed by "Dimitar Konstantinov" Str., Pleven
  • 00359 64 837 208
  • Not required
  • 112

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