Explore Lovech from different perspectives: the link between the newer part of the city and Varosha via the Covered Bridge, the historic fortress on Hisarlaka Hill, and the city’s history in its houses and exhibitions. You can tailor your stay to your interests in architecture, everyday culture or green spaces.
Covered Bridge and Varosha
The Covered Bridge connects the newer part of Lovech with the Varosha architectural and historical reserve. It is unique of its kind on the Balkan Peninsula and serves as a covered shopping street. The bridge is also home to the Tourist Information Centre, which provides tourist information about Lovech and the surrounding region. The structure thus connects parts of the city while also serving its own commercial and information functions.
Varosha comprises the old town on the eastern bank of the Osam and developed during the Bulgarian National Revival. As you walk through the quarter, narrow lanes, picturesque bends, passageways and shady corners shape the scene. Unlike the single crossing of the bridge, the focus here is on the fabric of a historic quarter. The bridge and Varosha thus offer two different perspectives on Lovech’s architectural and urban history.
Fortress and city history
The Lovech Fortress stands on Hisarlaka Hill on the right bank of the Osam. It was part of a defensive system that protected the approaches to Tarnovo and Troyan Pass. Its location and historical function give the fortress a different focus from the city bridge: here, the emphasis is on defending the approaches. Audiovisual performances are available at the fortress on request; the performances must therefore be requested.
Deli Hamam tells another story of historical use: the 16th-century bathhouse has been transformed into a virtual water attraction with multimedia effects and programmes. The presentation links the former bathhouse with a media-based exploration of water. Its theme differs from the architecture of the bridge and the fortress’s history of defence.
The “Drasova and Rashova” Ethnographic Complex consists of two houses in Lovech. The Drasova House presents the life and household of a wealthy merchant from Lovech through original objects used by local families. The exhibition also includes vessels used for making and ageing wine from the Lovech wine-growing region. The house thus leads from the history of one household to objects associated with wine-growing and local family life.
Green spaces and trails
Stratesh Park is directly connected to Varosha; from there, the route continues to the Vasil Levski Monument and the Lovech Fortress. For finding your way around the city, this is a different connection from the bridge between the newer part of town and the historic quarter. The park also offers a panoramic view in all directions. Its named features include a lake, a rose garden and an alpine garden—different aspects that draw the view beyond the buildings to the park landscape.
Devetashka Cave is also in the vicinity of Lovech and is designated a natural monument. Access from the Lovech–Devetaki road includes an approximately 3 km-long eco-trail. This approximate trail length is a useful planning detail; trail and access conditions may change, so check them before your visit. The cave can thus be considered a natural attraction in its own right, alongside the city’s cultural and historical sites.
Discover more destinations: Hlevene, Brestovo.
See the main travel overview: Lovech.
