Kaylaka Park lies six kilometres south of Pleven in the karst valley of the Tuchenitsa River. As a protected area, it is home to characteristic plant species, as well as birds and mammals listed in Bulgaria’s Red Data Book. Nature and leisure activities come together here: the park is not only a scenic destination, but also offers a range of opportunities for exercise and relaxation.
Nature and Activities in Kaylaka Park
The park’s facilities include walking trails, a lake with boats and pedal boats, tennis courts, children’s playgrounds, swimming pools and reservoirs. The park’s profile also includes cliffs more than 20 metres high, which are used for climbing. A range of activities is available, from walking to climbing and boating. You can decide which ones to focus on during your visit based on your own interests. As individual leisure facilities may change, it is best to check their current status before visiting.
The Wine Museum and the History of Wine
The Wine Museum in Pleven is located in Kaylaka Park, opposite the Totlebenov Val dam. Its historic hall presents winemaking objects from the time of the ancient Thracians, Greeks and Romans through to the present day. The exhibition thus connects the long history of winemaking with a specific place in the park. The museum also offers wine tastings led by an expert as a short sommelier course. If you would like to include this in your plans, check the current conditions for tastings in advance.
Museums and Memorial Sites in Pleven
The Pleven Epopee 1877 Panorama is located in Skobelev Park, on the battlefield of the fiercest fighting during the Third Assault on Pleven. Its four halls are called Introduction, Panorama, Diorama and Conclusion. The exhibition also includes military busts, 19th-century lithographs, works of art, weapons and uniforms. The different halls and exhibits offer several thematic points of interest for visitors. The panorama can be reached by road and public transport; parking is available. Check current traffic information before travelling.
Skobelev Park in Pleven was established in 1904 as a memorial to the Russian soldiers who fell in the battles on 30 August 1877. The Skobelev Park Museum also contains an ossuary holding the remains of soldiers from General Skobelev’s unit who died during the Third Assault on Pleven. The park and museum thus commemorate different aspects of the fighting: the park’s memorial function and the mortal remains preserved in the ossuary.
The Tsar Liberator Alexander II House Museum depicts episodes from the Russo-Turkish War and the Siege of Pleven. The Regional Historical Museum has an open-air exhibition in a 37-decare park. Together with the panorama, these museums offer different ways to explore the city’s history: from accounts of the assault and siege to selected episodes from the war and an open-air exhibition. This means you can choose between a focused visit to the memorial sites and a broader museum visit during your stay.
For the broader travel overview: Pleven Province.
