Pleven

Pleven is a regional capital in the northern Bulgarian Danube Plain, sitting on gentle limestone hills. Streets run between low residential blocks and green spaces, while the center forms an urban core with shops and administrative buildings.

The region was part of the Thracian kingdom from the 4th century BCE before falling under Roman rule. In the late 19th century, the town became known through a prolonged siege during the Russo-Turkish War, which contributed to Bulgaria's liberation.

The city takes its name from the Thracian settlement of Storgosia, whose Roman remains still rest beneath modern streets. Locals gather in the town center, where wide pedestrian zones lined with cafés and small shops shape daily routines.

The town is accessible via regular train connections from Sofia or Bucharest, as well as bus routes from other Bulgarian cities. The center is easy to explore on foot, while taxis and local buses provide links to outlying neighborhoods.

A large circular building on the town's edge houses a painted depiction of the 1877 battles, which visitors enter through a dark passage. The painting surrounds viewers in a circle, creating the impression of standing in the middle of events.