Lovech Fortress

Bulgarian landmarks. But

it was here that a most important historical event once took place, which ultimately led to the emergence of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

Historical background

In 1185, an uprising broke out on the territory of Bulgaria, which had been seized by the Byzantines. In 1187 the Byzantines laid siege for so long to

the fortress in Lovech that in the end they were forced to sign a peace treaty with the Bulgarian rebels and to recognise the existence of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

The fortress itself was built long before those events – presumably in the 9th–10th centuries. Erected on two protected stone terraces on a hill, the fortress was used above all for military purposes. It was mainly military men who lived here. Later the fortress was turned into a whole town, an administrative and trading centre, and at the beginning of the 14th century it was the residence of Ivan Alexander, who was elected to the throne in 1331.

The Ottoman troops tried for a long time to conquer Lovech Fortress, and in time they eventually succeeded. The Ottomans gave the hill on which the fortress stands the name “Hisarya” — it has survived to this day. Sometimes the fortress is also called “Hisarya Fortress”.

The fortress today

Lovech Fortress is part of the “Varosha” Architectural and Historical Reserve in the southern part of Lovech. Today a considerable part of the fortress has been restored; it resembles a crown that can be seen from afar. All visitors to the town gladly come to this landmark, and many travel here especially for it. Since 2005 the fortress, together with the monument to Vasil Levski that stands nearby, has been fitted with striking night-time illumination, like the Tsarevets fortress in Veliko Tarnovo.

The fortress is open to visitors. It offers a stunning view of Lovech and the surrounding area.

Useful information

In summer the fortress is open to visitors from 9 in the morning until 8 in the evening without a break; in winter – from 9 to 17, with a break from 12 to 1 pm.

Admission costs 4 leva for adults, 2 leva for students and pensioners, and a family ticket costs 6 leva.

On request, audiovisual performances are staged for visitors: “Lovech – the Town of Stars”; “Lovech Fortress Tells Its Story” and “We Honour Our History”. Such performances are also held on public holidays.

Tourists are served by guides from the regional historical museum. Tours are conducted in Bulgarian only.

There is a car park next to the entrance to the fortress.

Veliki Preslav — the second capital of Bulgaria

The Historical Museum in Kardzhali

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