Three kilometres east of Svishtov lies Novae, an archaeological reserve containing the remains of a Roman legionary fortress and a later city. The site includes the headquarters, or Principia, a military hospital and a legionary bath; it also hosts the “Eagle of the Danube” festival celebrating the ancient heritage. Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Svishtov can continue their accommodation search afterwards.
Nature
The Persina Nature Park is located near Svishtov. It protects wetlands and islands along the Danube, is part of Natura 2000 and is an important bird habitat with more than 200 recorded bird species. The Danube islands of Vardim and Persina are also described as habitats for rare plants and protected wildlife.
The area surrounding Svishtov is home to Mânăstirea Năsturelu, Insula Cinghile, Ostrov Vardim, Ostrov Malak Vardim and Ostrov Belene.
Culture
The Church of Saint Demetrius is Svishtov’s oldest fully preserved architectural monument. It dates from the late 15th or early 16th century and stands within the former medieval fortress area.
The Nikolay Pavlovich Art Gallery houses more than 5,000 works by hundreds of artists. It organises exhibitions, readings, concerts, competitions and creative workshops for children.
Near Svishtov are the churches Biserica Ortodoxă Sfinţii Împăraţi Constantin şi Elena and Biserica Ortodoxă Sfinţii Apostoli Petru şi Pavel; the Baptist church Biserica Baptistă Zimnicea is also located there.
History
The Kaleto fortress complex preserves stone walls from the Byzantine-Bulgarian construction period of the 12th to 14th centuries. It is situated on a steep hill above the river, north of the centre of Svishtov.
The Aleko Konstantinov House Museum is one of Bulgaria’s 100 national tourist sites. Its interior recreates the living conditions of a wealthy 19th-century merchant’s house; the museum also displays photographs, books, letters and personal belongings of the writer.
Svishtov is associated with the founding of Bulgaria’s first Chitalishte in 1856; the later building is described as an architectural landmark.
The Saborna Church is described as an example of late Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Its construction was entrusted to the master builder Nikola Fichev (Kolyu Ficheto), while the iconostasis was created by Anton Peshov; the building is recognised as a cultural monument of national importance.
