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Northwestern Bulgaria >> Oriahovo
It is 190 km north-east of Sofia, 29 km and 71 km east of Kozlodoui and Lom, respectively, 74 km north of Vratsa, 14 km north-east of Miziya and 95 km west of Nikopol. It is one of the most picturesque Danube towns.
History. At the highest point on the Bulgarian shore of the Danube (226 m) existed as a settlement as far back as the Bronze Age. The Thracians have also left significant traces here. The ruins tell us about the town of Valeria and the Variana Fortress from the Roman time when the old Roman road to Constantinople passed through these lands. In the Middle Ages, in 9th-10th century, a Bulgarian town with a fortress emerged, which was a border post to stop the advance of the Avars, Franks and Magyars. For first time, the name of the town was mentioned in 1226 when the Magyar army passed through the Bulgarian settlement Orechov. It was many times destroyed to the grounds and rebuilt. In 1388, the settlement was conquered by the Turks, and in 1396 it suffered because of the battles between the Turks and the crusaders of the Hungarian Knyaz Sigizmund of Luxembourg during the advance of the Christian army in the direction of Nikopol. In 1444, the Polish-Hungarian Knyaz Vladisslav Yagelo (Varnenchik) succeeded in liberating it for a short time. Later, when the first Turnovo Uprising took place (1598) the Wallachian voivoda Michai Vityazul with his army fought here. In the Middle Ages the town was also called Vrhov, Orezov, Oreev, and in a Hungarian document it is reported as Oreshik. From the beginning of 18th century until 1888, its name was Rahovo, then Orehovo and finally today's Oryahovo. With the development of shipping along the Danube River in the end of 18th and 19th century, Oryahovo became rich. Despite the large number of Turks in the town, it kept alive the Bulgarian spirit. The Bulgarian population took an active part in the struggle for church and national independence. In 1857 a class school was opened, later a girls' school and a community centre. The local revolutionary committee founded in 1872 served the secret channel between Oryahovo and Becket for transporting weapons and revolutionary activists. Vassil Levski visited the town twice. In the winter of 1876, Oryahovo gave shelter to the apostles Panaiot Volov and Georgi Benkovski on their way to Panagyurishte revolutionary district. Stoian Zaimov, Ivanitsa Danchev, Nikola Obretenov, Nikola Slavkov had stayed in the town, as well. The people from Oryahovo took part in the struggle of Bulgarian volunteers during the Russian-Turkish War (1877-1878). The town was liberated on 20 November 1877 after three days of heavy fighting.
Landmarks. The Town Museum of History in the centre (Levski Street). The park of Bulgarian-Romanian Friendship is located in the eastern part of the town, above the Danube River. It was founded in 1959-1960 and there is the famous Statue of Liberty made by the sculptor Arnoldo Tsoki in 1882 in memoriam of the Romanian soldiers who died for the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. The Loven Dom Park is the highest point in the centre of Oryahovo, from where there is an open view to the Danube shore and the opposite Romanian settlement Becket. Diko Iliev House-Museum (9th November Street; in the eastern part of the town), displays the environment in which one of the greatest musicians, conductors and composers, lived (1895-1985). He composed lots of popular Bulgarian hora ("horo" - folk dance) and marches for a brass orchestra. Emblematic are the Dounavsko Horo, Severnyashko Horo, Pravo Horo, etc. In the St. Georgi Church, dating back to 1837 church plate from 17th century and old print church books brought from Russia are preserved. It is situated in the centre near the bus station.
Accommodation. Asparouh Hotel (9, Asparouh Street) with 4 double rooms. Dounav Hotel (6, Alleya na Mira Street). Seikov Hotel (34, Ivan Vazov Street). Sladki Mechti Hotel-Tavern. Kamuka Hotel.
Tourist information. At the hotels and at the Tourist Association.
Transport. Bus and railway transport. There are regular bus lines to Vratsa, Pleven, Kozlodoui, Knezha, Byala Slatina and other smaller settlements in the region. The bus station (tel.: 09171 2307, 3147) is located in the centre of the town, next to St. Georgi Church. Oryahovo is the last station of the railroad line Cherven Bryag-Oryahovo, through which it is connected with the railway system of the country. The railway station (3, Dragomanska Street) is in the northern end of the town, on the shore of the Danube. Through the port (near the railway station tel.: 09171 3168) the town is connected with other Bulgarian ports on the Danube River.
Surrounding areas. The remains of Kamuka Fortress are around 1.5 km west of Oryahovo (the local people call it Kaleto). The fortress, built in 12th century is a part of the defence system along the north border of the Bulgarian State. It had an irregular form and small size. It was forever demolished in 16th century. The 9-metre corner guard turret that was a 2-storied one is comparatively well preserved. The building is typical Old Bulgarian style and is a very stable -crushed stones, white mortar and timber beam levelling the brickwork. The name Kamuka comes from its solidity ("kamuk" -stone). An asphalt road leads here. It would take 30 minutes walk from the centre of the town. 5 km east of the town (along the road to Nikopol) there is the Esperanto Island covered with thick foliage. On the shore opposite, it is the resort zone of the town - a place for rest with a beach, park and a restaurant. The area is called Esperanto because here in 1937 the Esperanto World Congress took place. There is a regular bus transport from the town. 22 km southeast is the village of Ostrov (on the bank of the Danube). South of the village starts the Ostrovski Val (dyke) from the period of the Asparouch State. It presents a deep terraced defence system spreading to the west. Its length is 64 km and it ends between the villages Gabare and Tlachene. The Danube River in the area of Oryahovo offers wonderful opportunities for rest, sun bathing, sports, water tourism, fishing and many other activities. The river here is especially beautiful because of the high and steep Bulgarian shore.
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