Russe - the Little Vienna

According to many, Russe is the most European city in Bulgaria and it is often called "The little Vienna". I was in Russe at the end of September, but I was so busy with all kinds of other stuff, that I kept postponing my post about the unique architecture of Russe. After visiting and posting about the actual Vienna, it seemed only appropriate to finally publish my thoughts and photos about its more modest Bulgarian counterpart - Russe.

Like the capital of Austria, Russe is situated on the river Danube. It became an important economic and cultural center at the end of the ottoman rule of Bulgaria, when the town was declared the vilayet center of one of the largest provinces of the Ottoman empire - the Danube vilayet. Due to its favourable geographic location Russe was a pioneer city in the empire.

It soon became the seat of the diplomatic missions of many European countries and thus the city quickly established plentiful economic and cultural international connections and opened for the penetration of European culture.

The diplomatic missions remained in Russe long after the liberation of the country, when Russe was one of the largest cities in the newly independent Bulgaria. Its residents began to travel by steamboats to Vienna and other European cities and to send their children to study there. Russe became a cosmopolitan city, trade flourished and wealth was accumulated. Modern shops for clothes, furniture, musical instruments opened their doors.

During this period a lot of renowned architects and civil engineers arrived in Russe and left their mark on the architecture of the city. Hundreds of residential and public buildings were built in the neoclassical style, that was dominant in Europe at the time, combining elements of Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, etc. The most impressive of these is the Profit Building, a work by a Viennese architect, completed in 1902, with a magnificent facade and seven figures on its roof, symbols of art, science, trade, agriculture, crafts, defense and the free flight of the spirit.

Another architectural landmark of Russe - the bank of Simeonov brothers, built in 1895.

The History Museum is the oldest of the neoclassical buildings in Russe and the first administrative building in Bulgaria after the Liberation. It was completed in 1882 by design of another Viennese architect.

Although it was the end of September, the sun was very strong on the first day of my visit and the temperatures soared to 35-36C. On the next days the temperatures plummeted, unfortunately, and the days were cold, cloudy and rainy.

The Monument of Freedom, the work of the renowned Italian sculptor Arnoldo Dzoki, is the symbol of Russe and part of its coat of arms.

With its grand and beautiful river, green gardens and parks and unique buildings, Russe is truly a jewel of a city.

Russe 2022

We've made it almost a tradition every year around this time - mid-June - mid-July to travel to the Northern part of the country and visit my extended family. Our first stop this year was Russe, the town I was born. 

Russe is a very old and beautiful town, known for its neo-baroque architecture. I always miss its beautiful houses and the magnificent Danube river. However, I do not miss its hot climate. I've been living at the foot of Vitosha for many decades now and every time I visit my family I find it hard to believe that I was used to this kind of heat and it didn't bother me then :)

:In the park, which hosts my old high school

:Along the main street

:The central square

:The beautiful Danube river, yes, the same one that runs through Vienna, where our daughter is now

Russe 2020

Husband and I are travelling around the country, visiting my extended family. I hadn't been to Russe, a town I love so much, in almost 10 years. Unfortunately, despite the grand river Danube, the town has been hit by a a severe drought and a heat wave during the past month and it was not in its prime, when we went around yesterday. And some of the reconstructions made during the past decade, like the new quay, do not benefet the overall outlook of the city, IMHO. And I had missed my beloved Danube so much ...
A few photos from our short walk under the unbearable heat late in the afternoon:

: Because of its beautiful neo-baroque architecture, Russe is known as "the little Vienna"

: The new quay - lots of concrete, little greenery :(

Rousse

Rousse is the biggest Bulgarian town on the Danube River, often called the Little Vienna because of the Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture of its main streets. Last week my daughter took part in the final National Round of the Students' Olympiad in Biology, which was held in Rousse. This is the highest (third) level of the Olympiad and I'm so proud of my little biologist, she ranked fourth among seventh graders from all over the country. The hosts of the Olympiad had prepared a great program for the participants, including guided tours through the city and its historical museum, presentations on bird protection and a workshop, where the children made 3D birds and other interesting stuff. We had a great time in Rousse!