Town of Svishtov

The town of Svishtov (30,591 inhabitants, about 100 m above sea level) is situated at a high terrace on the right bank of the Danube River, in the place where the river reaches its most southern point. It is situated at the distance of 250 km north-east from Sofia, 51 km south-east from Nikopol, 97 km south-west from Ruse, 76 km north-east from Pleven, 45 km north-west from Byala, 47 km north-east from Levski and 31 km east from Belene.

History: The town is a successor of the Roman (and later on of the Early Byzantine) town of Nove (1st century) - an important strategic centre with naval functions. During the middle ages it was called Stuklen, and in the map of Fra Mauro of 1459 it was marked under the name of Sistovo, which is the transcription of today’s name of the town. Svishtov comes from “svesht” (candle). During the first centuries of the Ottoman Rule there were several huts here, which lit up with fires along the river banks the way of boats and sailing-vessels during the night-time. Gradually the future town of Svishtov was formed around them.

The town reached an enviable development during the 19th century in spite of its complete destruction during the Russian-Turkish War of 1810. In 1865 Dr. Ivan Bogorov described Svishtov as “the most commercial place” of our towns. In 1869 there were 957 stores and 720 warehouses there. The first high school of commerce in Bulgaria was established in Svishtov (1873). The well-known traveller of 19th century Felix Kanits wrote: “Svishtov has been enjoying the reputation of an European town with an European market for a long time.” Within the time period from 1850 to 1860 in the port of Svishtov there were about 150 vessels sailing along the Danube with water displacement of 120 000 tons, a part of which belonged to Svishtov merchants. In 1867 the Danube Steam Society was established with the merchant from Svishtov Nikola Stanchov as the chief shareholder. The Society purchased the Austrian-Hungarian ship “Commencement” and three tank barges for transportation of cereals. The tangible welfare of the town was reflected in its cultural life as well. In 1841 Hristaki Pavlovich established a new Bulgarian school and a secular school for girls. One of the first in Bulgaria chitalishta (reading-clubs) with a museum with it was set up here in 1856. In 1884 the first in Bulgaria Commercial High School opened its gates (today’s High School of Economy). The outstanding Revival public figures Nikolai Pavlovich, Emanuil Vaskidovich, Hristaki Pavlovich and a lot of other eminent functionaries worked here as well. Schools, churches, beautiful houses were built in those years.

On 26th and 27th June the key forces of the Russian Army disembarked on the bank of the Danube River in the locality of Tekirdere (at the distance of 4 km east of Svishtov) and the Russian-Turkish War of Liberation began. Although the Turks did not anticipate the crossing of the Danube River by the main Russian units to take place namely here, they put up ferocious resistance and it was in the first battle for Bulgarian freedom that 814 Russian soldiers and officers found their death.

The town lost its initial first-grade significance after the Liberation, but it remained an important economic, cultural centre and grew as a tourist centre as well. Since 1936 Svishtov has been an academic town, too in relation to the opening of the Higher Institute of Finance and Economics “Dimitur Tsenov” (in the name of an outstanding Bulgarian patron).

Svishtov is the birthplace of Dragan Tsankov, Grigor Nachevich, Nikolai Pavlovich, Dimitur Tsenov, Alexander Bozhinov, Tsvetan Radoslavov (author of the song, on the basis of which “Mila Rodino” (“Dear Motherland”) - Bulgarian national anthem was composed) and of the great Bulgarian writer - humorist, democrat and creator of the organized hiking movement in our country - Aleko Konstantinov.

Landmarks: In Svishtov there are more than 120 archaeological, art and architectural monuments of culture of local and national significance. The Town Museum of History (tel.: 0631 22888), considered one of the museums in Bulgaria (1856).

The Ethnographic Museum (tel.: 0631 22448). The Aleko Konstantinov House-Museum (not far from the centre, tel.: 0631 25452), in which the heart of the great Bulgarian is preserved in a glass vessel.

The Holy Trinity Church (1867, in the centre of the town, tel.: 0631 25492) is the most interesting architectural monument. It was the work of the great Bulgarian builder of the Revival period usta Kolyo Fitcheto (“usta” – master). The citizen of Svishtov Nikolay Pavlovich painted the icons. The temple suffered a lot during the earthquake in 1977 but in 1992 its restoration was completed. The ancient St Dimitur Church (1640) and St Peter and Pavel Church (1644). Bulgarian masters erected the clock tower (1760, in the centre of the town). The School of Hristaki Pavlovich (1815). The House of Peace, in which in 1791 an Austrian-Turkish Separation Peace Treaty was signed. The old Revival houses – Sladkarov’s, Danailov’s, Hrulev’s, Bruchkov’s, Cherkezov’s, Radoslavov’s, the house of the Subevi Brothers, etc.

Accommodation: The Academia Hotel (1, Tsanko Tserkovski Street). The Dunav Hotel (2, Tsar Osvoboditel Street). Kaleto Tourist Hostel (in Kaleto Park, 2, T. Panteleev Street). It offers 26 beds in double rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a coffee-bar. Yug Complex. Kirilov-Hotel. Sviloza Hotel. Emili Hotel.

Tourist information: can be obtained at the hotels, at the Tourist Hostel and at Aleko Konstantinov Tourist Association (21, D. Shishmanov Street, tel.: 0631 22131).

Transport: Bus and railway transport. There are regular bus lines to Ruse, Pleven, Veliko Turnovo, Lovech, Byala, Levski and other smaller settlements within the region. The telephone of the bus station is 0631 23205. Svishtov is the last station of the railway line Levski - Svishtov (Belene), through which it is connected to the national railway network. The telephone of the town railway bureau is 0631 22461. There is a river station, as well but since 1992 there is no regular passenger transport along the Danube River on the Bulgarian part. There is a town bus transport functioning in Svishtov, too.

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