One of the emblems of the city of Ruse – known as the most European and beautiful Bulgarian town – welcomes its visitors with a renovated gold-plated dome. The Pantheon of National Revival Heroes is located in the heart of the Danube city. Recently, the cultural landmark was renovated with funds allocated under a joint Bulgaria-Romania cross-border cooperation project. For the purpose, over EUR 2.7 million has been absorbed. Part of the funding was used for renovation of an old fortress located in the opposite Romanian city of Giurgiu. 

The Pantheon of National Revival Heroes is a Bulgarian national monument and an ossuary. The remains of 39 famous Bulgarians, including Luyben Karavelov, Zahari Stoyanov, Panayot Volov, Panayot Hitov, Tonka Obretenova and others, are interned there. 453 other participants in Botev’s detachment, in the April uprising and other revolutionaries have been honored by inscription of their names in the interior. The unique building was constructed on the site of the old Ruse cemetery. The monument was unveiled on February 28, 1978, on occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Rule.

The impressive gold-plated dome covering an area of 155 square meters was renovated as well. Its renovation continued for more than one month. 23.7 karat gold was used for its renovation. The park surrounding the national monument- ossuary was refreshed under the project and the inscription letters were cleaned. There is also an exhibition corridor in the building.

A new cross-border tourist route, which will present the cultural and historical landmarks of the two Danube cities – Ruse and Giurgiu, is expected to be launched. For the purpose, an attractive web site will be developed to help curious travelers.

Editor: Veneta Nikolova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov