Levent Tabiya Fort

Levent Tabia Fort is located in the town of Ruse, on the very bank of the Danube River, 195 km north-west of Varna and 311 km north-east of the capital Sofia city.

The fortress is situated on the highest point of Ruse, near the Sara bair hill. In the past the fort was one of the most important in defending the Danube frontier of the Ottoman Empire and the largest and strong arm of Ruse Ottoman fortress.

Its construction began in the 20s of XIX century. On the eve of the Russo-Turkish War/1828-1829/ the fort still had temporary facilities, but in the early 30s of the nineteenth century it was reconstructed mainly on Prussian military engineers' projects and retained its appearance to the Liberation War despite the late modernisations. For its fortification exceptional measures were taken because it was reported that due to its strategic location a takeover would lead to the surrender of the entire fortress.

The outer fortification line of the fort consisted of earthworks and a moat with shaft front facing south. Its complex erected concealed entrance was located in the north. During the Liberation War, 20 large caliber "Krupp" guns were stored there. The fort could accommodate a garrison of 3000 people (1 regiment) and was adapted to withstand a long siege.

After the Liberation, notwithstanding the provisions of the Berlin Congress (1879) for the demolition of all fortifications in the Principality of Bulgaria, the fort was preserved and was used for burial of the Danube military flotilla. During World War II it has anti-aircraft battery. After the dissolution of the Danube military flotilla in 1961, the fort was left ownerless for a couple of years.

In 1972 it was turned into an attractive restaurant complex "The Levent" with seven halls, each of which wore the atmosphere of one of Danube's capitals. In the mid-90s the restaurant ceased activity to be restored and renovated in the late 2005 primarily as a complex "The Levent" comprising a restaurant and "Ruse Wine House."

TRANSPORT AND ACCOMODATION

Levent Tabia Fort is easily reached as it is located in the town of Ruse - in Malyovitsa quarter in the separated The Levent complex.

The complex does not offer accommodation. The restaurant comprises 150 seats in 7 halls divided thematically and richly decorated with frescoes. Tourists can benefit from several hotels and guest houses in Ruse.

Sources:  http://www.leventa-bg.net, http://tripi.bg
Photos: http://tripi.bg, http://www.alakart.bg