Pantheon of the National Revival

The Pantheon of the National Revival is located in the town of Ruse, on the bank of the Danube River, 195 km north-west of Varna and 311 km north-east of the capital Sofia city.

It represents a national temple-ossuary, occupying area of ​​4456 sq.m, where 39 th-famous Bulgarians are buried, including Lyuben Karavelov, Zahari Stoyanov, Stefan Karadzha, Panayot Khitov, Baba Tonka, Nikola Obretenov, Panayot Volov, Angel Kyntchev and others. Furthermore, 453 more people are honoured- participants in the Botev detachment, the Chervenovod detachment of insurgents, the April Uprising and volunteers whose names are inscribed in the inside.

The construction of the Pantheon began in 1977 at the site of the demolished in 1975 Christian Church "All Saints". It was officially opened on February 28, 1978 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Liberation of Bulgaria of Ottoman Rule.

The relics of the prominent Bulgarian revolutionaries are laid under a frieze of carved mahogany. The masterfully executed carving symbolizes the economic, political and spiritual revival of the Bulgarian people during the National Revival. In the middle of the Patheon, under the gilded dome, an eternal flame used to burn but it was extinguished in 1988.

After extensive discussion, in 2001 the Pantheon was "Christianized" by placing a cross on its dome, and opening the chapel "St. Paisiy of Hylendar" and a museum exhibition.

The Pantheon is among the 100 National tourist sites.

TRANSPORT AND ACCOMODATION

The Pantheon of the National Revival is easily accessible as it is located in the town of Ruse. It is situated on the National Revival Square and is open to visitors daily from 9 till 17:30 / except Friday and Saturday /.

Ruse offers excellent accommodation conditions for tourists - several hotels, guest houses, restaurants and afes are available for tourists.

Sources: www.museumruse.com, http://bg.wikipedia.org
Photos: http://bulgariatravel.org