located 4 km. east of Svishtov. A camp occurred in 45 year AD, and the Eighth Augusta Legion was placed there. The First Italian Legion came there in 69 AD and stayed there till the end of antiquity . A fortification with size 485 to 365 meters was built in the high bank of the Danube. In the West and southwest there was a civilian settlement and veterans of the army, merchants, craftsmen and their families lived there. Two km. in the east from the town Nove is found another village. In fourth century military camp gradually became a fortress city, with mixed military and civilian populations. This place was a Roman military town. Photos Geography
Svishtov is situated in central northern
part of Bulgaria, on the banks of the Danube. This is the most southern point of the Danube . Svishtov is 237 kilometers from Sofia, 85 km from Veliko Tarnovo, 80 km from Pleven and 90 km from Rousse History The Eighth legion of Augusta was accommodated here in 48 year AD. Later it was renamed like the First Italian Legion (the faithful legions of the emperor). In the vicinity of present-day town of Svishtov From the Roman times to the present days there was a settlement named Nove (Novae). This area was 44 hectares.
During the Middle Ages ,during the reign of Ivan Shishman
this place was Zibestova and it was was a regional center. The town was burned by the Russians in 1810, but then in 1820 began to be revived. It was during the Russian- Turkish war. On June 15, 1877 the Russian army crossed the Danube in this place . It was begun the path of the freedom of Bulgaria. Svishtov was the first free town of Bulgaria. Sightseeing The 1-st Bulgarian Cultural Centre "Elenka and Cyrill E. Avramov”. The 1-st Bulgarian Choir “Janko Mustakov “ The 1-st Bulgarian secular school. The Clock Tower (1763). Churches: “St. Demetrius” (16 century) “Holy Trinity “ (1867 N. Fichev- Kanev, 1886) "Parvoapostols St. Peter and Paul” (1644), "Saints Cyrill and Methodius” (Kanev 1873) . “Holy Transfiguration “ “St. Prophet Elijah” Catholic Church “ St. Cyrill and Methodius " Citadel area Site "Monuments" near Svishtov Celebrities
• Many celebreties were born in Svishtov,
such as Aleko Konstantinov, Alexandar Bojinov, Dimitar Pavlovich. • There is a monument and Museum in honor of Aleko Konstantinov . Prepared by Tsvetelina Yankova