History

During the 3rd century b.C., in the north-east part of the present city, was established a primeval settlement called Rousse village hill (Rusenska selishtna mogila). In 1st century a.C. there was built a Roman Fortress "Pristis" (Sexaginta Prista - lat. The city of the six ships). The excavations showed that the castle was built upon a Thracian village. Pristis was destroyed in 7th century by the Barbarians. Then, during the First Bulgarian Kingdom, on Pristis' place was established a settlement with the name Rusi. The earliest mentioning of Rusi was in 1380. Main connection between the two shores of the river was Rusi - Iorgo (Iorgo= Giurgu, Romania). In 15th century Rusi was included in District of Nikopol (Nikopolski Sandjak). In 16th century Rusi was big trade center. In 17th and 18th century the city was called with many names but after the Liberation (Osvobojdenieto) the city's name stayed Rustchuk, Russe and now - Rousse (Ruse). In 18th century the city was established as an important fortress and in 19th century becomes seat of the newly created Danube district (Tuna vilaet) with a governor Mithad Pasha. He came in Rustchuk with a team of doctors, engineers, architects, and other speciallists with different nationalities. Mithad pasha had the ambition to make Ruschuk a great, beautiful and developed European city. Rousse is one of the centers in which were created a national-liberation movement. After the Liberation the trade, banking, industry, education, book publishing, culture developed very fast. Rousse is the FIRST bulgarian city with an european architectural appearance.