Lovech is a historic city which in the past was one of the main shopping centers in the Turkish-occupied territories of Bulgaria. Its symbol is the covered bridge over the Osym River, which was used as a market in the past.
The history of the city dates back to Thracian times, but its greatest heyday took place under Turkish rule. Important trade routes crossed here, making it an important stop for merchants traveling through this part of Europe. During the Bulgarian national revival, Lovech was also the center of the independence movement.
The biggest attraction in Lovech is the Covered Bridge built in the Turkish times. Initially, it was a wooden structure, but after numerous fires, it was rebuilt in 1931 from concrete and stone, and the market part was covered with wood. Today, after renovation, it houses numerous craft workshops and souvenir shops.
The bridge also went down in Bulgarian history as a secret meeting place for conspirators involved in the fight for the country's liberation from Turkish rule. The most famous of them was Wasyl Lewski, whose monument can be seen in the city. There is also the Museum of Wasyl Lewski presenting his figure and the history of the struggle for independence.
Among the monuments of Lovech, it is worth mentioning the Old Turkish Bath of Delhi, which has the status of a museum, an Ethnographic Complex with houses from the Turkish era, and the Cathedral of St. Cyril and Methodius. A famous attraction of the city is the Zoo in Lovech, the largest in this part of Bulgaria.
