Stratesh Park – Lovech

The Stratesh Park in located on the hill of the same name in the northern part of Lovech (Central North Bulgaria). It embraces an area of about 1000 decares. The park was constructed following the project of architect Ivanchev (1956), Petko Evrev and Kosta Enchev, with the voluntary works of the natives and the machinery of the local enterprises. First, the central part was constructed – the place surrounding the White Monument. The official opening of the park took place on May 27, 1964. Today, the asphalt-paved alleys pass around beautiful lakes, gardens with flowers, ornamental trees and bushes. The White Monument erects on the place near the rock bending above the river, where the Russians placed their artillery position during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. Next to the White Monument the Soyuz 33 crew Nikolai Rukavishnikov and Georgi Ivanov, along with their colleagues Alexander Alexandrov and Aleksei Yeliseyev planted trees during their visit in Lovech on May 16, 1979. The Black Monument is located in the western part of the park, and is also dedicated to the Russian liberators. The eastern part of the park homes one of the most visited places – the Zoo, which is the second biggest in Bulgaria, both by size and variety of animals.