June 27 – Svishtov public holiday

On June 27, Svishtov - the town which was the first to be liberated from the Turkish yoke in 1877, is traditionally marking this event. This is also its official holiday. Svishtov has a long and rich history. The first settlers of the site near the town of today came here in the time of the Middle Neolithic (3000 - 2600 BC). Novae - the former Roman castle - initially sprang as headquarters of a Roman Legion. Gradually it turned into an important economic and cross-roads center. The archaeological excavations near the town of Svishtov revealed ancient city remains of inestimable historic value. One of the places of historical and cultural interests in it is the church St. Dimitar, which is the oldest wholly-preserved architectural monument from the XVI century. It was built by the famous master Gencho from Tryavna. During the liberating march of the Russian troops , which started from Svishtov, the church, which still exists today, following orders by the Russian emperor, was fully repaired, furnished and conceded to the Russian officers and soldiers for their needs. The landing of the liberators took place on the night before June 27 1877 in the region called “Pametnitzite” (The Monuments), which is located some 5 km east from Svishtov. Nowadays, white stone needles have been built there in memoriam of the Russian soldiers, who died in the battle for the town’s liberation. The place has been turned into a park, called the Liberators’ Park.