Ruse

Ruse is known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, which attracts many tourists. It is often called the Little Vienna. The Friendship Bridge between Ruse and Giurgiu was the only one to join the Bulgarian and Romanian banks of the Danube until 14 June 2013, when the New Europe Bridge was built between Vidin and Calafat.

Ruse is the birthplace of the Nobel laureate in Literature Elias Canetti and the writer Michael Arlen.

Ruse is on the right bank of the river Danube, which is the high bank, having two underwater terraces and three river terraces at 15 to 22 m, 30 to 66 m, and 54 to 65 m. The average altitude is 45.5 m (149.28 ft) AMSL. The urban area is an approximately 11-km ellipse running along the river.