Byala (Ruse Province)

The Old Bridge underwent a controversial cleanup and restoration in 2024. Pedestrian access only. There's a parking lot by the E85 next to the visitor centre on the west side of the river; on the east side the bridge exits onto a secondary road that splits off to the north from the same large roundabout on the E85 where Road 51 exits south to pass through Byala proper.

Visitor centre for the bridge built in 2024 on its western end. A somewhat kitschy small museum with a cafe and a gift shop. Educational exhibits tell the story of the Old Bridge's construction with wax figures, models, and multimedia shows (with English subtitles). Next to the parking lot is the 1970s (?) statue of the stonemason that was once next to the bridge.

Monument to Shumen-born revolutionary Panayot Volov (circa 1850-1876), marking his death nearby (see #Understand). A bust at the base of an obelisk flanked by stairs. There's nominal road access from the south, exiting the street coming from Byala, but the entrance has been poorly maintained. Evidently ensuring access was not a priority when the roundabout was created, so it might be best to approach on foot if you wish to see it up closely.

Standard small-town history museum, formerly solely dedicated to the Liberation War since its creation in 1907. The most impressive exhibits remain the relics donated by the Russian imperial army, including Gatling guns and various equipment used for crossing the Danube. A 19th-century house inside a large yard/garden that used to be the harem of the local Ottoman overseer and served as the HQ of the local Russian forces during the war. The yard contains the grave of Russian nurse Baroness Yulia Vrevskaya.

Byala's main square with a small park/garden. On the north-western side is the municipality building, and there's a playground north of the clock tower. On the south-western side, across the street, is the local chitalishte (cultural/community centre/library) named Trudolyubie ("Industry", lit. "love of labour").

Completed in 1872; a 15 m tower, including a 9.5 m square masonry base; the original wooden superstructure was replaced with concrete in 1932.

A pretty three-nave stone church with a dome and a 20 m integral bell tower. It was built between 1915 and 1924. The four bells were a gift from Russian Emperor Alexander II. A functioning Eastern Orthodox temple, so mind your behaviour.

The number 1300 made out of contrasting trees planted in the hillside west of Byala proper. One of the many Communist-era commemorations of the 1300th anniversary of the founding of the First Bulgarian Empire in 681. Ironically, it might have been killed off by global warming (drought and pests).