Last updated on December 20, 2023.

Prince Alexander Battenberg Square (Ploshtad Knyaz Aleksandûr Battenberg) is a small square in Ruse named after modern Bulgaria’s first prince

Prince Alexander Battenberg Square
Prince Alexander Battenberg Square

A nephew of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Alexander of Battenberg (1857-1893) was only 22 years old when he took the throne in 1879. He was forced to abdicate in 1886 and died in Graz, Austria, at the age of 36. A war memorial sits in the center of the square.

Monument in the center of Prince Alexander Battenberg Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Monument in the center of the square

 

Regional Historical Museum

Prince Alexander’s former palace sits on the western end of the square and now houses the Regional Historical Museum. The palace was built in 1882 and is one of the most impressive buildings in Ruse.

Regional Historical Museum on Prince Alexander Battenberg Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Regional Historical Museum
Regional Historical Museum on Prince Alexander Battenberg Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Regional Historical Museum

The museum was founded in 1902. It has over 140,000 items in its collection, which covers prehistoric to modern Ruse.

Thracian helmets at the Regional Historical Museum on Prince Alexander Battenberg Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Thracian helmets
Regional Historical Museum in Ruse, Bulgaria
Regional Historical Museum

 

Other Buildings

Two other notable buildings stand on Battenberg Square. They are the Lyuben Karavelov Library and the Hristo Botev School.

Lyuben Karavelov Library on Prince Alexander Battenberg Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Lyuben Karavelov Library
Hristo Botev School on Prince Alexander Battenberg Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Hristo Botev School

 

Said Pasha Mosque

Just south of the square is a small mosque, the Said Pasha Mosque (Said Paşa Camii). It’s a remnant of the city’s Ottoman past, but was unfortunately covered in nationalist graffiti when I walked by.

Said Pasha Mosque in Ruse, Bulgaria
Said Pasha Mosque

 

Doctor Mustakov Square

A couple blocks to the east of the square is Doctor Mustakov Square (Ploshtad Doctor Mustakov). Along with a small produce market, this square displays more of the religious diversity of Ruse. The Catholic Archbishop’s Palace and a small defunct synagogue sit on opposite ends.

Produce market on Doctor Mustakov Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Produce market
Catholic Archbishop's Palace on Doctor Mustakov Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Catholic Archbishop’s Palace

There are only about 100 Jews left in Ruse, so this synagogue is now being used as a Jewish community center. Ruse’s first synagogue was built in 1797 but burned down in 1810. Two more synagogues were later built, in 1826 and 1852.

Former synagogue on Doctor Mustakov Square in Ruse, Bulgaria
Former synagogue

 

Aleksandrovska Street

Finally, a pleasant walk up Aleksandrovska Street (ulitsa Aleksandrovska) will take you to Liberation Square (Ploshtad Svoboda). There are a few nice buildings to admire, although many are in need of renovation. One of the buildings is the Bulgaria Insurance Company, built in 1891. This section of Aleksandrovska isn’t nearly as nice as the one to the northeast of Liberation Square.

Bulgaria Insurance Company in Ruse, Bulgaria
Bulgaria Insurance Company
Aleksandrovska Street in Ruse, Bulgaria
Aleksandrovska Street
A building on Aleksandrovska Street in Ruse, Bulgaria
A building on Aleksandrovska Street
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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