Lom

The town is the successor of an ancient settlement, founded by Thracians under the name Artanes, and later, in 29 AD, it was enlarged as Almus Roman fortress.

The town is the second largest Bulgarian port on the Danube (after Ruse) and is located on a strategic place: the intersection between two Pan-European transport corridors (4 and 7). In 1838 in Lom opened the first shipping agency. Lom gradually became a major export port to Vienna. Today it is a multi-purpose cargo port: it has 5 quays and 13 berths.

The Renaissance spirit of residents of Lom is well known. Here is one of the first established Bulgarian community centres: initially (in 1848) it was in one classroom and after 1856 in a separate building. It was founded by the famous Renaissance teacher, writer and theatre activist Krastyo Pishurka (1823-1875). He founded a school (in 1848) and was a teacher in it. Today his house and the school are among the monuments of culture in the town.

As a result of improving economic prosperity in the beginning of 20^th century, many families in Lom built their homes, designed by Austrian, Hungarian, German and Belgian architects in the style of late Secession, which today boasts the city: ensemble of 50 beautiful buildings along the main street of the city have been declared monuments of culture.

The other landmarks are:

• Remains of Almus Roman fortress;
• Remains of Asparuhov val (4 km east of Lom): defense system of the First Bulgarian Kingdom;
• Historical museum: http://adm.lom.bg/sights.html ;
• Art gallery;
• Fire watchtower;
• Two monuments: of Krastyo Pishurka and of  Tseko Voyvoda;
• Three churches: the Assumption Cathedral temple, St. Nicholas Stari (Borunska) Church and St. Nicholas Novi Church;
• St. Trinity Monastery (30 km, near the village of Dobri dol) and century-old trees near it.

The cultural calendar includes: Festival of Amateur Theatres in the name of Krastyo Pishurka, Municipal Children's Folklore Festival "Danube mood" etc.

There are many sports clubs: boxing, table tennis, water and extreme sports (rowing, yachting and water motor sports incl. scooters) etc. The future tourism development could be: cruise, religious, wine, cognitive, hunting, fishing and rural tourism.

Source: http://adm.lom.bg