One of the oldest and most interesting Bulgarian towns, Lovech, lies picturesquely on both banks of the Osam river, some 170km to the northeast of Sofia. The present-day town is the heir of the Thracian town of Melta, situated in the Hisarlaka area.

During the Middle Ages, Lovech was a strategic military centre, called Lovuts, while in the 12th century, the town gradually moved to the right bank of the Osam river, where the current quarter of Varosha lies. In Byzantine times, following the Turnovo uprising against Byzantine domination, the Lovech Fortress defended successfully the road to Veliko Turnovo and forced the Byzantine Empire to conclude the famous Lovech Peace Treaty in 1187, which gave a new start to the Bulgarian state.

Outside the town, one can visit the Stratesh Park, which lies on the right bank of the Osam river and represents a wonderful place for recreation with tourist facilities, monuments, ruins of a Medieval fortress and even a zoo. It is also popularly called the Park of Lilies for the abundance of such flowers there.

One of the most beautiful natural phenomena of Bulgaria – the Devetashka Cave – lies about 20km to the northeast of Lovech. The cave is unique for its huge entrance – 35-meter high and 55-meter wide - and the biggest cave hall in Southeast Europe. The enormous hall opens up right after the entrance. It has 7 openings on the ceiling and was inhabited by humans during the Paleolithic, Neolithic and Bronze eras. Unfortunately, the halls had been used as a storehouse for liquid fuels for many years and was reopened for tourists only in 1996. The cave has 11 underground lakes and rather beautiful cave formations.