Rousse occupies a significant place in the Bulgarian national history and has a rich cultural-historical heritage — a potential needed for the development of cultural tourism . As a settlement Rousse has a very rich, millennial history. The town itself was founded in the I century D.C. as a Roman military fortification with a river port, and was named Sexaginta Prista (The port of the 60 vessels).
Under Ottoman servitude Rousse became the center of a large administrative region (Tuna Province) which gave a strong boost to the town’s economic and cultural development. In the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century as a result of the wide range of economic and cultural contacts with the countries along the Danube river Rousse grew into the biggest and the most beautiful town in Bulgaria, with a predominant European appearance and traditions. Numerous elegant buildings were erected with unique external and internal decorations in Secession style. Emblematic for the town and most exquisite among all is the Money-earning Building (Now the ‘Sava Ognyanov’ Drama Theatre). During this period of time the first institutions of the young Bulgarian state were established, such as the first banks and insurance companies, the first professional theatre, the first Bulgarian cinema show took place, etc. On the territory of the region have been registered about 30 cultural monuments of national significance. The cultural-historical monuments are thematically and chronologically related and are formed and offered as tourist itineraries for various tourist group categories. The region has a well developed network of museums, consisting of three museums: the National Museum of Transport and Communications (the only one in the country) and the Regional Historical Museum — Rousse which has 8 exhibitions, namely: the Tomb of National Heroes - The Panteon, Kaliopa’s House, Zachary Stoyanov’s House, Toma Kardzhiev’s House, Temporary Exhibitions Hall, Sexaginta Prista, The Rock Churches of Ivanovo Architectural Reserve, The Medieval Castle of Cherven, The Museum in the town of Byala, a number of monuments, churches and religious buildings: Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelic, Baptist, Adventist and Armenian Churches, Synagogues and Mosques.

Cultural-historical sights
The development of the cultural, festival and conference tourism within the region is based on some major factors, such as the rich historical-cultural heritage of the town, the variety of pleasant restaurants, cafes and clubs, also the project for renovation and reformation of the Family House of Elias Canetti into an International tourist, cultural, information, scientific, conference and festival centre of the Danube countries. Rousse is and will be the “Bulgarian pearl on the Danube”.
Apart from the rich cultural-historical heritage of the town of Rousse, its environs have two cultural-historical sites — the Rock Churches of Ivanovo Architectural Reserve (which is included in UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage ) and The Medieval Castle of Cherven (national monument). Close to them is the Rock Monastery of Bassarbovo which is related in subject to the Ivanovo complex. The exceptional qualities of the murals give reason to historians and art experts to believe that this was one of the largest centres of culture and spirit of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The Medieval Castle of Cherven lies about 14 km from the Rock Churches of Ivanovo and is the biggest and authentically preserved stronghold from the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The reserves are situated in the valley of the Roussenski Lom river famous for its rich flora and fauna. They offer excellent possibilities for ecological and ornithological tourism.

Museum of Transport
It is located on the first railway station in Bulgaria, beyond the Youths Park. The Station dates from 1866 when the railway Rousse-Varna was built. The exhibition represents the development of the rail and river transport in Bulgaria. At the platforms in front of the station one may see a number of locomotives and carriages among which is the first locomotive and the saloon-carriage of Sultan Abdul Azis from 1866, as well as a carriage of King Boris III and of Marshal Tolbuhin.

Regional History Museum
The museum is located on Batenberg Square - the old town center was located there. Around the square there are buildings being national cultural monuments: among them is the Museum, The Secondary School, the Library. In the middle of the garden you will find the Monument of the fallen in the Bulgarian-Serbian War - it is the most honored soldier’s monument in the region.
The building of the Museum intended to be District Administration. It is the first administration building, built for that purpose after the Liberation.

Roman fortress ‘Sexaginta prista’
The fortress was working from 1st to the beginning of 7th century. Except the fortress defences (battle tower, north fortress wall, barracks and store premises) the exposition consists of curious ancient stone inscriptions, architectural decorations and tombstone monuments. The complex is situated near River station.