Medieval stronghold of Cherven (translated from the Bulgarian red) is one of the most impressive military, administrative, economic, religious and cultural centers of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (XII-XIV century). Ruins of a fortress located in the village of Cherven, 35 kilometers to the South from Rousse.

The Cherven fortress was built on the ruins of another fortress of the early Byzantine period (VI century), but it is known that this territory was to equip people in the Thracian era. The importance of strengthening increased after 1235, when it became the centre of the diocese. The fortress was destroyed after the Tatar invasion in 1242, and later passed into the hands of the Byzantine invaders during the reign of Tsar Ivaylo (1278-1280).

Second half of the fourteenth century was marked by the prosperity of the fortress: it grows to an area of 1 sq km, where there are farm buildings and houses. Is the fortress during this period, from the inner city near the banks of the Cherni Lom river, and outside the city at the foot of the cliffs. In addition, the city is surrounded by a complex system of additional stone fortifications.

In the same century Cherven becomes craft center, at the forefront of the extraction of iron and its processing, also not in last place are construction, art and other crafts. With its convenient location the city-fortification became an important center of trade, as it lies in the path of those who follow the Danube.

The Fort was captured and destroyed by the Ottoman Empire in 1388. After the transition in the power of the Turks, the fortress gradually lost its credibility, although there is still some time remains the administrative center.

The first excavations on the ground near the fortress of Cherven were organized in the years 1910-1911, and by 1961 during regular excavations, a large feudal castle, two underground drainage, walls, 13 churches, public buildings, houses, streets. Also completely preserved part of the castle is a three – storey tower built in the XIV century. All the finds are stored in the National history, the National archaeological Museum in Sofia, as well as part of the findings is sent to the Regional historical Museum of Rousse.

The Cherven fortress is an archaeological reserve of national importance since 1965.