Ferdinand I Military Club

At its meeting on March, 21st, 1889, the Ruse Municipal Council allocated a site for the construction of a building for military assembly, above the Austrian landing stage, where earlier there was a fort, on condition that a public garden open to all citizens, should be built.

The military club opened its doors on October, 5th, 1890 to meet the needs of officers from the Ruse garrison in peacetime. It was used as a cultural home and library and upheld the traditions of the so-called "Regimental family" - a society of officers and their wives, under the direction of the commander of the 5th Infantry Danube Regiment.

The military club resembled the popular gentleman's clubs in the 19th century in England. Musical and theatrical performances were staged there, but balls remained the strongest attraction for Ruse residents at the beginning of XX c.. The most popular ones were the New Year's ball and the Fancy-dress Ball before Lents.

Today the club belongs to the Executive Agency of Military Clubs Recreation under the Minister of Defence and continues to hold social, informational and cultural activities. In the grounds next to it, there is an open-air theatre hosting events in the summer.