Place Name
Developed at the same time as Shipka Road, this is a reference to the Russo-Turkish War 1877 – 1878, Sistoce (now called Svishtov) sitting on the south bank of the Danube, facing Romania. The origins of the name Svishtov can be found in its old Bulgarian variation Sveshtniy deriving from the word svesht or svyasht, meaning candle. This was due to the existence of a lighthouse in the city. This is known as the first town to be liberated during the conflict which came about as Bulgarian nationalists rose up against the Ottoman Empire, which had ruled over a large swathe of Central Europe and the Middle East for centuries. In January 1878 a correspondent of The Times of London noted that, because of the war: “Sistova does not present its former animated appearance, although there is much more movement here than I expected, . . . with roast turkeys, chickens, and all other delicacies of the season on the bill of fare [of the] numerous restaurants in the town.” This street was developed soon afterwards, the developer may have simply liked the name which had been in the news the previous months, or may have had a personal grievance against the Turks.
