The only town in the gorge of Iskar river is Svoge (8351 citizens, 520 metres above sea level). Svoge is situated in the widest possible part of the gorge - it is where the Iskar River flows into its big left feeder, the Iskretska River. The town is 40 kilometres to the north of Sofia and 60 to the south-west of Mezdra. It is a resort with clean and fresh air, located among the most breath-taking of natural surroundings. Some 10 kilometres to the west, in the valley of the Iskretska River, one can visit the village of Iskrets, which hosts one of the biggest sanatoriums in the country for people suffering from lung diseases.
The past of the town of Svoge and the surrounding villages is reflected in the Archaeological Museum (Tsar Simeon Str., working hours 3 - 6 p.m.). The St. Paraskeva Church has preserved interesting frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries. There is a monument in honour of the sacrifices in the war of 1912-1918. The town hosts the Kraft Jacob’s Suchard Co. – a chocolate producing company. The town has a hotel – AIPI Hotel (12, Sofronii Vrachanski Str.).
Tourist information can be obtained in this hotel or from the Iskarski Prolom Tourist Association (15, Tsar Simeon Str., tel.: 0726 2593). Svoge is a railway station along the Sofia - Mezdra - Russe (extending to Varna) line. Bus lines connect it to all neighbouring settlements. The central bus-station (tel.: 0726 3194) and the railway station (tel.: 0726 2310 and 2223) are close by in the centre of the town. Svoge is a starting point for hiking tours to the picturesque areas in all directions but unfortunately there are no marked tracks.
