Yantra (river)

The Yantra (Янтра ) is a river in northern Bulgaria, a right tributary of the Danube. It is 285 km long (the third longest Bulgarian tributary of the Danube, after Iskar and Osam), and has a watershed of 7,862 km². Its average discharge at the mouth is 47 m3/s.

The Yantra originates from the northern foot of Hadzhi Dimitar Peak in Central Stara Planina, at 1,340 m. In its upper course, it is alternatively known as Etar (Етър), its older name. The river flows into the Danube close to Svishtov.

The river characteristically forms a number of gorges as it flows northward through the foothills of Stara Planina. The most prominent and longest one is 7 km, located close to the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire Veliko Tarnovo.

Major cities on the river are Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Polski Trambesh, and Byala, close to which is the famous Belenski bridge.

Honour
Yantra Cove in Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Yantra River.