The Shipka monument is one of the most brilliant and well-known symbols in the country. Dedicated to the heroic Shipka battles in July-September 1877, part of the Russian-Turkish War. In fact, the monument itself is part of Shipka Park Museum, which is part of the Shipka-Buzludja National Park Museum. Every Bulgarian should visit this place at least once, and for the people living closer, the park is a great place for frequent walks.
The Shipka Park includes 26 monuments, restored military positions, dugouts , and batteries, in the places where they were during the epic battles. It is 28 km. away from Kazanlak and 22 km. from Gabrovo. The Monument of Freedom occupies a major place in the park. It is located on Mount Shipka, which was previously called St. Nicholas, and for a time Stoletov. The monument was built with donations from the whole Bulgarian population as a gratitude to the heroes for spilling their blood for the freedom of Bulgaria. It’s building began in 1922 and was opened on 26 August 1934 by King Boris III. Designed by arch. Donkov and sculptor Andreyev, it rises 31.5 meters high. The entrance of the monument resembling a medieval fortress is guarded by a proud bronze lion. The lion is a symbol of Bulgarian statehood. The other three countries have the names of Shipka, Sheinovo and Stara Zagora.
Several other`monuments were built before the main memorial was erected. In the period 1878-1881 the first ones, which were Russian, were built. In 1910 there are also monuments of the Bulgarian 3rd and 5th Volunteer Battalion.
The interior of the monument is a museum of seven floors. It has some unique exhibits such as weapons and uniforms, medals, personal belongings, photos and documents, as well as a copy of the first Bulgarian battle flag, the Samarski flag. On the ground floor of the monument, in the middle of the room is a marble sarcophagus, in which are held bones of heroes died in the battle.
The top level of the Monument of Freedom is an open-air landing that shows a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire area. From there, everyone can imagine where the fierce battles took place on the restored positions, batteries and trenches. Do not forget to get a coat too, because the wind is not as terrible as the Ottoman soldiers, but it's also not to be underestimated.
The park is easy to reach. There are buses from Gabrovo and Kazanlak. By car you can reach the monument itself if you do not climb all 890 steps leading to it from the main car park.
If you believe in the popular belief that the best way to get to know one place is on foot, you also have plenty of choices. You can choose to start the trek from the village of Shipka and go through several historical places before you reach the peak. From Gabrovo you can go from the Sokolski Monastery. Interesting is also the road from the neighborhood of Yabulka, which passes through the monument Buzludja before reaching the top. Shipka can also be reached on foot from Uzana.
There are also numerous cafes and restaurants in the area, as well as two hotels. Of course, there are places where you can get souvenirs.
Annually, Shipka celebrates the national holiday March 3rd, attended by the President of the Republic and many other public figures. The event gathers thousands of people from all over the country who commemorate the memory of the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who died.
Shipka is a place that is well known to all Bulgarians. Everyone has studied the history of the hill defense, without which the development of history could have been quite different. No matter how many times and during which season you choose to visit Shipka, we guarantee that the energy of the majestic monument and of the whole area will always excite you.
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