Shipka Monument

The stones were handcrafted and transported to the monument using ox-drawn carts, while the sand was transported by carriages from Mogilovo and Enina along a new road. The stone tower was roughly constructed, and the brass lion in front of it was cast in the Sofia Military Arsenal based on the design by sculptor Kiril Shivarov.

According to the initial project, the brass lion was supposed to be placed on top of the monument. Using a makeshift model on the constructed tower, it was determined that if the figure were placed there, its visibility would not be good. For this reason, the lion was placed on the cornice above the main entrance of the monument. It is speculated that the location of the figure was changed for political reasons, as placing it on the monument would have been perceived as a challenge by neighboring countries, especially if the lion faced a particular direction. The Romanian government protested against the north direction, as it saw some implications regarding the liberation of Southern Dobruja, while Turkey, Greece, and Serbia objected to the south and west directions. As a result, the lion was placed in its current position, facing the east. This version of events has been classified as a legend.

The monument represents a large dolomite tower in the shape of a truncated pyramid, standing at a height of 31.5 meters. Above the entrance to the tower stands a huge brass lion measuring 8 meters in length and 4 meters in height, weighing around 12 tons and assembled from 53 individual pieces. The names of the major battles – Shipka, Stara Zagora, Sheynovo – are inscribed on the other sides of the tower. A female figure symbolizes the victory over the Turkish forces. On the ground floor of the monument stands a large marble sarcophagus, which houses some of the bones of the Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers. Above it, there are four more floors, displaying replicas of Bulgarian battle flags and other relics. From the top of the tower, a magnificent panorama of Shipka Peak and the surrounding area can be seen.

The Shipka epic includes the battles that took place on the highest points of the Shipka Pass, including St. Nicholas, Eagle’s Nest, Shipka, and others. It involves the capture of the pass by Russian troops in the First Battle of Shipka, the decisive battles from August 9-11, 1877, in the Second Battle of Shipka, and the Holding of Shipka.

The Shipka detachment, consisting of the Bulgarian volunteers, the 36th Orlov Infantry Regiment, and the 35th Briansk Infantry Regiment, repelled a regular Turkish army of 27,000 soldiers, not including the bashi-bazouk forces. The Shipka detachment, under the command of Major General Nikolai Stoletov, consisted of 7,500 soldiers and 27 artillery pieces, opposing the Central Ottoman Army under the command of Suleiman Pasha.

Cultural significance

The national monuments at Shipka are associated with events of exceptional societal significance. Their construction is the result of the collective efforts of architects, sculptors, and the entire grateful Bulgarian people. The natural landmarks in the area and the historical events intertwine to make it one of the most emotionally charged places in Bulgaria, one of the greatest tourist attractions.

On March 3, 2003, the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of Bulgaria’s Liberation from Ottoman rule were attended by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart, Georgi Parvanov.