Shipka Memorial

Leaving the town of Gabrovo to the south is Shipka pass. The pass connects the towns of Gabrovo and Kazanlak through the Balkan mountains. The pass is also part of the beautiful Bulgarka Nature Park.
When you visit the monument, even in the height of summer, it can be quite a lot cooler and breezy this high up so be prepared.

The Shipka Memorial is on Stoletov Peak just above the pass, reached by a long flight of steps or a road.

It is an imposing memorial to those who died for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Battles of Shipka Pass in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 and was opened in 1934.

 

The monument is a 31.5metre high stone tower in the form of a truncated pyramid. A giant bronze lion, 8m long and 4m high, stands guard above the entrance to the tower, together with the figure of a woman and represents the victory over the Ottoman forces. 

 

 

Inside the monument a marble sarcophagus housing some of the remains of the Russian and Bulgarian casualties is on the first floor. There are four other floors where you can browse replicas of Bulgarian military flags and other relics from the battle. From the top of the tower you get a fantastic panorama of Shipka Peak and the surrounding area.

The pass itself, leading to the monument, can be quite an experience as cars attempt to pass lorries on the uphill parts and moronic lorry drivers try to pass cars on downhill bends.