Shipka Monument, Shipka

Name: Shipka Monument
Address: Shipka, Bulgaria

#1 among attractions in Shipka

Memorial

Gallery (1)

Map

Facts and practical information

The Shipka Monument stands as a proud beacon of Bulgarian history, perched atop Stoletov Peak near the town of Shipka. This grand edifice is a tribute to the heroic efforts of the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who fought and died during the Battle of Shipka Pass, a crucial engagement in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. The battle was pivotal in the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.

Constructed between 1928 and 1934, the monument is a towering structure that dominates the surrounding landscape, visible from miles around. It reaches a height of 31.5 meters, crowned with an impressive eight-meter bronze figure of a lion, a symbol of the bravery of the defenders of Shipka Pass. The lion stands atop a stone pedestal, beneath which lies a series of halls and galleries that recount the valiant struggle through artifacts, weapons, and detailed accounts.

Visitors to the monument can explore the historical exhibition inside, which provides a rich context to the sacrifices made during the conflict. Climbing to the top of the monument, one is rewarded with breathtaking views of the Balkan Mountains, an appropriate backdrop to a site that commemorates such a significant moment in Bulgarian history.

The Shipka Monument is not only a memorial but also a place of annual commemoration, where on August 23rd, the feats of the Shipka defenders are celebrated. It serves as a powerful reminder of Bulgaria's fight for freedom and is an essential site for those interested in the country's past.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 42°44'54"N, 25°19'19"E

Address

Shipka Bulgaria

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Day trips

Shipka Monument – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex, Uzana, Buzludzha, Sokolski Monastery.

4.4 miN
Museum, History museum
Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex, Gabrovo
113 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Bulgaria, the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex is a living museum that offers a unique glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage. Situated near the city of Gabrovo, this open-air museum recreates the atmosphere of a traditional...
4.3 miW
Winter sport, Ski area
Uzana
111 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the Balkan Mountains, Uzana is a picturesque ski area that has been attracting winter sports enthusiasts for years. Located in Bulgaria, this hidden gem offers a tranquil escape from the bustle of the more crowded ski resorts.
3.8 miE
Historical place, View point, Memorial
Buzludzha
96 min walk • Buzludzha, Bulgaria stands as a towering relic of the country's communist past, an imposing monument perched high on the Buzludzha peak in the Central Balkan Mountains. This saucer-shaped edifice, constructed in 1981, was envisioned as a grand memorial to the Bulgarian...
3.5 miN
Sacred and religious sites, Monastery
Sokolski Monastery, Nature Park Bulgarka
89 min walk • The Sokolski Monastery is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery founded in 1833 and named after its founder Yosif Sokolski. It is located 15 km southwest of Gabrovo on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains in the Bulgarka Nature Park and is close to the Sokolovo cave.
3.2 miSE
Tomb
Thracian tomb Shushmanets, Shipka
81 min walk • The Thracian tomb at Shushmanets is a mound located in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers. It was built as a temple in the 4th century BC and later used as a tomb.
3.4 miS
Museum, Tomb
Tomb of Seuthes III
87 min walk • The Tomb of Seuthes III is located near Kazanlak, Bulgaria. Seuthes III was the King of the Odrysian Kingdom of Thrace from c. 331 to c. 300 BC and founder of the nearby Thracian city of Seuthopolis. It is one of the most elaborate tombs in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers.
2.3 miS
Church, Russian revival architecture
Shipka Memorial Church, Shipka
58 min walk • The Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ, better known as the Shipka Memorial Church or Shipka Monastery is a Bulgarian Orthodox church built near the town of Shipka in Stara Planina between 1885 and 1902 to Antoniy Tomishko's design in the seventeenth-century Muscovite style, under the direction of architect Alexander Pomerantsev.
4.3 miS
Museum, Tomb
Ostrusha mound
110 min walk • The Ostrusha mound is a Thracian burial tumulus near the Bulgarian town of Shipka. It was constructed in the middle of the 4th century BCE.
3.2 miS
Museum, Tomb
Thracian tomb Griffins
81 min walk • The Thracian tomb Griffins, found in Bulgaria, has a façade decorated with plastic columns and with a pediment above them. The pediment`s ends are semi-palmettes, the lower leaves of which are elongated and look like heads of griffins.
1.3 miN
Memorial
Shipka Pass, Nature Park Bulgarka
34 min walk • Shipka Pass is a scenic mountain pass through the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria. It marks the border between Stara Zagora province and Gabrovo province. The pass connects the towns of Gabrovo and Kazanlak. The pass is part of the Bulgarka Nature Park. The pass is 13 km by road north of the small town of Shipka.
3.4 miS
Tomb
Thracian tomb Golyama Arsenalka
88 min walk • Golyama Arsenalka mound is a Thracian burial tumulus with a subterranean stone building near the Bulgarian town of Shipka. It dates from the end of 5th century BCE. It is composed of a representative façade, a small antechamber and a domed chamber. The entrances have been closed with double stone doors.