historic site
Monument of Freedom at Shipka
The monument commemorates the defense of Shipka Pass by Russian troops and Bulgarian volunteers during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.
About this place
The monument commemorates the defense of Shipka Pass by Russian troops and Bulgarian volunteers during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. Funded through voluntary public contributions, it was designed by architect Atanas Donkov and sculptor Alexander Andreev and inaugurated on 26 August 1934. The fortress-like stone monument is 31.5 metres high; its interior contains seven exhibition levels with weapons, documents, photographs, personal objects and a replica of the Samara flag. The upper platform overlooks preserved and reconstructed batteries, trenches, positions, memorials and mass graves across the Shipka battlefield landscape. The official museum describes road and bus access from Kazanlak and Gabrovo, but mountain weather and transport conditions should be checked before departure. Recheck the linked official sources shortly before visiting because access, schedules, tours and road conditions can change.
Access information
- The official museum describes road and bus access from Kazanlak and Gabrovo, but mountain weather and transport conditions should be checked before departure.
- The principal approach includes 890 steps, and additional stairs serve the interior exhibition and upper platform; do not assume step-free access.
- The official site has carried closure notices, so verify current monument, exhibition and platform access directly with the National Park-Museum.
Location
42.74830, 25.32170. Coordinates are for orientation, not parking or turn-by-turn navigation.
Sources and freshness
Editorial research by Bulgaria Unfolded. Last checked . Reconfirm changing access details before departure.