Monument of Freedom

The gratitude of the Bulgarian people to the feat of the heroes who defended with their blood the Shipka passage and the freedom of Bulgaria is crowned with the magnificent Monument of Freedom on the peak of Shipka.

It was built with the free-will contributions of the entire people under a project of the architect Donkov and sculpture Andreev. Its inauguration happened on 26-th of August 1934. The monument resembles a Medieval Bulgarian fortress. It is 31.5m high and there are 890 steps which lead to it. Above the central entrance proudly stands a bronze lion – symbol of the Bulgarian statehood. On the remaining three sides are written the names of Shipka, Sheinovo and Stara Zagora – the battlefields reminding of the heroism of the Bulgarian volunteers.

On the ground floor, under a marble sarcophagus situated on four lions in a lying position, are kept the bones of heroes who died during the defense of Shipka. In front of the sarcophagus stand still on their eternal watch the stone figures of Russian soldier and Bulgarian volunteer. The exhibition situated on the other seven floors of the monument reveals the heroism of Russians and Bulgarians during the lasted 5 months defense of the passage. It includes rich collection of orders and medals photo and documentary materials, personal belongings of participants in the battles, armory. There is a replica of the Samara flag – the first battle flag of the Bulgarian volunteer forces. From the last platform is opened a panorama view to the neighborhood with restored batteries, trenches, marked positions, monuments and common graves which keep the memories for the feat and self-sacrifice of the Shipka heroes.

Working hours:

Summer season ( 1-st of May – 30-th of October): from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (tickets are sold to 6:30 pm).

Winter season: (1-st of November – 30-th of Aprl): from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (tickets are sold to 4:30 pm).

Prices for visits of the Monument of Freedom:

For adults: 2.00 levs

For students and pensioners – 1.00 lev

For disabled people – free of charge

Lectures: on Bulgarian language – 5.00 levs

                   on foreign language – 10.00 levs

The visitors can take advantage also on a package of tourist services which includes transport from the park place near Monument of freedom, visit and a lecture.

Price of the package: for adults: 3.50 levs

For students and pensioners: 2.00 levs

For the tourists are also organized walking excursions to the positions of the one-time battlefield.

National Monument-Museum ‘Shipka-Buzludzha’

Phone for contacts: 0431/ 62495