Bulgaria Inside

Shipka national park is an open-air museum. Shipka peak has been turned into a complex, only 28 km away from the town of Kazanluk and 22 km away from Gabrovo. The defense lines and dugouts of passage defenders have been recreated there. The park has 26 monuments.

The Liberty Monument is the biggest among them. All Bulgarians are familiar with that shape. Its silhouette is seen from a big distance. The monument was presented in August 1934. Its height is 31.5 meters and 890 stairs lead to the monument. Donations were used for its creation. The silhouette resembles a medieval Bulgarian tower.

A big bronze lion protects the monument’s entrance. The ground floor has been turned into an ossuary where the remains of 317 Bulgarian revolutionaries rest.

The other seven floors of the museum display personal belongings of soldiers, medals, photos, weapons and documents connected to the Shipka battle.

During the summer, the museum is open from 9 am to 7 pm and during the winter – from 9 am to 4.30 pm. Restaurants nearby offer refreshments and additional tourist services.