Bulgaria Inside

The biggest of its kind park in Bulgaria is situated 25 km away from Pleven, on the road to Sofia. General Lavrov Park is located near the road diversion to Gorni Dubnik village. This memorial park, just like Skobelev Park, was created at its current site for a reason. The place is a former military ground where a battle that was part of the Russo-Turkish war took place.

Right after Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule, the Russian government started erecting monuments in the region of Gorni Dubnik. A number of monuments, honoring all soldiers who took part or died in the battles were set up. Sculptures and an open-air exhibition of Russian weapons also became part of the memorial area. A park was created there from 1950 to 1954. In 1977, the park was entirely renovated and new monuments were positioned.

The park underwent additional renovation as part of a campaign for the renewal of the Bulgarian cultural and historic heritage. A chapel named St. Velikomuchenik Georgi Pobedonosets started functioning there in 2004.

Unfortunately, no tour guide can take you through the landmarks of the park today. One worked in the park until 1990, since funding for the maintenance of the park was available. Today, a small volunteer committee is doing its best to maintain alleys and benches. It is still a pleasure to take a walk in this beautiful and peaceful place and to hear the whispers of history.

The battle for Pleven’s liberation is one of the most decisive in Bulgaria’s strive to free itself from Ottoman rule. The events that took part in the region of present-day Lavrov park played a crucial role. General Gourko’s contingent was positioned in the vicinities of Gorni Dubnik. The role of the contingent was to interrupt the connection of Osman Pasha with Sofia, in order to stop the supply of food and weapons for the Ottoman army.

On October 24 1877, a battle took place, which predetermined forthcoming events. Russian soldiers won the Gorni Dubnik battle but many were killed. The dense fog was one of the reasons, since it forced Russians to fight Russians, without seeing what was happening.

The army included many soldiers from Sweden, Romania, Finland and Norway. The 39-year old general Vasili Nikolaevich Lavrov was deadly wounded and the park was later on named after him. Over 3000 people died in the historic region. There is no data of Finnish soldiers dying in battle elsewhere. Lavrov Park houses one of a kind monument, where Finnish soldiers have been buried.