Stoletov Bulgaria tours to remember
‘And today, every time there’s a storm in the mountain,
The summit recalls this grim day and, recounting
The story, its echoing glory relays’
From valley to valley, from age unto age!’ (Ivan Vazov) Stoletov Bulgaria tours introduces a monument that not only stays proudly on a peak but also reminds the Bulgarians of their glorious past. This monument is Shipka Monument and it is a symbol of the Russo-Turkish War. It speaks of the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. (Istanbul religion tours) The war follows the April Uprising from April 1876. It broke out prematurely and was quickly put down. That, though, didn’t the least discourage the Bulgarians who were, against their will, part of the Ottoman Empire for 500 years. On the contrary, that increased their desire for independence. After the sultan refuses to implement a series of reforms in European Turkey, that were proposed to him, Russia declares a war to the Ottomans.
A hope reborn
That is a hope reborn for the Bulgarians. Stoletov Bulgaria tours, Stoletov Peak remembers the heroism of the Bulgarian and Russian people. Bulgarian volunteers were spies for the Russian fighting forces. They were interpreters, assistants, as well as builders of road army devices. Bulgarians also fought alongside the Russian army. They were part of the epic battle for Shipka Pass, as well. The battle at Shipka Pass, just like the pass itself, was very strategic and important. It was as well the scene of fierce fighting during that war, Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878).
”….. Our men have no bullets, with bravery girded,
Their bayonets broken, their breasts ever sturdy,
They’re all to a man ready gladly to die ……. Our men have no bullets, with bravery girded, Their bayonets broken, their breasts ever sturdy,
They’re all to a man ready gladly to die ……….. Each stone is a bomb and each tree-trunk a sword is. Each object – a blow, and each soul – flame that sears……….”
The man behind Shipka Monument
Stoletov Bulgaria tours doesn’t forget the man who feared no bad conditions on the peak. The man who was not an engineer but one of the few for the time that could read drawings. The man, Penyo Atanasov – Bombeto (bombe – bowler hat) is the one who gathered a team and built the monument, Shipka Monument. The entrance of the monument is guarded by a big, bronze and proud lion.
There are interesting stories related to the building of the monument. Firstly, the peak is a very cold place. One that hasn’t been on the peak doesn’t know how severe and cold the wind can be there, even in the summer. The construction of Shipka Monument took three years. People worked from early April until the end of October in the years 1928, 1929 and 1930. However, it officially opened in 1934. An amazing person was Penyo Bombeto. He was only 26 when he started building the monument on St Nikola Peak. Like all the others he was scared at first with the athmospheric conditions. The patriot in him, though, spoke. He only needed to remember all these soldiers and volunteers who gave their lives to liberate Bulgaria. The rest was not easy but bearable. And funny stories, of course. Once, a donkey ate all the builders’ bread and the drawing of the monument. Only the head of the lion stayed.
Stoletov Bulgaria tours
Love where you are going. Either private Sofia tours or Vitosha Bulgaria Private Tours, Bulgaria is here, awaiting you. Stoletov Peak with Shipka Monument on it facing Buzludzha in the distance can mean one thing. Bulgaria is a country full of surprises and a country an example of the extreme changes in its history. With us you can travel anywhere around Bulgaria and enjoy its history, culture, people… You only need to contact Us.
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