Monument of Freedom, Saint Nicholas peak, Memorial in Bulgaria
The Monument of Freedom (Паметник на свободата) is a stone tower on Saint Nicholas peak in the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria. It stands over 100 feet (30 meters) tall and is topped by a large bronze lion.
In the summer of 1877, the peak was the site of fierce fighting when General Stoletov and his volunteers held a key pass against a much larger Ottoman force. The decision to build the monument came in 1920, driven by surviving veterans, and it was inaugurated in 1930.
The path to the peak is rocky and uneven in places, so sturdy footwear is a good idea, especially after rain. The inside of the tower can be visited and holds relics and battle flags from the 1877 war.
Inside the tower, a sarcophagus holds the bones of Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who died in 1877. The names of the main battle sites, including Shipka, Sheinovo, and Stara Zagora, are carved into the outer walls.
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