Russian Monument, War memorial in central Sofia, Bulgaria
The Russian Monument is a four-sided obelisk, a truncated pyramid rising from a pedestal of three steps. Its eastern face carries a marble relief of the Russian state coat of arms and the Order of St. George, with an inscription naming Alexander II and 19 February 1878; the western face holds a second inscribed plate reading "Not to us, not to us, but to your name. 1877–1878".
The memorial was built in 1882 as the first monument in the newly liberated Principality of Bulgaria. It was erected to honor Russian soldiers who fought during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.
The monument displays the Russian coat of arms alongside the Order of St. George, with inscriptions honoring Tsar Alexander II of Russia. The reliefs and symbols visible on its surface tell the story of Russia's role in this region's independence.
The memorial stands at a central junction where Skobelev and Totleben boulevards meet and is easily reached on foot. Wheelchair access is limited due to its location amid traffic, so visitors with mobility challenges should exercise caution.
The site marks the exact location where Ottoman commander Osman Nuri Pasha retreated from Sofia to Pernik in December 1877. This historical detail connects the physical location to a decisive moment in the region's military history.
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