This is the Memorial at Shipka Pass. It is located on Stara Planina Mountain, Stoletov Peak to be exact, in the Balkan Mountain range. In 1877, this was the site of several fierce battles between the Russian and Ottoman Empires over Bulgaria's independence. At one point, 7500 Russian and Bulgarian soldiers held their ground against almost 40,000 Ottoman troops.
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When we arrived at the memorial, the access road to the top was closed for the day so we needed to take the stairs. We couldn't even see the top of the mountain from our vantage point so we were hesitant to proceed. We got over ourselves and trekked onward.
The fall colors in the forest were so incredibly beautiful; an excellent distraction from the journey up the steps.
The birch trees were in the minority and provided such a lovely contrast.
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I've done a little research and I was unable to identify this tree which was dominant in the area. Does anyone know the species? Their leaves were a brilliant orange if that helps. Anyhow, this particular tree looked like it wanted to give us a hug. :)
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Glory hallelujah! It was our first sighting of our final destination!!!
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These sculptures greet you at the top of the 850 (my estimation) steps.
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The memorial was dedicated in 1934 and was a collaboration between architect, Atanas Donkov, and sculptor, Aleksandar Andreev. The stone tower is 98 feet tall adorned with a 13 ft. bronze lion (the national symbol of Bulgaria). On the first floor, you will find a sarcophagus containing the remains of some of the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who fought so valiantly. The remaining floors contain military memorabilia with a viewing platform at the top.
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My friend and I were the only people up here...so quiet and peaceful. It was difficult for me to imagine what it was like while the battles were raging.
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I was truly moved.
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This outcropping of rocks was very different than anything else on the peak. As the sun was getting low, the colors grew more warm and brilliant by the minute. The cross, another memorial marker, displays both the Bulgarian and Russian flags.
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It was time to begin our descent but the layers of color in the mountains and the sky were so magnificent, it made it hard to leave.
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A perfect ending to a most meaningful day.
Want to see more from my travels around Bulgaria? Check out my previous posts:
https://steemit.com/colourfulphotography/@samanthajbarnes/shipka-memorial-church-shipka-bulgaria
https://steemit.com/travel/@samanthajbarnes/a-look-inside-shipka-memorial-church-shipka-bulgaria
Some photos previously posted at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008940904112
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"Glory hallelujah!" I love that part :D Imagined you climbing. This really warmed my heart <3 All the love, upvote, resteem and share!
It sincerely warms my heart that this post warmed your heart! Getting such positive feedback from my BG friends is very meaningful to me. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!
I can imagine not wanting to leave, I wouldn't either!
I'm glad my photos made you feel that way too! Thanks for your comment!
i have chills starring at the pictures... and found the ending perfect! the sunset its lovely @samanthajbarnes
How cool is that! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your wonderful comment!
Interesting reportage, thanks for showing me around 8-).
Thanks for taking the time for the tour and also for the comment!
nice one, the view is amazing what a wonderful place for excursion
Thank you! The panoramic view and the perfect time of day with the sun setting made for an excellent outing.
Momentous occasion. Thanks for reminding me I must visit!
You're welcome and I agree...a must visit! Buzludzha is right across the way, you might as well go there too. I would love to tag along!!!
My best guess of the hugging tree is a European Hornbeam :)
The hugging tree :D Thanks for going to effort to find that information. What an interesting name...Hornbeam.
Hornbeam wood has been used since ancient times. It was primarily made into rigging timbers for assembling teams of oxen and other livestock to pull wagons or plows. Very widespread worldwide and found across most of the Northern Hemisphere. It also makes a great bonsai :D
You are a treasure trove of information! Thank you again!!!
wow you put a lot of effort in your photos. i like the ones of the forest the most. really cool :)
I was on such a wonderful adventure so it is well worth my effort to tell the stories. The forest was quite magical. Thank you for your comment!
Amazing place !! One of the beautiful places in Bulgaria ! Respect :)) Upvoted!
It really is an amazing place. Have you been there?
By the way, I saw a post of yours that was featured on the Whaleshares live chat the other night. Nice job! @gabchik is great, isn't she? She featured my post too!
The tree you were wanting to identify, looks like a beech to me.
Thank you so much for the information and also for digging into the archives. How in the world did you find this post?
Some one resteemed your post, I forget who. I'm curious about Eastern Europe, which is so neglected from the skewed Western Perspective.
Great! I am back posting about my Bulgaria trip if you want to see more. I'm currently in the middle of a series on Belogradchik.
My friends marvel that I keep returning to BG and can't believe I travel alone. They think it's so remote and exotic and wonder if I am ever scared. I reassure them that not everyone is a terrorist, there aren't evil Russians hiding in all the bushes and most people really do want to help you get where you need to go. ;) Yes, I agree, Eastern Europe is quite a mystery to most people I know.
Sadly it is the Western hype... one that has existed as far back as when the Roman empire split between Rome and Constantinople.