Shipka Monument
Shipka Monument
4.5
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4.5
174 reviews
Excellent
129
Very good
31
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
1
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Bill S
Grand Rapids, MN245 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
You can take the steps from the highway (yeah, right…) or drive up to it. There are monuments everywhere in Bulgaria, to every meaningful person to live and to every event that has occurred. It’s okay, but there are so many that they can lose significance. That can happen here, but it’s in a beautiful location and is above average in significance. A nice stroll if you need a break from driving and want to learn something.
Written 8 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buse Burçoğlu
Izmir, Türkiye102 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
It’s truly a place worth visiting. Experiencing a country’s history is truly worth it. Don’t take it too seriously. The monument is worth seeing alongside the view. I’d even say don’t go back until you’ve entered the monument and checked out the museum.
Automatically translated
Written 21 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stanimir
Gabrovo, Bulgaria15 contributions
Sept 2018 • Family
Wonderful view of the tower in all directions. Every year I visit the Shipka Pass at official and solemn feasts. Anyone who has not gone can visit it and learn about history many years ago. You can take pictures to keep you in the memory of the place you are visiting. It's nice to walk when it's sunny weather to visit all the places there.
Written 28 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Вероника
Pernik, Bulgaria24 contributions
May 2019 • Family
This monument is unique. It shows the courage and sacrifice of the Bulgarian soldiers who have fought for the freedom of their people from Turkish slavery. From the top of the monument there is a breathtaking breathtaking view ...
Written 29 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Catling
Swanwick, UK126 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We arrived by car via a small collection of cafes and shops this is the start if you want to climb the hundreds of steps to the tower it’s about 1.5km. But you can park closer to the top in a free car park so follow the signs up to the top area. Once you reach the car park there is some steps going up to the tower and on the way up there are some great cravings on the walls. Once on the top you get a breath taking 360 view of the mountains and there is lots military equipment to view and the small museum inside the tower gives you an idea to the events that happen up there. You can read the sign board which are also printed in English. It cost 3Lev Bulgaria money which was about £1.50 to enter the tower and museum. You go up a number of small tight stairs to the top viewing point, Wow and well worth the climb. Some great views from up there on top of the world.
Written 21 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnmR5726OU
Brunswick, ME26 contributions
Jun 2016
The Shipka Memorial commemorates the victory of an out numbered Bulgarian force over the superior equipped Ottoman forces. In the US we would liken it to the battle at Gettysburg, a 3 day battle with the Bulgarian volunteers withstanding attacks, bending but not breaking. The view from the monument overlooks the Valley of Kings, absolutely beautiful. The museum exhibits inside the Memorial are excellent.
Written 25 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiril K
8 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
The monument, the nearby mountains, the winding road that goes up and down Shipka pass, the history of the battle there and the traces visible, such as cannons and trenches, these are all worth a full day and more of walks, photos, and immersion in the atmosphere of the historical complex of Shipka at St Nicolas peak.
The monument is a 20 or so minute drive up from Shipka village at the bottom of the central Balkan mountain (or the town of Gabrovo on the north side; from where one can even take a 20 leva taxi ride to the top), 1 hour from Karlovo and even less from Kazanluk. There are regular bus services that are rather cheap to both Gabrovo and Kazanluk. There are also a couple of nice hotels and restaurants (fairly basic in terms of service, but the food is good) at the top. The only rather annoying part is the tacky stalls that sell cheap touristy gifts. One can, however, grab some good honey or jam from there, ignoring the plastic nationalistic gifts.
At the top of the pass there is a convenient parking (this is also where the bus stops) and it is worth stopping there and heading on foot up the 700 odd stairs to the peak proper. The view from the monument is immense, both valleys to the south and north are visible and one gets the feeling of an eagle standing on top of the tower with the spectacular view and the brisk wind.
A must visit if in Bulgaria. Better in the summer with regards to ease of access, but rather impressive and melancholic in the winter. Simply splendid.
The monument is a 20 or so minute drive up from Shipka village at the bottom of the central Balkan mountain (or the town of Gabrovo on the north side; from where one can even take a 20 leva taxi ride to the top), 1 hour from Karlovo and even less from Kazanluk. There are regular bus services that are rather cheap to both Gabrovo and Kazanluk. There are also a couple of nice hotels and restaurants (fairly basic in terms of service, but the food is good) at the top. The only rather annoying part is the tacky stalls that sell cheap touristy gifts. One can, however, grab some good honey or jam from there, ignoring the plastic nationalistic gifts.
At the top of the pass there is a convenient parking (this is also where the bus stops) and it is worth stopping there and heading on foot up the 700 odd stairs to the peak proper. The view from the monument is immense, both valleys to the south and north are visible and one gets the feeling of an eagle standing on top of the tower with the spectacular view and the brisk wind.
A must visit if in Bulgaria. Better in the summer with regards to ease of access, but rather impressive and melancholic in the winter. Simply splendid.
Written 22 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ju1es
Antwerp, Belgium22 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
One of the most adventurous monuments to visit during winter. Visibility was non-existent and we nearly froze to death. A man came to our rescue and let us enter the monument. There was a nice, little museum inside and we could even go to the top of the tower. There was also a cute souvenir shop with the friendliest of people.
Written 10 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dessislava B
Sofia, Bulgaria69 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Everyone should go there at least ones in the life. The steps can be a challenge for some people. The views are amazing. The perfect time to visit it is in the summer, because in winter the road is very snowy.
Written 12 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fish_EDI
Edinburgh, UK264 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
We trekked up to the top of the mountain in knee deep snow in order to see this monument. While on our way up it got a bit cloudy and we feared we may not see anything at all, and in deed right up to the top we saw barely anything. All of a sudden, the clouds cleared and we were treated to the awesome sight of the monument towering above us, caked in windswept ice and snow, for about 2 minutes before the mist rolled in again and we had to head back down. Visit in summer for the views and a nice walk, but in winter (as long as it's safe to do so) go up for a truly unique experience!
Written 26 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Как добраться до Шипки? Я читаю о том, что есть автобусы, но не вижу их в расписаниях Велико Тырново, Казанлыка или Габрово. Как их найти, когда идут?
Written 22 September 2019
Regarding the drive up to the monument....just wondering if the roads are very winding and steep going up there, as I hate heights;-)))
Written 31 May 2017
dont worry.the road is a little winding so you have to drive carefully especially down the hill. but nothing dangerous.
Written 1 June 2017
If you are flying in from abroad, the best way to reach Shipka peak and the memorial complex is either by car (take the Balkan route, exiting Sofia to the east, via Pirdop, Karlovo, Kazanluk, then left turn up towards Shipka pass, about 3hs 3h 30m if you drive carefully) or by bus (from Sofia central bus station take a bus to Gabrovo, which is faster, or Kazanluk, and then another bus or a tax - which is no more than 20 leva/10 euros, up to the pass), The website:
- Sofia bus stationyou need to google centralna avto gara Sofia
- and buses schedule you need to goodle bgrazpisanie
Definitely worth the trip!
Written 16 April 2017
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