Bulgaria’s Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev and specialists presented here on Thursday plans for the restoration and conservation of the Monument to Freedom on Shipka Peak, including the scope of work, implementation stages and measures to preserve the monument’s authentic appearance.
The conservation and restoration works on the Shipka Monument, a significant national symbol, honoring the heroism and sacrifice of the Bulgarian volunteers who defended the Shipka Pass during the Russo-Turkish Liberation War of 1877–1878, were se to begin in early September. They will take 1,095 calendar days, or three construction seasons, said in August Chavdar Angelov, Director of the Shipka–Buzludzha National Park-Museum.
Built 100 years ago at an altitude of 1,330 metres, the 31.5-metre monument is exposed to severe weather conditions. Specialists said its main supporting structure and foundations remain stable, while the stone cladding and internal concrete have been damaged by moisture and thermal deformation.
Around 380 dolomite cladding blocks have already fallen and pose a safety risk, while another 400-500 are considered insufficiently attached and will require reinforcement with chemical anchors. About 8 km of joints between the stone blocks will also be replaced using specialised polymer mixtures. The project includes restoring natural ventilation through 34 openings that were part of the original design but were later sealed when the museum exhibition was created.
Officials said all original stone blocks removed during the work have been preserved. The project also includes improvements to lightning protection, fire detection, emergency notification and access control systems.
Restoration work at Shipka is seasonal and can be carried out only from May to mid-September. Miloshev said the project is expected to take three working seasons rather than three years, with work proceeding whenever weather conditions permit. Celebrations marking Bulgaria’s March 3 national holiday and the Shipka Epic will go ahead despite the restoration.
The museum exhibition inside the monument will also be renewed. Its main thematic structure will be retained, while greater emphasis will be placed on the Bulgarian volunteer forces and their role after the Liberation. The new exhibition will expand from five to eight main themes, with 20 sub-themes, while QR codes and digital displays will provide additional information where space is limited.
Key artefacts, including a replica of the Samara flag and Count Ignatiev’s seal, will remain on display. The Samara flag will be housed in a climate-controlled case allowing it to be viewed from both sides. Two Gatling guns used during the Russo-Turkish War at Pleven will be moved to the outdoor exhibition area.
Officials rejected speculation that artefacts had been lost or that the monument was being deliberately damaged or that the restoration had been timed to coincide with upcoming anniversaries. They said cultural heritage legislation provides strict safeguards for museum collections and that objects not currently on display can undergo conservation and restoration.
Miloshev said the restoration and exhibition work would be carried out publicly and transparently, with information on the project made available to the public. The government, he said, considers the preservation of national memory and cultural identity a priority.
The Liberty Memorial on Shipka Peak will look exactly the same after the renovation, which is why there are 1,000 pages of publicly available documentation, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said last Friday during parliamentary question time in response to a question from the Vazrazhdane parliamentary group about the renovation of the monument.
Vazrazhdane has consistently criticized the scale of the Shipka repairs, arguing that they are excessive and not warranted by the condition of the monument. The party has also warned that the contractor lacks the capacity required to carry out the work.
Culture Minister Miloshev Presents Restoration Details, Plans for Century-old Shipka Freedom Monument THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-08 12:39:00
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