DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Shipka Memorial Church

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
church
—°1
Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)

Weather…

The Shipka Memorial Church, officially known as the Temple-Monument of the Birth of Christ, was built between 1885 and 1902 to honor the Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers who fell during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. Located at the southern foot of the Shipka Pass in the Balkan Mountains, the church is a profound symbol of Bulgarian liberation. Designed by architect Anton Tomishko in the 17th-century Russian Orthodox style, it features striking golden domes and richly decorated facades. The bell tower reaches a height of 53 meters and houses 17 bells, the largest of which weighs 12 tons and was cast from captured Ottoman cannons. Inside, 34 marble plaques bear the names of the fallen regiments, while the crypt serves as an ossuary for the soldiers' remains. The church is celebrated for its intricate mosaics and bustling frescoes. Today, it remains one of the most iconic landmarks in the Balkan region, attracting pilgrims and history enthusiasts alike.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C0261116212424181271
Rain mm544451447475644354564358

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
The Shipka Memorial Church is open to visitors and features richly decorated interiors. The outdoor area with graves is also accessible.
🕒
Typical hours
The church is typically open during the day, though exact hours may vary by season. During services, entry may be restricted.
📷
Photography
Photography is allowed inside without flash. The golden iconostasis and dome are especially photogenic.
⏱️
Time needed
Visiting the church takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If you also want to see the surrounding park and memorial plaques, allow one hour.
➕
Combine with
The church is located right at Shipka Pass, so combine it with the nearby Freedom Monument. The town of Gabrovo with its open-air museum is also worth a detour.
🧭
Getting there
The church is easily reachable by car via the main road, with parking right at the pass. Buses also run from Gabrovo and Kazanlak.
💡
Insider tip
Visit the church early in the morning to avoid crowds. Dress modestly as it is an active place of worship.

Geography

Coordinates
42.74830, 25.33750

Facts

  • Built between 1885 and 1902
  • Bell tower stands 53 meters high
  • Houses 17 bells (the largest weighs 12 tons)
  • Bells were cast from captured Ottoman cannons
  • Dedicated to the fallen of the 1877-78 war
  • Designed in the 17th-century Russian Orthodox style

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Shipka Pass MemorialShipka Pass Memorial<1 km · NWExplore →
ShipkaShipka4 km · SExplore →
Shipka Pass BattlefieldShipka Pass Battlefield5 km · EExplore →
EtarEtar7 km · NExplore →
Koprinka DamKoprinka Dam13 km · SExplore →
Gabrovo Industrial CenterGabrovo Industrial Center14 km · NExplore →
Rose Valley of KazanlakRose Valley of Kazanlak15 km · SExplore →
BozhentsiBozhentsi16 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Shipka Memorial Church (1)

Shipka Memorial Church⛪ religious

A magnificent Russian Orthodox church with golden domes in Shipka.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How much is the entry to the Shipka Memorial Church?
Entry to the church is free, though donations are welcome.
Is photography allowed in the church?
Photography inside is usually prohibited or allowed only for a fee and without flash.
How many golden domes does the church have?
The church has a total of 17 gilded onion domes.
Are there parking spaces available?
Yes, there is a parking lot right in front of the entrance to the church grounds.
When are the religious services?
Services are mostly held on weekends and religious holidays in the morning.
Shipka Memorial Church: where is it located?
Shipka Memorial Church is located in Bulgaria.
Shipka Memorial Church: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
Shipka Memorial Church: why is it worth visiting?
The Shipka Memorial Church, officially known as the Temple-Monument of the Birth of Christ, was built between 1885 and 1902 to honor the Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers who fell during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Bulgaria →

Nearby cities

Banya (Stara Zagora) — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Banya (Stara Zagora)
Banya near Stara Zagora is a rural settlement in the Thracian Plain.
Ruse — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Ruse
Known as the 'Little Vienna' of Bulgaria, Ruse is a stunning city on the Danube characterized by Neo-Baroque architecture.
Pleven — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Pleven
Pleven is located in northern Bulgaria and is an important regional commercial hub.
Yambol — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Yambol
Yambol is located in southeastern Bulgaria on both banks of the Tundzha River.
Veliko Tarnovo Cultural Quarter — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Veliko Tarnovo Cultural Quarter
The historical center of Veliko Tarnovo displays the architecture and history of the national revival.
Batenberg (Veliko Tarnovo) — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Batenberg (Veliko Tarnovo)
Batenberg near Veliko Tarnovo is located in a historically significant region of northern Bulgaria.
Banya (Veliko Tarnovo) — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Banya (Veliko Tarnovo)
Banya near Veliko Tarnovo is a small rural place.
Batenberg (Pazardzhik 2) — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Batenberg (Pazardzhik 2)
Another small settlement Batenberg near Pazardzhik.
Batenberg (Pazardzhik) — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Batenberg (Pazardzhik)
Batenberg is a small town near Pazardzhik, embedded in the agriculturally used Thracian Plain.
Asenovgrad — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Asenovgrad
Asenovgrad is located at the foot of the Rhodope Mountains, south of Plovdiv.
Gabrovo — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Gabrovo
Gabrovo is located on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains and is a traditional center of the textile industry.
Kardzhali — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Kardzhali
Kardzhali is located in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria.
Yabulkovo — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Yabulkovo
Yabulkovo is a settlement in southern Bulgaria.
Targovishte — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Targovishte
Targovishte is a city in northeastern Bulgaria.
Banya (Veliko Tarnovo 2) — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Banya (Veliko Tarnovo 2)
Banya near Veliko Tarnovo is a small settlement.

History & landmarks

Arbanasi — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Arbanasi
A historic village on a high plateau, famous for its fortress-like stone houses and magnificently painted Orthodox churches.
Sopot — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Sopot
Sopot is nestled at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, famous as the birthplace of Ivan Vazov and Bulgaria's premier paragliding hub.
Troyan — Shipka Memorial Church (Bulgaria)
Troyan
Famous for the third-largest monastery in Bulgaria and its centuries-old tradition of handmade ceramics.