Battle of Shipka Pass 1877-1878

During our holiday in Bulgaria we visited the famous battle-site of Shipka Pass. 

It was on these strategically important hills that during the Russo-Turkish War four battles were fought between the Russian Empire aided by Bulgarian nationalists and the Ottoman Empire. 
Because of the bravery and tenacity shown by the Bulgarian volunteers, the battlefield is an icon of Bulgarian patriotic pride. 

The  Freedom Monument at the top of the Mt Stoletov(1362m).

The battlefield itself has lots of things to see and gives off a very authentic vibe.

Feel free to read the history surrounding the battle or continue directly to what the battlefield has to offer today.

A)The road to War

The Russian Empire wanted to exploit the decline of the Ottoman Empire, however they feared that without a good casus belli European powers would aid the Ottomans like they did during the Crimean War.

An opportunity for Russia arose in 1875 when the Ottomans brutally suppressed a revolt of Bulgarian Christians, killing around 30,000 civilians. This not only gave Russia a reason to declare war on the Ottomans but also assured that due to negative public opinion no Christian nation would fight alongside the Ottomans. 
The stage what set for a Russian-Ottoman confrontation.

Monument to the Russian Tsar Alexander II.

B)The Four Battles

After crossing the Danube in July 1877, Russian Major General Gourko was ordered to secure the Shipka Pass with some 16,000 troops. 

The Shipka Pass was strategically important because it was the best route to   Adrianople(Edirne) and Constantinople(Istanbul).

The position of Shipka Pass(red) in today Bulgaria.

The Shipka Pass was defended by an Ottoman garrison of around 5,000 men under the command of Suleiman Pasha. After about two weeks of fighting the Ottomans retreated, leaving the fort for the Russians under Gourko. This would later be known as the first battle of Shipka Pass.

Because the main Russian army was occupied at Plevna the army at Shipka dug themselves in for possible incoming Ottoman assaults, they would not be disappointed.

Suleiman Pasha was determined to regain the lost Shipka Pass and assembled an army numbering between 30,000 and 40,000 men, the 4,400 Russian and Bulgarian defenders were in for a fight. On 21 August 1877 the Ottomans launched a frontal assault on the pass but were unsuccessful.

Notice the guns and the stone blocks that indicate the positions held by the defenders.

For five days the Ottomans launched assault after assault but were repulsed by the tenacious defenders. It is said that when the defenders ammunition ran out, they hurled stones on the Ottoman attackers in a desperate attempt to defend their position.

Since the Ottomans were infamous for their medieval treatment of prisoners and wounded the Russians would fight till the last man. This would be even more so for the Bulgarians who were considered rebels by the Ottomans and would not have to expect any mercy.

Desperate defending of the so called "Eagle's Nest", the summit of Mt Stoletov.

When on 23 August 1877 Russian reinforcements finally arrived, the defenders were on the verge of collapse. The Ottomans retreated on 25 August losing some 10,000 men. 

The Russian & Bulgarian defenders had lost 3,640. The exhausted defenders had won the second battle of Shipka Pass against overwhelming odds, but at an enormous cost.

On September 13th 1877 Suleiman Pasha made a second attempt to retake the Shipka Pass. The main Russian Army was still occupied at the Siege Plevna and were unable to provide many reinforcements. 

The Ottomans started the attack by using siege mortars to bombard the Russian defenses. After three days of bombardment the Ottomans launched a surprise attack in the morning of 17 September. A picked elite force of 3,500 Ottoman infantry was to climb up the hills and catch the defenders off guard. 

The Ottomans succeeded in capturing the summit but received no reinforcements from the rest of the army. The Russians were able to launch a counter-attack. 

After ferocious bayonet fighting the Ottomans were driven back, their death and wounded hurled over the edge. So ended the third Battle of Shipka Pass resulting in some 3,000 Ottoman casualties.

This would be the last time the Ottomans attacked Shipka Pass, however the defenders were about to meet a new enemy: the Bulgarian winter.

The extreme weather conditions would decimate the defenders, soldiers froze to death and disease was rampant.

However on the 5th of January 1878 the Russians decided to take the initiative despite the deep snow and freezing temperatures. The Russians under Gurko surrounded the Ottoman forces under Veissel Pasha at Sheynovo. The Ottomans surrendered and 33,000 were taken captive. This would conclude the battles fought at Shipka Pass.

C)The Battlefield today

Driving from Shipka village follow some 12km of winding roads until you reach the 1,000 steps that lead to the summit of Mt Stoletov. 

If you don’t feel like doing 1000 steps you can continue to follow the road by car until your almost at the summit. The peak of the Mt Stoletov is dominated by the 32m-high Freedom Monument. This impressive monument was build to commemorate the Russian & Bulgarian soldiers who died during the Battle of Shipka Pass. 
No love for the Turkish soldiers it would seem, maybe because of the 300-year long Ottoman repression, who knows.

The 1000-stair climb to the summit of Mt Stoletov

The Freedom Monument

Inside the Freedom Monument climb the stairs, here you will find a small museum display about the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. You can climb tot the top of the monument where you have a great view of the Pass and it’s surroundings. 

Inside the Freedom Monument, notice a copy of the Samara Standard on the wall.

Take your time exploring the area, there are many monuments scattered around the Summit of Mt Stoletov. You can also see the location of some of the defensive positions indicated by stone blocks and artillery. Definitely worth a visit if your in the area!