Tzar Liberator Monument, Sofia
The Monument to the Tsar Liberator stands proudly in the heart of Sofia. It was built to honor Russian Emperor Alexander II, who played a pivotal role in freeing Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.
This neoclassical memorial was crafted by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi, who emerged victorious in a competition that included 31 artists from 12 different countries, all vying for the opportunity at the end of the 19th century. The architectural planning of the monument involved the talents of Bulgarian architect Nikola Lazarov. Construction began on April 23, 1901, which coincided with Saint George's Day and saw the presence of Knyaz Ferdinand I of Bulgaria. The monument was eventually completed on September 15, 1903.
Constructed from polished black granite sourced from Vitosha, the Monument to the Tsar Liberator comprises a pedestal, a central section adorned with sculptures, and an imposing Neo-Renaissance cornice, culminating in a bronze statue of the Russian Tsar mounted on a horse. At the base of the monument, there is a bronze wreath, a gift from Romania, in memory of the Romanian soldiers who perished in the war.
The central bronze bas-relief shows Russian and Bulgarian soldiers led by the goddess of victory, surrounded by portraits of notable figures like Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich, Count Ignatiev, generals Joseph Vladimirovich Gourko, and Mikhail Skobelev. Other bas-reliefs depict scenes from the Battle of Stara Zagora, the Treaty of San Stefano signing, and the Constituent National Assembly opening in Veliko Tarnovo. It also includes portraits of key figures like Petko Slaveykov, Stoyan Zaimov, Ivan Vazov, Stefan Stambolov, and more.
This neoclassical memorial was crafted by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi, who emerged victorious in a competition that included 31 artists from 12 different countries, all vying for the opportunity at the end of the 19th century. The architectural planning of the monument involved the talents of Bulgarian architect Nikola Lazarov. Construction began on April 23, 1901, which coincided with Saint George's Day and saw the presence of Knyaz Ferdinand I of Bulgaria. The monument was eventually completed on September 15, 1903.
Constructed from polished black granite sourced from Vitosha, the Monument to the Tsar Liberator comprises a pedestal, a central section adorned with sculptures, and an imposing Neo-Renaissance cornice, culminating in a bronze statue of the Russian Tsar mounted on a horse. At the base of the monument, there is a bronze wreath, a gift from Romania, in memory of the Romanian soldiers who perished in the war.
The central bronze bas-relief shows Russian and Bulgarian soldiers led by the goddess of victory, surrounded by portraits of notable figures like Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich, Count Ignatiev, generals Joseph Vladimirovich Gourko, and Mikhail Skobelev. Other bas-reliefs depict scenes from the Battle of Stara Zagora, the Treaty of San Stefano signing, and the Constituent National Assembly opening in Veliko Tarnovo. It also includes portraits of key figures like Petko Slaveykov, Stoyan Zaimov, Ivan Vazov, Stefan Stambolov, and more.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sofia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Tzar Liberator Monument on Map
Sight Name: Tzar Liberator Monument
Sight Location: Sofia, Bulgaria (See walking tours in Sofia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Sofia, Bulgaria (See walking tours in Sofia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Sofia, Bulgaria
Create Your Own Walk in Sofia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sofia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sofia Introduction Walking Tour
"Ever growing, never aging" This is the motto of Sofia, capital city of Bulgaria. Under different names, the area of Sofia has had a 7,000 year history. Organized settlements around the area's hot water springs existed as early as the third millennium BC. A Thracian state union there was raided by Philip II of Macedon in 339 BC.
The Celtic Serdi provided the name... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The Celtic Serdi provided the name... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Communist Era Landmarks Walk
In the not-so-distant past Bulgaria was part of the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc. Today, this is one of the few countries where you can still find numerous relics of the Communist era manifested in monumental architectural landmarks. Concrete and metal were the main materials as a symbol of the industrialized nation, and the size was important too as a common architectural characteristic prescribed by... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.6 Km or 4.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.6 Km or 4.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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