Monument “Mother Bulgaria”
In the center of Veliko Tarnovo stands the monument “Mother Bulgaria”, which was erected in honor of the victims of the Russian-Turkish, Serbo-Bulgarian, First and Second Balkan Wars, as well as the First World War.
The monument is considered to be the exact center of the city. It is located directly opposite the Municipality building, near the impressive monument dedicated to the brothers from the Asenevtsi family. Thus, with one walk you can visit several historical landmarks of our old capital.
Monument “Mother Bulgaria” was unveiled on May 6, 1935, thanks entirely to the funds provided by the residents of Veliko Tarnovo, and was initially known as the “Monument of Victory”.
The monument is made of marble and bronze with a height of 18.5 meters. Its structure is on three levels: a base with an ossuary and leading stairs, four bronze figures of soldiers and officers, and on top is a kneeling woman with a crown on her head and a flag in her hand.
The author of the monument is the sculptor Svetoslav Yotsov, and the talented Bulgarian architect Tenyo Ibushev is involved in the implementation of the idea. The metal fence around the monument is the work of Leon Filipov, and the picturesque garden with plants such as mimosa, redwood, California cedar and other exotic flowers is designed by Anton Jan Novak, who built the Old City Garden and the Sea Garden in Varna.
The beautiful garden around the monument has many benches where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the old capital city. The place has a special atmosphere and is suitable for beautiful landscape photos.
During the time of socialism in Bulgaria, the crown on the head of Mother Bulgaria was removed because it was considered a symbol of the monarchy. After 1989 it was found that the crown was still preserved and placed again on the head of the kneeling woman.
Since 2000, an eternal fire has been burning in the ossuary of the monument in honor of the Bulgarians and citizens of Tarnovo who died for the liberation of Bulgaria.
