Veliko Tarnovo & Shipka
22 July 2003
To break up their long summer, and to provide a fun an educational excursion for six of our eldest Dupnitza children, OSI arranged an excursion to historical Veliko Tarnovo and Shipka Pass in central Bulgaria. It was a long, hot day as we departed Dupnitza at 6:00am and returned after midnight, after traveling more than 700km. But the kids didn't complain and had a great and memorable time!
Veliko Tarnovo
From 1185-1393, The Citadel at Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Tsardom. It is one of the most important historical sites in Bulgaria. The city itself is very picturesque and pleasant, nestled on a river in the rugged foothills.
Shipka
Shipka Pass, a steep climb into the mountains from Veliko Tarnovo, is where, in August 1877, Russian and Bulgarian troops defeated the Turkish troops in the defining battle of Bulgaria's liberation from Turkish rule. The monument itself is giant and impressive, with hundreds of granite steps leading up to it from the pass below. The location is splendid, atop a barren mountain top, with fantastic views of the Valley of the Roses below.
