Modern & monumentNorthern Bulgaria & the Danube

The Monument of Liberty in Ruse, the City's Symbol

The Monument of Liberty stands on Freedom Square in the centre of Ruse, in northern Bulgaria. Designed by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi, it is a pyramid crowned by a woman with a sword, with two bronze lions at the base. It became one of the city's symbols and appears on its coat of arms, so it is the natural first stop on a walk through Ruse.

Nobody is quite sure in which year this monument was opened: 1906, 1908 and 1909 have all been suggested. Only the day, 11 August, is agreed by every source.

WhereFreedom Square in the centre of Ruse, northern Bulgaria

TypeMemorial to the revolutionaries and volunteers of the Liberation, early 20th century

Best forLovers of sculpture and history, and anyone strolling through the old centre of Ruse

Getting thereIn the heart of the city; no special access is needed, as it stands in a public square

The history of the Monument of Liberty

The idea is older than the monument you see today. A foundation stone was laid in 1890 in the Youth Park, where Metropolitan Grigoriy inaugurated it in the presence of Prince Ferdinand I. Five years later the municipality and the organisation of the resistance heroes decided to move the site to the city garden, a former Turkish cemetery that had been turned into the new central square. At that time the garden had an iron fence and was locked at night. The square was first named Knyaz Boris, after the recently born heir to the throne.

At the end of 1895 a contract was signed with Stoycho Raychev Kefsizov, a local entrepreneur and former revolutionary, to build the monument for 65,000 leva. Despite his energy and devotion the money did not suffice: the cost rose to 150,000 leva, and the remainder had to be collected as voluntary donations at evening balls all over Bulgaria. The Simeonov brothers, Ivan and Stefan, famous innovative bankers, gave a decisive 50,000 leva.

The first design, by the architect Simeon Zlatev, placed a statue of the Tsar Liberator, Alexander II of Russia, on top, with two armed revolutionaries at the base. In 1907 the people of Ruse decided to replace the tsar with a woman symbolising freedom, so that the monument would not resemble the Monument to the Tsar Liberator in Sofia, opened in the same year and also the work of Arnoldo Zocchi. Bulgarian Wikipedia adds that the monument was designed by Zocchi but executed by Georgi Kiselinchev.

Even the opening year is uncertain. Dates of 1906, 1908 and 1909 have been proposed, based on labels, photographs and an encyclopedia of fine arts, yet all sources give 11 August. A booklet on the revolutionaries' monument in Ruse claims to prove 1909, the year Bulgarian Wikipedia also gives. Ferdinand, by then re-titled tsar, was asked to fix the day but did not reply, so 11 August was chosen as the climax date of the Battle of Shipka. The ceremony began three days earlier and drew former revolutionaries from other cities, including Rayna Knyaginya, as well as the prime minister Aleksandar Malinov, ministers, generals, religious leaders and the Russian consul. Ferdinand sent only a representative, possibly because of the difficult relations between Russia and the throne.

The square then changed its name with the political climate: Botev Square once the monument was finished, Lenin Square after the communists came to power on 9 September 1944, and finally Freedom Square. After 1944 Ruse remained the only larger Bulgarian city whose biggest monument and symbol was not Soviet.

Curious facts about the Monument of Liberty

One of the two bronze lions at the base tears the chains of the yoke with its teeth, while the other defends the Shield of Freedom.
The woman on top holds a sword in her left hand and points with her right hand north-west, towards the free peoples of Europe that Bulgaria wished to join after the recognition of 1908.
After 1944 a narrative spread that the statue's right hand was designed to point east, towards the “brother liberators”, which is a later reading of the same gesture.
The square where it stands was once a Turkish cemetery, later turned into the city garden with an iron fence that was locked at night.
The first plan put the Tsar Liberator on top; the figure of a woman replaced him in 1907 so that Ruse would not copy the Sofia monument by the same sculptor.
The date of 11 August was picked because it was the climax of the Battle of Shipka, after the tsar failed to answer when asked to choose a day.

Tours near Monument of Liberty

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

The Ultimate Day Trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest

★ 4.1 (13 reviews) · 11 h

See details ›

Self-Guided Ruse from Bucharest Tour

★ 3.7 (6 reviews) · 4 h

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Ruse Exquisite Wine Tasting

★ 3.7 (3 reviews) · 2 h

See details ›

Self-Guided Ruse Sights & Attractions

★ 4.5 (2 reviews) · 4 h

See details ›

Visiting the Monument of Liberty in Ruse

The monument stands in an open public square in the city centre, so it can be seen at any time of day from every side.
Look for the bronze lions at the base, the relief scenes of resistance on the pedestal and the two cannons placed at the back.
The main inscription dedicates the monument to the revolutionaries and volunteers who took part in the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1876–1877.
Other places of the area: the Rousse TV Tower is about 3 km away, Basarbovo Monastery about 9 km, and the fortress town of Cherven about 26 km.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Monument of Liberty is

Photos of Monument of Liberty

Questions

What is the Monument of Liberty in Ruse?

It is a pyramidal monument on Freedom Square in Ruse, topped by a female figure with a sword and guarded by two bronze lions. It honours the revolutionaries and volunteers of the Liberation and is part of the city's coat of arms.

Who designed the Monument of Liberty?

It was designed by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi at the start of the 20th century. According to Bulgarian Wikipedia it was executed by Georgi Kiselinchev.

When was the Monument of Liberty opened?

The exact year is disputed: 1906, 1908 and 1909 have been suggested. All sources agree on 11 August, and a booklet on the monument claims to prove 1909.

What does the statue on top represent?

A woman symbolising freedom, with a sword in her left hand and her right hand pointing north-west towards the free peoples of Europe. In the first design a statue of Tsar Alexander II was planned instead.

Where is the Monument of Liberty in Ruse?

It stands on Freedom Square in the centre of Ruse. The square has also been called Knyaz Boris, Botev and Lenin Square in the past.

What can be visited near the Monument of Liberty?

Within the area covered by this guide are the Rousse TV Tower, about 3 km away, Basarbovo Monastery, about 9 km, and Cherven, about 26 km.