Shipka Freedom Monument to close for three-year restoration

The Shipka Freedom Monument will be closed to visitors for a major conservation and restoration project lasting approximately three years. According to Dr. Chavdar Angelov, director of the Shipka-Buzludzha National Park-Museum, the construction works are expected to take 642 calendar days.

Due to extreme weather conditions in the Shipka Pass region, work will be scheduled between April 1 and October 31 over three consecutive years to ensure safety and optimal working conditions. The primary focus of the restoration is to address moisture penetration affecting the monument's facades and interior spaces.

Key technical tasks include re-pointing the joints between facade blocks, removing old insulation and plaster to reveal the authentic stone construction, and restoring lead coverings. The project also includes renovating the staircase leading to the northern entrance, restoring the ossuary and northern entrance doors, and installing a dedicated generator to ensure continuous power for all systems.

During the renovation, the current permanent exhibition will be moved to the museum's storage. Once the monument reopens, a new permanent exhibition titled ‘Shipka Epic’ will be introduced, featuring enriched information, new displays, and digital elements such as QR codes.