142 years ago, on the 3rd of March of 1878, the signing of the Treaty of San Stéfano forced the Ottoman Empire to return to Bulgaria the sovereignty that had been taken away from it, after 500 years of oppression. This agreement took place after a coalition of soldiers, mostly Russians and Bulgarians, put an end to the Russian-Turkish war with an epic battle at Shipka Pass, in which they won while still in a numerical minority.

That is why, to commemorate such an event, thousands of proud Bulgarians visit the Shipka Monument or Monument to Freedom every March 3, located on top of the “Stara Planina” mountain. It was built in 1934 thanks to voluntary donations from the people. There the annual celebration of this national holiday takes place every year, during which visitors, flag in hand, place flowers at the foot of the monument.

Although this 142 anniversary of the official celebration was canceled, as a preventive measure to avoid possible infections by the new coronavirus, this not prevented the pilgrimage to the monument of hundreds of Bulgarians and not so, as is my case.

Starting from Shipka Cathedral (what a monument too!), you climb through the forest to the top of the mountain. A path of about two hours that, although it becomes hard at the beginning because the difference in height is noticeable, it becomes pleasant to find Bulgarian families and groups of friends along the way, many of them playing traditional songs on their mobile phones.

Anyway, tiredness is forgotten when you reach the monument, impressive if you look at it while thinking what happened there so many years ago. And definitely, you realize that it was worth it when you enjoy the incredible views offered by the mountain, at 1326 meters of altitude.

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Marta Valverde.