On September 22 in 1908, Bulgaria formally declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in the city of Veliko Tarnovo. Until then, it had been an autonomous principality (since the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 and the Treaty of Berlin), but the declaration made it a fully sovereign kingdom under Tsar Ferdinand I.
The city of Ruse is a key Danube port city and played an important role in Bulgaria’s national revival and independence. Its central Monument of Liberty, designed by Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi and unveiled in 1909, has become one of the city’s symbols. The female figure at the top holds a sword and points toward the Danube River, representing Bulgaria’s freedom and its path toward Europe.
The monument honors the sacrifices of Bulgarians in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78), which ended Ottoman rule and paved the way for independence. Built just a year after Bulgaria’s formal declaration of independence in 1908, it stands as both a tribute to liberation and a symbol of the city’s European spirit.
In Bulgaria, September 22 (Independence Day) is an official public holiday, so schools, banks, and most offices are closed. Public transport in Ruse, however, was offered for free to both citizens and visitors, and I took advantage of that to have a little look around the city. I only took two short bus rides though, and walked most of the way. With Ruse’s many hills, some streets were quite a tough climb, especially for me, coming from a flat country and all. :D
So, once again, I went to one of my favorite locations: the scenic observation point in Ruse, allowing you to look over the city, across the Danube, into Romania!
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