Shipka (town)

This article is about a town in Bulgaria. For other definitions, see Shipka.

Shipka Шипка
File:Shipka Memorial Church (by Pudelek).jpg The Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ
Shipka Location of Shipka (town)
Coordinates:
Country	Bulgaria
Provinces (Oblast)	Stara Zagora
Government
• Mayor	Stoyan Ivanov
Elevation	650 m (2,130 ft)
Population (2005)
• Total	1,398
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal Code	6150
Area code(s)	04324
License plate	CT

Shipka (Bulgarian: Шипка, "Rosa canina") is a town in central Bulgaria, part of Kazanlak Municipality, Stara Zagora Province. It lies in the Central Balkan Mountains, at , 650 metres above sea level. As of 2005, Shipka has a population of 1,398 and the mayor is Stoyan Ivanov.

The town is known for being located near the historic Shipka Pass, the location of several key battles in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Local sights include the Shipka Memorial (1934) on Stoletov Peak, the Buzludzha Monument, the Russian-style Shipka Memorial Church (1885–1902) and the recently discovered Thracian tomb Golyamata Kosmatka.

The population is overwhelmingly Eastern Orthodox and ethnically Bulgarian, with a notable minority of Karakachans (a Greek-speaking transhumant people of obscure origin).

Shipka Pass

Main article: Shipka Pass

Shipka Pass (Bulgarian: Шипченски проход, Shipchenski prohod) (el. 1150 m./3820 ft.) is 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from the town, and connects the town with Gabrovo.

During the Russo-Turkish War, Shipka Pass was the scene of a series of conflicts collectively named the Battle of Shipka Pass.

The Shipka Memorial (Bulgarian: паметник „Шипка“), a memorial to those who died for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Battles of Shipka Pass, stands near the pass.

Notable buildings

• Shipka Memorial Church

External links

• Shipka – The Pass, Monument, Village and Monastery