shipchenski monastery (st nikolay)

I have passed the Shipka Pass and been to the memorial numerous times but I never went to the Shipka Monastery. This time I went with my wife and son to see what was there under the golden domes which shone from afar. We didn't see any signs how to reach there but it wasn't difficult as the church (called the Church of Nativity) itself was our guide because it was visible from everywhere. It is simply awesome with ornate exterior and an interior covered with impressive murals. There is a crypt in the basement which houses the bones of Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who died in the battle for the Shipka Pass. It was built in Russian Orthodox style of the 17th century with money donated mainly by Russians, and some Bulgarian donations. It was designed by a Russian architect. There is a small shop in the church where you can buy icons or candles. You can also leave a small donation. A cemetery is situated uphill close by. Outside you will find another church shop and a cafe and down at the parking lot are several stalls selling souvenirs. The place is very serene and tranquility embraces you.Highly recommended!

When you come from the South and there is sunshine you will see the golden roof shining out of the green. It look really great. The chruch itself is well-preserved and y must-see when crossing the Shipka pass.

You first see this church from the valley below, the golden domes shine in the sunlight, then you drive up the hill a bit to reach the church. It started to hail the day I visited and it reminded one of the hardships that the military go through both today and in the past. This church was mainly build in the closing years of the 19th century to memorialize the fallen soldiers of both the Bulgarian and Russian military who fought in the Russian-Turkish Liberation War of 1877-1878. As you climb the stairs you notice style is of a Russian Orthodox Church complete with the golden onion domes of an earlier era. The wall paintings inside are in the icon style and there are some mosaics too. The paintings are bright and have been retouche in the 1950's. Interestingly this church was mainly funded and built by the Russians who owed it until 1934 when it was deeded to the Bulgarian people. On a better day, a walk around the building would be nice as there are many conifer trees in a parkland setting. There is a cemetary that is also open and worth a wander through. Small gift shop, but nothing in English. Russian and Bulgarian only.

A beautiful monastery and a wonderful visit! It is a very humbling experience to see such beauty located in the valley of the Thracian kings. It was built as a monument to the russian soldiers who died fighiting alongside the bulgarians in the 19th century. It is a wonderful testament to friendship and honor for the fallen soldiers who gave their lives fighting the Turkish. And with the mountains in the background, it makes for a wonderful photo oppurtunity!

The Shipka Monastery is set in beautiful, tree covered grounds on the hillside at the edge of the village.The building and serene grounds are very well maintained, with a small gift shop and café.There is a small cemetery on the hillside above the Monastery which contains some interesting headstones.If you visit in the afternoon around 5pm, you can hear the bell being played. Not very musically.The stunning gold domes of the church glisten in the sunlight and are visible for miles around.

The Shipchenski Monastery is set in beautiful grounds with trees and flowers and a great view. The gold domes of the monastery can be seen through the trees from the Town of Shipka. The inside is almost as beautiful as the outside decoration.

Check out the photos. They only shows a little of this amazing place. It was built to commemorate the Russian soldiers who died at Shipka defeating the Ottomans in 1878. So it is a Russian church wonderfully restored.

Absolutely beautiful, inside and out! No guides, but a young priest was very helpful in answering all our questions.

Yes, I went to visit Shipka and all information got from Tripadvisor were correct and useful.The area from Bulgaria we visit is extremely beautiful for the ones that like nature, big open green spaces , walks, peaceful places to relax. Is a mountain and hills area and two big valleys: one with roses plantation and the other where the Thracian kings tombs are located. Roads are very good. The road from Veliko Tarnovo towards Shipka that goes up and down over the mountain is in the shadow of green forest and from the top, looking to the valleys, the view is quite unique. You need a GPS with you because not always you find indications written in English. The Cirilc alphabet used in Bulgaria is unique and can`t be read and understood if you are not local. We stay at Hotel Shipka, a villa in fact, where we rent a one bedroom apartment, Nice, clean place with a great view over the valley that could be admired from our balcony. The owners, friendly and professional, spoke good English and gave us local touristic maps and advice what to visit. They have also a small restaurant where you can have dinner and a bottle of good local wine. The Saint Nikolay monastery is so much decorated that looks like a wedding cake covered with pink and white ornaments and in top with golden cupolas. Around it is a nice old trees park. We visit the Thracian kings tombs. Not all of them are open for public, but the ones opened are with tourist guiding, done by the persons that are also selling the tickets. Usually all places are with tickets of 6 Leva ( Bulgarian currency) by person and information is in English. Seuthes king tomb, Kazanlak tomb and history museum Iskra are nice places to visit. We visit also a very beautiful farm and museum of roses that was a dream of bright colors and smells.

The church is situated on a hill over the town Shipka, overlooking the valley below and right in the bosom of the mountain above. It makes an outstanding view when you come from the distance. Even in cloudy days the shiny golden domes and red colour of the building are easilyrecognizable. So even if you are not very sure about the way to the church, once you see it, just follow that direction. :-)Once there, you will clearly see the typical Russian style of it - both outside and inside. One can compare the similarities and differences between Bulgarian and Russian Orthodox styles. The inside is much more impressive even compared to the inside. The church is very well-maintaied and if you like, youcan leave even a small donation - as with any other church you will see in Bulgaria.I really wish you to manage to be there when the bells ring. I think they ring at 5 p.m. each day simiarly to my neighbourhood church. But the sound... It can't be compared to anything else and can't be described. One clearly understands why bells are used at churches. I really felt God's power..There is a church shop inside as with most churches, and you can buy candles, icons, blessed silver jewellery, etc. There is a restaurant outside as well as other shops and pavillions which offer church or Bulgaria related souvenirs.There is a WC in the park at the back side of the church, accessible by sairs. Fee is something like 0.50 leva (50 stotinki).One more thing - a few stairs connect the parking with the churh yard, so be prepared if you have walking difficulties. It is a short climb though, so it wouldn't be a big problem, I suppose.There's a postal box at the church yard, so in case you have some postcards to send, that's the place.

On january 4th we went up to the Shipka Monument and hitchhiked a ride down to Shipka village from the cafeteria area. The village was lovely, the food and coffee was great and not expensive. The church is on top of a small hill in the midst of trees so at first you only see the golden domes. Entry is free but taking pics in 3 lev i believe, however it is super dark inside so unless you got great equipment i wouldn't bother. I especially liked the paintings on the ceiling. Make sure to go downstairs to learn a bit more about the place.The buses back to Kazanlak leave once an hour at 30 mins past from a completely not marked spot, just walk down from the hill and keep walking to your left for about 5-7 mins, until you see a shop, a restaurant and a tiny bridge, the number 6 bus will stop somewhere there and bring you to Kazanlak bus station in 20-25 mins.

The Shipka Memorial Church or Shipka Monastery is an absolutely beautiful Bulgarian Orthodox church built near the town of Shipka in the mountain Stara Planina. The exterior of the church is an outstanding example of the seventeenth-century Muscovite architectural style. There is no admission fee for the church. If you are in the area, continue a few kilometers up to visit the Shipka Monument. The Shipka Monument or Memorial is on Stoletov Peak near Shipka Passs, reached by a flight of steps or a short road. The top of the tower of Shipka Monument (entrance fee is 1 EUR) reveals a scenic panorama of Shipka Peak and the Balkan Mountains.

the colours were amazing . it was fresh, clean and peaceful. It was so heart breaking to hear the history of it. it was located in a charming little village. must see, best church i have ever seen!!!

This is one of the most picturesque monasteries I have visited in Bulgaria. The architecture is in Russian 16-th Century style complete with gold onion domes - a real stunner when seen from the outside. The interior, and particularly the crypt is not as much as interesting in my opinion, but overall this is a worthwhile visit.Be warned that there are charges to use video or photo equipment inside the building, and even though there is supposed to be an entry fee, we were asked none, although donations are welcome.

A century old Orthodox chirch situated in the mountains of Stara Planina in Bulgaria, very beautiful and serene. The chirch recently was renovated, so all the colors are vibrant and shiny. Hidden in the tall pine trees.