Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

147 years since the liberation of Sofia

Photo: BTA

The fighting for Sofia within the framework of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) began on December 25, 1877. On January 3, 1878, the city's commandant Osman Nuri Pasha began to withdraw from Sofia. 

His plans to set the city on fire were thwarted with the help of the foreign diplomats who remained in the city - the French consul Leandre le Gay and the Italian consul - Vittorio Positano. 

Leandre le Gay and Vittorio Positano
Russian troops under the command of Gen. Yosif Gurko entered the city on January 4, 1878. The Russian troops were welcomed by the Sofia citizens at Koru Cheshme Square (today's St. Nedelya Square), recalls the Regional History Museum - Sofia. 
On the occasion of the anniversary, today at 12:00 in Northern Park (entrance from the Svoboda residential area, Narodni Buditeli Street) in Sofia, the historical reenactment "The Liberation of Sofia" will be held, the Sofia Municipality announced.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian Minister of Justice in Athos: The Zograf Monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgarian spirituality

A Bulgarian delegation, led by Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev, attended the enthronement of Archimandrite Gavriil as abbot of the Zograf Monastery in Mount Athos. Hieromonk Gavriil elected new abbot of Zograf Monastery “This is a..

published on 5/11/25 2:25 PM
Българска Патриаршия

The Bulgarian Patriarchate celebrates 72 years since its restoration

On 10 May we mark 72 years since the restoration of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, whose existence ended at the end of the 14th century when Bulgaria fell under five centuries of Ottoman rule. Efforts to restore it began in the Renaissance. In 1870 the..

published on 5/10/25 10:44 AM

Bulgaria's oldest icon depicts St George and St Demetrius

In popular belief, St George is the younger twin brother of St Demetrius . Ethnographers describe them as Christianised images of mythical heroes - strong, agile and swift. They are victorious, leaping over mountains and seas, releasing the waters,..

published on 5/6/25 7:05 AM