It was the first monument built in the newly liberated capital of Bulgaria.
The monument was funded through voluntary contributions from Russian citizens and soldiers.
It is officially titled the 'Monument to the Russian Soldiers'.
The obelisk features inscriptions in Old Church Slavonic reflecting the gratitude of the Bulgarian people.
The surrounding park is officially recognized as a protected historical site in Sofia.
The Russian Monument is the oldest monument in Sofia erected after the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Located at the intersection of Macedonia Boulevard and Totleben Boulevard, it serves as a central hub for the city's urban layout. The monument consists of a granite obelisk designed by architect V.I. Iosifov, inaugurated in 1882. It commemorates the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. The site is situated within a circular garden that functions as a small green refuge in the city center. The structure features reliefs depicting Russian imperial emblems and scenes from the war. Recent renovations in 2015 restored the original masonry and landscaping of the surrounding traffic circle.
From the pedestrian island at the edge of the surrounding garden, looking toward the obelisk with the park greenery in the foreground.
Visit during daylight hours to safely navigate the busy traffic circle surrounding the monument.
Combine your visit with a walk down the nearby pedestrian-friendly Vitosha Boulevard.
Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture the full height of the obelisk against the city skyline.
Do not attempt to cross the busy traffic circle on foot; use the designated pedestrian crossings at the perimeter.
