Shipka Memorial Church - Shipka, Bulgaria
This is Shipka Memorial Church also known as the Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ or Shipka Monastery. It is a Bulgarian Orthodox church in the village of Shipka that was built between 1885 and 1902. The Muscovite / Russian style architecture is absolutely stunning. It is dedicated to the Ukrainian, Russian and Bulgarian soldiers who gave their lives to liberate Bulgaria from the Ottomans during the Russo-Turkish war. It opened in Autumn of 1902 coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Battles of Shipka Pass.
I am going to take you on a walking tour around the exterior of the building and probably show you way too many pictures because I simply could not get enough of this place!
There are more people in this picture than I saw in all of Shipka during our stay.
The building was just too big for me to get in one shot! I suppose I could have tried laying on the ground but I was attempting to be semi-dignified.
The church from the sculpture's point of view...sort of.
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Take a look at layer upon layer of detail and color...metal, wood, tile, brick...GORGEOUS!
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From the back of the building, you get an excellent view of 3 of the 5 gilded, onion shaped domes. There, you can also visit the graves of the priests who have served the church.
There is an extra bonus of a falling leaf about to hit the ground...can you see it?
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I am posting this picture because I particularly like the shadow cast by the metal trim (lower right) and all of the lines and shapes are absolutely delicious!!!
Clean and bold mixed with swirling elegance! Even the rain gutter is fantastic!
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Pardon the funky angle but I wanted you to see all of the colors and details in the sunlight.
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I wish my photo did the tile on the spire roof justice.
Look at all those bells...there are 17 in all! I read that they were cast from the cartridges picked up after the Battles of Shipka Pass. The tower itself was a gift from Russia's Emperor, Nicholas II.
As I was touring the grounds of the church, a local weapons manufacturer was doing some testing of their products. The booms sounded like canons firing...the irony was not lost on me.
I posted so many pictures here...I couldn't get enough! This church's exterior is the most beautiful of all that I have seen on my travels through western Bulgaria and that is saying something! My next travel post will be from the interior of this church. Look for that tomorrow.
This is my submission for the daily photo contest sponsored by @photocontests and initiated by @juliank.
Some photos previously posted at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008940904112
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Wow... I have never seen a church like that.. That's crazy cool!!!
Right? Those Russians know how to design cool churches! There is also a Russian church in Sofia, Bulgaria that is cool but on a smaller scale.
Thanks for your comment!
Very nice Photography i like the colors very much.
Thank you so much!