The Shipka Monastery The Nativity Bulgaria, Храм паметник Рождество Христово град Шипка

The Shipka Monastery The Nativity is located on the outskirts of the city Shipka. The idea to found the monastery began with the Russian diplomat Count Ignatiev and Olga Skobeleva, mother of General Skobelev. Funds for construction were donated by the Russian people; the residents of Shipka gave the land. Construction began in 1885 and was completed in 1902. Also in 1902, the church was decorated with frescoes. The monastery was Russian Orthodox until 1934 when the Soviet government transferred the ownership to Bulgaria. Today the Shipka Monastery is part of the ShipkaBuzludzha park and museum complex. The monastery church was declared an architectural and cultural landmark in Issue 33 of the State Decrees for 1970. The church has a cruciform dome, a rectilinear nave, and three apses. On the sanctuary walls and in the outer galleries 34 marble plaques are listing the names of officers and volunteers who died during the RussoTurkish war of 188788, some of whom died in the wars most brutal battles on Sh