Shipka Pass
🌍 Bulgaria
The Shipka Pass at 1,185 meters crosses the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) in central Bulgaria, connecting the Rose Valley town of Kazanlak with the city of Gabrovo on the northern side. The pass is one of the most historically significant mountain crossings in the Balkans, the site of fierce battles during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 that led to Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule.
The road climbs through dense beech and oak forests with 17 hairpin bends on the southern approach. Near the summit stands the Freedom Monument (Shipka Memorial), a 31.5-meter stone tower commemorating the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who held the pass against the Ottoman army. The views from the monument stretch across the Rose Valley, famous for its damask rose cultivation and the production of rose oil. On the northern side, the road descends through the Uzana area, a popular recreation zone. The Shipka-Buzludzha road is one of Bulgaria's most rewarding drives, combining dramatic mountain scenery with layers of history.