Vassil Levski Monument

Overview

The monument to Vasil Levski is located in the centre of Sofia, right in the middle of a busy roundabout. It was one of the first monuments created after the Liberation in Sofia. This place had been chosen because Vasil Levski was executed by hanging a few metres away in 1873.

Vasil Levski ( 1837 - 1873 ) was an instigator in the national uprising against the Ottoman Empire. He was a campaigner for human rights and toured Bulgaria inciting armed rebellion against the tyranny of the Ottomans. He is the most notable and beloved Bulgarian revolutionary, dubbed the Apostle of Freedom as well as Deacon Ignatius. "Levski" is another title he was given in his youth and means  "Lion-Hearted". He created and led the Internal Revolutionary Organisation for the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in the period 1869-1872, with over 200 revolutionary committees. 

In 1878 a decision was made to erect a monument to the Apostle. It is believed that the proposal for this monument was given by Count Ignatiev. The plan was to build the monument in 20 days. After all, the construction of the monument took 17 long years due to a lack of funds and negligence. The delay started a wave of indignation among the Bulgarian intellectuals of the time.

The monument is obelisk-shaped, 13 m high, made of grey Balkan granite with a bronze bas-relief of the head of Levski. Although Levski is the greatest Bulgarian hero, the monument is rather small and modest.

Every year, on February 19th,  Bulgaria mourns the hanging of Vassil Levski. Hundreds of people queue in the cold winter to lay flowers.