Country Bulgaria Postal Code 6150 Elevation 650 m Population 1,398 (2005) Area code 04324 | Time zone EET (UTC+2) License plate CT Provinces (Oblast) Stara Zagora Local time Saturday 9:17 PM | |
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Weather 9°C, Wind SE at 6 km/h, 45% Humidity | ||
Shipka (Bulgarian: Шипка, "Rosa canina") is a town in central Bulgaria, part of Kazanlak Municipality, Stara Zagora Province. It lies in the Central Balkan Mountains, at 42°42′N 25°23′E, 650 metres above sea level. As of 2005, Shipka has a population of 1,398 and the mayor is Stoyan Ivanov.
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Map of 6150 Shipka, Bulgaria
The town is known for being located near the historic Shipka Pass, the location of several key battles in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Local sights include the Shipka Memorial (1934) on Stoletov Peak, the Buzludzha Monument, the Russian-style Shipka Memorial Church (1885–1902) and the recently discovered Thracian tomb Golyamata Kosmatka.
The population is overwhelmingly Eastern Orthodox and ethnically Bulgarian, with a notable minority of Karakachans (a Greek-speaking transhumant people of obscure origin).
Shipka Pass
Shipka Pass (Bulgarian: Шипченски проход, Shipchenski prohod) (el. 1150 m./3820 ft.) is 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from the town, and connects the town with Gabrovo.
During the Russo-Turkish War, Shipka Pass was the scene of a series of conflicts collectively named the Battle of Shipka Pass.
The Shipka Memorial (Bulgarian: паметник „Шипка“), a memorial to those who died for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Battles of Shipka Pass, stands near the pass.