The Monument to the Tsar Liberator

Monument to the Tsar Liberator. It was erected in honor of Russian Emperor Alexander II and his army, out of which more than 200 000 soldiers gave their lives during the Russi­an-Turkish War of Liberation (1877–1878). The memorial’s author was Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi who won the project in the international com­petition in 1900. The sculptural ensemble above the pedestal depicts Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers led by Nike, Ancient Greek goddess of victory. It also features scenes from the major battles and por­traits of army leaders. The mas­sive cornice is finished with the sculpture of Emperor Alexander II on horseback, holding the Ma­nifesto declaring the Russian-Turkish War in his hand.