The Russian Church in Shipka

The Russian Church in Shipka, also known as the The Shipka Memorial Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Bulgaria. The Russian Church in Shipka is located in the upper end of the town of Shipka, a picturesque little town cuddled in the southern slopes of Stara Planina mountain, 12 km north of Kazanlak and about 50 km from Stara Zagora. There are direct buses from Plovdiv and Stara Zagora. From Sofia you can take a bus or train to Kazanlak and then change to the No6 bus which runs regularly every half an hour from 06:30 till 20:40 during the week and every 60 min from 07:00 till 19:00 during the weekend. Tickets are sold on the bus. Furthermore, the Russian Church in Shipka is on the same hiking route as Shipka peak, Buzludzha Monument, Sokolski Monastery and a few more mountain trails.

The church itself is a part of a bigger religious complex known as the Shipka Monastery and is open for visits between 8.30 and 17.30. Since this is an acting temple, visitors are expected to a show decent behaviour, be respectful and quiet, and observe the appropriate dress code, that is, wear clothes covering shoulders, elbows and knees. Ladies, have a scarf ready tо cover your head before entering the church. Cameras and filming are not allowed inside the church but the exterior and the surroundings provide enough quality image material.

The town of Shipka, though small, is a popular and well developed tourist destination and offers a good choice of accommodation and dining options.