A Rainy Walk Through History: Skobelev Park, Pleven

Dear HIVE travelers,

In this post, I am going to tell you about one of the most significant historical landmarks in my country: Skobelev Park in Pleven, Bulgaria.

Today, as the heavy rain finally began to subside, I remembered that I had started sharing my photos of Pleven with you, but there is one specific place that deserves much more attention. Despite the light drizzle that remained, I decided to head out and capture the atmosphere of this sacred ground for you.

Pleven is a beautiful city in North Bulgaria situated near the Vit River. In 1877 it became world famous for THE SIEGE OF PLEVNA ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Plevna ) - one of the major battles in the 1877-1878 Russo - Turkish War which led to the Liberation of my native Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.

The Entrance to the Legend Here is the main entrance to the park. Even under the grey, overcast sky, you can feel the scale of this place. This park isn't just a green space; it is a memorial built upon the very ground where some of the bloodiest battles of the Russo-Turkish War took place in 1877.

The "White General" and the Third Assault The park is named after General Mikhail Skobelev, known as the "White General." During the Third Assault of Pleven, his troops managed to break through the Turkish lines right here, at the "Green Hills." It is a place where history feels alive. As I walked the paths today, the wet grass and the mist among the trees seemed to echo the past.

Made from cannons and bayonets. It is a source of pride that the weapons have been transformed into building material; the once terrifying iron has been subdued and turned into a fence — but a fence one can see through, and which is itself architecture and a monument. This was the idea of Stoyan Zaimov (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoyan_Zaimov ) , who laid the foundations of the park. He was involved in other monuments as well, but this was the work of his life.

The missing bayonets from the fence are a cause for deep shame. So far, no one has managed to steal a cannon. Iron Witnesses of the Past Throughout the park, you are surrounded by authentic weaponry from the 19th century.

The Gatling Guns: I came across the famous American-designed Gatling guns. Seeing these manual-cranked machine guns—"iron organs" as they were called—reminds you of the sudden technological leap that happened right here on these hills.

The Krupp Cannons: Further in, you see the massive steel cannons. You can still read the stamps from the St. Petersburg and Perm arsenals on their barrels. They are heavy, cold, and silent now, but 150 years ago, their roar decided the fate of the Balkans.

“If you zoom in, you’ll see the name of the chief founder — GERASIMOV, written with the old silent hard sign ‘Ъ’, dating from 1873.

Deciphering the inscriptions:

“САНКТПЕТЕРБУРГЪ” (“Saint Petersburg”) — This inscription indicates that the cannon passed through the Saint Petersburg arsenal or was officially registered there. Although the steel barrels were often commissioned from Krupp in Germany, they were ultimately assembled, tested, and accepted into service at the major Russian factories.

“№ 4970” (or a similar number) — This is the cannon’s unique serial number. In artillery, every gun was individually tracked: how many rounds it had fired, when it had undergone repairs, and which battery it belonged to.

“П. О. П.” (beneath the main inscription) — This is an abbreviation for “Perm Ordnance Enterprise” (the Perm artillery works). It means that this particular cannon was manufactured in Russia under Krupp license and technology.”

The Shell Pyramid: One of the most striking sights is the monument built entirely out of real shells and shrapnel. It stands as a grim reminder of the "iron rain" that once fell over Pleven.

An Oasis of Greenery Despite its somber history, the park today is an ecological treasure. The lush, deep green of the trees is a testament to the rich underground waters of the Pleven region. It’s a paradox—walking through such vibrant, life-filled nature while standing on ground that remembers so much sacrifice.

There are two houses in Skobelev Park — one is the house of Stoyan Zaimov, while the other museum house is named after Alexander II of Russia. It was there that the captured Osman Pasha was presented to the Tsar.”

I hope you enjoy this walk through history with me. Even in the rain, Pleven has a way of telling its story with dignity.

THANK YOU FOR READING SO FAR