Vasil Levski Monument

Before you stands the impressive Monument to Vasil Levski in Lovech – the largest in Bulgaria, dedicated to the Apostle of Freedom. It is located in the ancient Varosha quarter, where every cobblestone street tells a story about the legendary Bulgarian revolutionary.

The monument itself was inaugurated on May 27, 1964 and immediately became one of the most important symbols of the city. For 40 years, it has also been part of the coat of arms of Lovech. Its height (a full 14 meters) seems to invite us to look up and be inspired by Levski’s unwavering spirit. The sculpture is cast in bronze and weighs about 10 tons, placed on a 5-meter granite pedestal. Below it you will see one of the Apostle’s famous quotes: “If I win, I win for the whole nation, if I lose – I lose only myself.”

Why Lovech? The idea of ​​building a monument here is not accidental. In the mid-19th century, the city was a true center of revolutionary activity, and Levski often hid and planned his bold actions precisely in these streets and houses. It is said that if he had lived to see the Liberation, the Apostle had plans to turn Lovech into the future capital of Bulgaria, due to its strategic location and strong organizational role.

The idea for the monument was officially born in 1959, when the local authorities decided to immortalize the work of the Apostle. After a competition, several rejected projects and the dedicated work of talented sculptors and architects, the monument became a fact. It was transported in parts and assembled on site in the spring of 1964. Since then, it has majestically watched over the city and kept the memory of Levski's heroism.

Over the years, the monument has undergone various changes and repairs - for example, in 1994. The brass letters were replaced with a marble slab, and in 2018, major renovations were carried out to strengthen the foundations. Today, you have the opportunity to touch history and feel the pride of the locals, who rightly say that Levski left a special energy here.

Vasil Levski – who is he? Vasil Ivanov Kunchev (born in 1837) is not just a legendary hero, but a true ideologist of the Bulgarian national revolution. From an early age, he was interested in church and literary affairs – for some time he was a deacon (hence the nickname Deacon Ignatius). His determination and alert mind directed him to the fight for freedom, and he later became the founder of the Internal Revolutionary Organization (IRO). His mission was to create a secret network of local revolutionary committees throughout the country, which would prepare the Bulgarian people for a general uprising against Ottoman rule.

Levski believed in a “pure and holy republic” where all people, regardless of religion or ethnicity, could live freely. It was this vision that made him so beloved by generations of Bulgarians. Unfortunately, he did not see his dream come true – he was captured and hanged in 1873 in Sofia. But his ideas and deeds live on and continue to inspire the Bulgarian spirit.

As you stroll here, relax and feel the power of this history that flows through the quiet cobblestone streets.