San Stefano was a suburb of Istanbul, an uneventful place where nothing really happened. Until the army of the Russian tsar set camp there, threatening to take over the capital of the Ottoman empire. That was the culmination of a two-year war (1877-1878) which was written in history as the Russo-Turkish war for all other countries and as the Liberation war for Bulgaria.
There are many opinions on whether or not the Russian tsar Alexander II actually wanted to liberate Bulgaria or not. My opinion is that it was just political interests. The Russian empire wanted to make it even for the tremendous loss during the Crimean war (which ended 20 years before that - in 1856). The war of 1877-1878 was the perfect opportunity to get hold of Isanbul and the Bosphorus (which Russia has coveted for centuries).
The official reason, though, was to help 'our Slavic brothers in distress'. The April Uprising (1876) in Bulgaria and the atrocities that followed were internationally known because of Januarius Macgahan. Because of his articles, people as far as the US found out what went on here. That is an entirely different story and since the date of the uprising is 20/04 I'll save the story for then.
On the war, it was not exactly as successful as the tsar had hoped. Mainly due to the total lack of supplies and misinterpretation of the tactics of the Ottoman army (which had better weapons and the support of England and France). What turned the tables were the voluntary units of Bulgarian people who did all they could to help and ensure victory for the Russians. Same was done by the troops brought by the Romanian king.
On this day, 03/03/1878, the preliminary treaty was signed (I'll leave the story of why it was just a preliminary treaty and what happened next for September). In that preliminary treaty, Bulgaria appeared on the map of Europe for the first time in 500 years (total history of the country is 1300 years, all that in the same place with the same name). So, this why we celebrate the date as 'Liberation day'.
On this date, the biggest celebrations are held at Shipka peak, the place which turned the war in favour of the Russians. In 1877, during the Russian-Turkish Liberation war, that place was attacked by the Ottoman army.
The idea was that one Turkish pasha (Siuleyman) had to go to Northern Bulgaria to help another pasha (Osman) with the Russian siege of Pleven (which is in Northern Bulgaria). Had he done that, the Liberation War would have ended with defeat for the Russians and devastation for the Bulgarians.
This is where Shipka comes to the fore – to go to Northern Bulgaria, Suileyman had to cross Stara Planina (which stretches across the middle of Bulgaria) but driven by anger he foolishly chose the highest mountain pass in the area – Shipka pass.
The defenders on the homonymous peak above the pass were around 7 500 Bulgarian volunteers and Russian soldiers against more than 27 000 Turkish soldiers and bashibozuk (the Turkish version of volunteer army, known for their cruelty, something like the Viking Berserkers).
In a dramatic 3-day fight when even the ammo ran out, the defenders fought till the last one standing and even threw the dead bodies of their comrades against the enemy. They managed to stand their ground until some reinforcements were sent and that slowed down the Turkish army and basically tilted the scales in favour of Russia. Today, it is said that that fight won the whole war and won freedom for Bulgaria. On this date, people from all over Bullgaria come there, as well as descendents of the people who fought there (Turkish, Romanian, Russian). It is amazing to be up there and sing the national anthem on that day.
The monument has long and tangled history (which deserves a post of its own) so for the time being I'll only mention that it was built on donations and opened to visitors in 1934. It is open all year round, the exact working hours vary according to season.
Pictures of the place attached - all mine, taken during the celebrations of 140 years since the liberation there.
The story, just like those in 1001 nights, will flow into another :)
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