Episode BG57. The Battle for the Samara Flag and the MASSACRE in Stara Zagora
Hello, Bulgaria! 🇧🇬
The monument of the Samara flag is one of the most monumental and symbolic places in Stara Zagora. It is erected on the hill in the Defenders Park, where the 50-metre-high concrete structure is a reminder of the tragic but heroic battle of Stara Zagora in 1877. The whole complex is designed to inspire awe, with the imposing shape of the flying flag visible from miles away.
You can navigate directly to a desired moment in the video by clicking on the timer👆
0:00 – Intro
1:23 – Trailer Bulgaria DropView
1:44 – Where is it?
2:55 – Symbolism
3:43 – 300m Flag
5:21 – The Battle
5:50 – Monument to the Battle of Juranli
8:30 – Monument to Lieutenant Kalitin
9:51 – The Battle of Stara Zagora
12:51 – The Stara Zagora Massacre
14:01 – Composition
14:35 – Initiative
15:57 – Final Thoughts
17:03 – Happy National Day, March 3!
💡 Other interesting places nearby:
None
👉 References to other episodes:
BG14. Shipka Memorial – Monument of Freedom
BG55. Memorial Church “Nativity of Christ” – GUARDING the Bones of the Fallen at Shipka
BG58. Beklemeto and the Portal to the Past beneath the ARCH of FREEDOM
BG59. Koprivshtitsa – The REBELLIOUS Capital of the Bulgarian Revival!
📌 What will we look at in this article?
📝 Episode Summary
🔥 The most interesting moments
⭐ Location assessment
✅ Final conclusion
📝 Brief summary of the episode
The memorial complex “The Defenders of Stara Zagora” was opened on 30 July 1977 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the battle. It was built on the place where the headquarters of the volunteers was located. The symbolism is strong – three concrete columns, a waving flag and an eternal flame, under which an ossuary of the fallen is laid. The figures of 6 Bulgarian Volunteers and a Russian officer represent the troops that took part in the battle, and the 100 steps up to the upper platform mark the centenary of the battle. The site is also part of the 100 National Tourist Sites.
🔥 What will you see in this episode?
The complex tells the story of the Battle of Stara Zagora – one of the bloodiest and heaviest battles of the Russo-Turkish War. On July 31, 1877, 6 detachments of Bulgarian volunteers and Russian troops confronted a vastly superior Turkish army under the command of Suleiman Pasha. Despite the heroism of the defenders, the battle ended in retreat and huge losses, including a massacre of civilians. The Samara flag – a gift from Russia and considered sacred – was saved at the last moment by Lieutenant Colonel Kalitin, who died in the fighting. In addition to the main memorial, the episode also mentions the older monument to the Battle of Juranli, the first dedicated to that war, as well as the sarcophagus commemorating Kalitin. Each is saturated with symbolism – crosses, coats of arms, oracles, inscriptions. It all adds up to a picture of grandeur, tragedy and deep reverence.
The episode opens with footage of the old monument to the Battle of Juranley, erected in 1879 – just two years after the battle. It is followed by a shot of the sarcophagus of Lieutenant Colonel Kalitin, who took over the defence of the Samara flag at the most critical moment and died in the battle. It is explained how Kalitin fell with a rifle in one hand and the flag in the other, managing to save it. Attention then turns to the memorial “The Defenders of Stara Zagora”. The steps – exactly 100 in number – lead up to a platform with 7 figures: six volunteers and a Russian officer, standing in a fighting pose. Below them is an ossuary with the remains of those who died in the battle. It is said that over 14,500 people died in Stara Zagora – including many civilians who were killed after the breakthrough of the Turks. The emphasis falls on specific moments of the battle: the positions, the attacks, the commanders and the very meaning of the Samara flag. The names of some of the dead are mentioned, as well as the role of the Stara Zagora people in the defence. At the end of the episode, a brief historical overview is given of the contribution of this battle to the overall course of the war and its significance for Bulgarian sacrifice.
⭐ Location assessment
The assessment is entirely based on my personal impression and is made according to several main criteria considered separately. I use a 5-point scale where (1/5 – Very bad, 2/5 – Bad, 3/5 – Average, 4/5 – Good, 5/5 – Excellent)
| Criterion | Personal impression | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility 🚗 |
Park directly next to the monument. There is designated parking, wide access and no physical congestion when approaching the site. | ★★★★★ |
| History 📜 |
The site commemorates the heroic but tragic Battle of Stara Zagora (1877). The Samara flag was saved thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Kalitin, who died while defending it. It never fell into captivity. | ★★★★★ |
| Condition 🛠️ |
The memorial is extensive but shows signs of depreciation – in need of refreshing, especially on the concrete surfaces. However, the main structure is sound and impressive. | ★★★★☆ |
| Conveniences 🚻 |
There are eco-toilets, shaded benches and a small children’s play area. There are no food facilities, but the town offers everything you need within 5 minutes. | ★★★★☆ |
| Price 💰 |
Access to the memorial complex is completely free. There is no admission charge to the site or the memorial grounds. | ★★★★★ |
★★★★☆
✅ Conclusion
The Samara flag and the memory of the battle of Stara Zagora are not just part of the textbooks – they are a living part of the spirit of Bulgaria. The memorial complex, with its majestic construction and the ossuary under the feet of the volunteers, combines architecture and history in a way that leaves no one indifferent. The site is not just a monument – it is a call to memory, to national consciousness and to deep personal empathy. If you’ve ever wondered what “Freedom or Death” means – you’ll feel it here.
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