Shipka (town)
Shipka is a town in central Bulgaria, part of Kazanlak Municipality, Stara Zagora Province. It lies in the Central Balkan Mountains, at, 650 metres above sea level. As of 2005, Shipka has a population of 1,398 and the mayor is Stoyan Ivanov.
The town is known for being located near the historic Shipka Pass, the location of several key battles in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Local sights include the Shipka Memorial on Stoletov Peak, the Buzludzha Monument, the Russian-style Shipka Memorial Church and the recently discovered Thracian tomb Golyamata Kosmatka.
The population is overwhelmingly Eastern Orthodox and ethnically Bulgarian, with a notable minority of Karakachans.Shipka Pass
is from the town, and connects the town with Gabrovo.
During the Russo-Turkish War, Shipka Pass was the scene of a series of conflicts collectively named the Battle of Shipka Pass.
The Shipka Memorial, a memorial to those who died for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Battles of Shipka Pass, stands near the pass.Notable buildings