Български
After a five-century period of Ottoman oppression, freedom once again rises over the eternal city of Thrace. 16 January 1878 is a date that finds its worthy place in the memory of our fellow citizens.
The Liberation of Plovdiv is an important moment in the final stage of the Russo-Turkish War. On 4 January, Sofia was liberated. The Western Detachment of General Gurko advanced toward Plovdiv in five columns. Opposing them was the last combat-ready Turkish army under Suleiman Pasha. On 15 January, General Gurko and his headquarters were several kilometres west of Plovdiv. With the coming of evening, huge flames appeared on the hills of Plovdiv. Dull explosions were heard. At that moment General Gurko sent Captain Alexander Petrovich Burago with his detachment of 63 dragoons on a reconnaissance mission and in an attempt to save the city. Captain Burago also captured the railway station. The clearing of the neighbourhoods of Circassians and bashi-bazouks began.
In the early morning of 16 January 1878, freedom rises over Plovdiv and the road of the Russian troops toward Adrianople was opened. But in their fury, the retreating Turkish forces took 123 Bulgarians – participants in the national liberation struggles – from the ‘Tash Kapia’ prison and massacred them in the locality of Ostromila. Among them was the great patriot Dusho Hadzhidekov.
Around noon, General Iosif Vladimirovich Gurko arrived with his headquarters.
On 16 January 1878, a new beginning in the development of our city was set. The Bulgarians demonstrated their political maturity and assumed the administration of the city.
Long live Bulgaria!
Language
