Pleven Panorama | Pleven

The Pleven Panorama ("Pleven Epopee 1877") is a monumental museum and 360-degree painting located in Skobelev Park, Pleven. It commemorates the Siege of Plevna during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878).

Visual Characteristics

The building is a distinctive truncated cylindrical structure supported by four pedestals, symbolizing the "strength of the bayonets." Its interior features a continuous panoramic oil painting measuring 115 meters in length and 15 meters in height, integrated with a foreground of real-world objects (diorama) to create a three-dimensional illusion of the battlefield.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Gen. Lieutenant G. S. Rakovski St., Skobelev Park, 5804 Pleven.

Access: Situated within a large park on the southern outskirts of Pleven. Access is pedestrian-only through park alleys.

Transport: Trolleybus lines stop at the "Panorama" station.

Parking: A dedicated parking lot is located at the park entrance.

Historical & Engineering Origin

Inaugurated on December 10, 1977, for the centennial of the siege, the project was led by architects Plamena Tsatcheva and Ivo Petrov. The painting was executed by a team of 11 Russian and 2 Bulgarian artists headed by Nikolai Ovechkin. It stands on the exact site where the Third Assault for Pleven occurred.

Exhibition Layout

The museum is divided into four main halls:

Introductory Hall: Features six large canvases depicting the five-century Ottoman rule, the April Uprising (1876), and the beginning of the war.

Panorama Hall: The main 360-degree exhibit portraying the climax of the Third Assault (September 11, 1877).

Diorama Hall: Depicts the final battle at the Vit River and the surrender of the Ottoman army (December 10, 1877).

Conclusion Hall: Houses paintings of the capitulation of Osman Pasha and the crossing of the Balkan Range.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Hours (2026): * Summer (May 1 – Sept 30): 09:00 – 17:30 (No lunch break).

Winter (Oct 1 – Apr 30): 09:00 – 12:00 and 12:30 – 17:00.

Admission: Approximately 10 BGN for adults; discounts available for seniors and students.

Connectivity: Full 5G/4G coverage in the area.

Observation: An elevator provides access to the roof for views of the park and city.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning on weekdays to avoid large school groups. National holidays, particularly March 3 (National Liberation Day) and December 10 (Day of Pleven), often feature ceremonies and high visitor volumes.

Nearby Landmarks

Skobelev Park Charnel House: 0.3 km South.

St. George the Conqueror Chapel-Mausoleum: 1.5 km North.

Regional Historical Museum: 1.8 km North.

Kaylaka Park & Wine Museum: 4.5 km Southeast.