Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In June 2024, I had the opportunity to hike up one of the iconic hills in Plovdiv to visit the famous Alyosha Monument—a massive statue overlooking the entire city.
The monument stands about 36 feet (11 meters) tall on top of Bunardzhik Hill and was built between 1954–1957 as a tribute to Soviet soldiers from World War II. It represents the Red Army’s role in Bulgaria during the war and has remained one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city ever since.
“Alyosha” is a nickname for a Russian soldier, and the statue was reportedly modeled after a real soldier named Aleksey Skurlatov.
Over the years, the monument has also become controversial due to its connection to Bulgaria’s communist past, but it still stands today as a powerful reminder of history—and offers some great views at the top.
The hike up is short but steep, and worth it for the panoramic views of Plovdiv in my opinion.
If you’re ever visiting central Bulgaria, this is definitely a unique stop to add to your list.
Thanks for watching—and as always, I appreciate your support through likes, comments, and subscriptions!
In June 2024, I had the opportunity to hike up one of the iconic hills in Plovdiv to visit the famous Alyosha Monument—a massive statue overlooking the entire city.
The monument stands about 36 feet (11 meters) tall on top of Bunardzhik Hill and was built between 1954–1957 as a tribute to Soviet soldiers from World War II. It represents the Red Army’s role in Bulgaria during the war and has remained one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city ever since.
“Alyosha” is a nickname for a Russian soldier, and the statue was reportedly modeled after a real soldier named Aleksey Skurlatov.
Over the years, the monument has also become controversial due to its connection to Bulgaria’s communist past, but it still stands today as a powerful reminder of history—and offers some great views at the top.
The hike up is short but steep, and worth it for the panoramic views of Plovdiv in my opinion.
If you’re ever visiting central Bulgaria, this is definitely a unique stop to add to your list.
Thanks for watching—and as always, I appreciate your support through likes, comments, and subscriptions!
