Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria celebrates freedom on 3 March

It is the 147th anniversary of the country's liberation from Ottoman rule

Photo: архив

On 3 March, Bulgaria celebrates the 147th anniversary of its liberation from five centuries of Ottoman rule. The day was declared a national holiday in 1990 by a decision of the National Assembly.

The Treaty of San Stefano, signed on 19 February 1878 (Old Style) between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, ended the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). The document provided for the creation of an autonomous tributary Principality of Bulgaria, which would pay taxes to the Sultan.

The signing of the peace treaty of San Stefano, engraving.
However, Great Britain and Austria-Hungary opposed the preliminary peace treaty, and in July of the same year the Treaty of Berlin was signed, dividing Bulgaria into five parts.
Bulgaria's Liberation was first commemorated in Veliko Tarnovo in 1879, when Exarch Antim I, then President of the Constituent National Assembly, held a memorial service in the church of Sveta Bogoroditsa in the presence of MPs and citizens. Since 1888, it has been celebrated as the day of Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule.

On March 3, citizens lay wreaths and flowers at monuments in honour of the soldiers who died for Bulgaria's liberation, there is a memorial service and a prayer of gratitude, a solemn military roll call and fireworks.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

‎March 22 is a holiday in Veliko Tarnovo – a day to honor the glorious past of Bulgaria's medieval capital

Veliko Tarnovo is proud of its glorious past, encoded in the city’s holiday, associated with the day of the Holy Forty Martyrs – the spiritual patrons of Bulgaria's medieval capital. On the day of the 40 followers of Christ (March 22 according to..

published on 3/22/25 11:05 AM
Deisis, 1557, from Bachkovo Monastery

The treasures of the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum in Sofia showcased in a new book

The book "Icons from the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum" - a huge work of over 500 pages, with more than 700 published photographs and accompanying scientific articles, was officially presented a few days ago. The unique..

published on 3/19/25 5:05 AM
Monument to Monsignor Francesco Galloni in Lodetto di Rovato

Italian bishop Francesco Galloni dedicates his life to the poor and orphans of Bulgaria

A humble military chaplain made his first contact with Bulgaria in 1921, arriving with the mission of searching for Italian soldiers who had disappeared without a trace during World War I. However, he did not remain indifferent to the fate of this small..

published on 3/15/25 8:35 AM