Pantheon of National Revival Heroes

The Pantheon of National Revival Heroes is an important national memorial ossuary in Ruse. Designed by architect Nikola Nikolov, it opened on 28 February 1978. The complex is the final resting place of thirty-nine prominent Bulgarians, including Lyuben Karavelov, Zahari Stoyanov, Stefan Karadzha, Panayot Hitov, Baba Tonka, Nikola Obretenov, Panayot Volov, Angel Kanchev and others. The monument is dedicated to 453 people, including members of Botev's detachment and the Chervena Voda insurgent detachment, participants in the April Uprising and volunteer soldiers. Their names are inscribed inside. An eternal flame once burned in the centre but was extinguished after Todor Zhivkov's regime fell. To build the Pantheon, All Saints Church in Ruse's old cemetery was demolished in 1977. In 2001, following discussion, the monument was "Christianised" by placing a cross on its dome. The Chapel of St Paisiy of Hilandar and a museum exhibition were also opened.