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The main historical symbols of Pleven are related to the violent clashes in 1877 during the Russo-Turkish war when Bulgaria gained its freedom and became an independent state. The most remarkable monument of that time is the Pleven Panorama.

"Panorama" as the museum is called by locals, is a museum built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. It was built near the Skobelev Park Museum, next to Kovanlak redoubt, where during the third attack of the siege of Pleven is one of the toughest battles. Authors of the project are the architects Plamen Petrov and Ivo Tsacheva, together with design team of 14 people.

The Panorama "Pleven Epopee - 1877" has the shape of a truncated cone, carried by four bayonets, symbolizing the weapon of the liberation forces and three horizontal rings reminiscent of the three assaults of Pleven. It realistically depicts the city with its numerous minarets of that time, of which today remains only one, and the battlefield.

Tourists can climb with lifts to the two visual sites on the roof of the museum, where one can observe historical sites: Death Valley, alternating Kovanlak Aga and Issa redoubts, the ossuary in the Skobelev Park, and Grivishkite Heights.

The Panorama "Pleven Epopee 1877" consists of four rooms: introductory, panorama, diorama and closing. In the introductory room six paintings show the history of Bulgaria from the fourteenth to the nineteenth century and some of the key battles during the Russo-Turkish War. In panoramic hall the canvas is 115 meters long and 15 m high. The total area with the slides plan is 2375 square meters. The panoramic canvas recreates largest and bloodiest battle of the Pleven siege - the third assault (11-12 September 1877). The visitor finds himself at the center of the battlefield, at the highest hill near the town, against the positions of the Turkish army between the redoubts "Kovanlak" and "Issa-Aga." Hence you can see the city and the surrounding hills, the attacking Russian and Romanian troops, the defending Turkish parts, the location of the Russian command and the headquarters of Osman Pasha.

Diorama hall reflects the last battle of Pleven in the valley of Vit river, that took place on December 10, 1877. The total area of the sail is 150 square meters. In the closing hall two pictures show the surrender of Osman Pasha and the winter crossing of the Russian army in the passes of the Stara Planina. Military uniforms, weapons and artillery equipment from the Russian-Turkish war in 1877-1878 complement the art exhibition.

Panorama is a unique monument in Southeast Europe, which successfully achieves synchrony between the actual event and its artistic reproduction. In front of the eyes of the visitors are recreated battle scenes, in which thousands of soldiers who are buried in common grave at the same place more than 100 years were killed.

When you visit this original museum you will understand why in the course of the Russo-Turkish War the Pleven siege became of so great military importance. In its duration, the number of troops involved and of the victims, the Pleven siege is the largest event in the war, that played a crucial role in its victorious outcome.