Memorial "Military Cemetery-1916"

Memorial complex “Military Cemetery – 1916” is the biggest cemetery from the Unification War of the country and a monument of national importance.

After what was called the Interallied war South Dobruja is included in the Romanian kingdom. For two years French and Belgian engineers build Tutrakan Fortress having 15 forts, two defensive lines, fortifications, traps and is defended by a garrison of 39000 soldiers with 150 field guns and scores of machine-guns. During the first World War Bulgaria takes all the efforts to regain South Dobruja. 55.000 Bulgarian troops attack Tutrakan Fortress with 132 pistols and 53 machine-guns. Considering the strategic importance of Tutrakan city, Bulgarian general Toshev decided to hit the castle that hosted 25 Romanian regiments, 20 batteries and 6 squadrons. He wants to fight them with 33 Bulgarian regiments and 44 artillery batteries.

On September 1st 1916 two neighbour nations – Bulgaria and Romania fight on both sides of the barricade each for their country, for Dobruja. Turtucaia fights from September 5th and 6th 1916 are one of the most significant victories of the Bulgarian troops. After a 33 hours of artillery attack of the fourth Preslav Infantry Division Varna and the infantry division of Sofia and T?rnovo, the castle is conquered after one of the most glorious battles of the Bulgarian army. Over 8000 soldiers including 1764 Bulgarians rest in peace in Tutrakan. The building of the Memorial complex started immediately after the battle at the initiative of the ” Tutrakan Charity Committee”.

In 1922 is built a monument that lasts today also with an engraving in Bulgarian, German, Romanian and Turkish saying “Honour and glory for those who know how to die heroic for their country”. After the liberation of South Dobruja in 1940, every year in the first Sunday of September is commemorated the memory of the soldiers that perished in this epic fight during complex commemorative rituals.