It was erected in honour of Russian Emperor Alexander II and his army who gave over 200 000 victims during the Russian-Turkish Liberation War (1877-1878).
Author of the design is the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi, who won the first prize at the international competition held in 1900. The monument was inaugurated in 1907.
The statuary above the pedestal depicts the Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers led by the goddess of victory Nike. Other bas-reliefs feature some decisive for the victory battles and generals. Above the massive cornice is the figure of 