MONUMENT Ossuary of Botev's Chetniks, in the village of Skravena

The monument to the ossuary of the Botev Chetniks is a memorial ossuary in the center of the village of Skravena, Botevgrad municipality.

It contains the skulls of 10 Botev rebels from the group of Georgi Apostolov, who died during the defeat of the detachment in Rashovo dol near Ritlit, on June 2, 1876 (May 21 in the old style). The next day, the entire population of Skravena was taken to see a procession of bashibozuk, carrying the heads of the rebels on stakes. Village chiefs Georgi Stamenov and Petko Studenkovski managed to buy heads and the same evening the women from the village washed them, wrapped them in a linen cloth and buried them in the churchyard. On June 3, 1930, at the suggestion of the priest Georgi Popdimitrov, the remains were removed and displayed in a special display case in the church.

The monument to the ossuaries was unveiled on May 18, 1982, at the ceremony of handing over the skulls of ten Botev rebels, which the local population saved from the church "St. silver coins Kozma and Damjan ”in the village.

It was designed by architect Rosica Grnčarova, sculptor Stefan Bojadžieva and artist Božidar Ovčarov. The team, together with the scientific supervisor Dr. Zaharijev, examined and preserved the skulls placed in special glass sarcophagi. Among them is Georgi Apostolov - secretary of the Botev detachment headquarters, born in Stara Zagora. The sculpture "Mother's Pain" was sculpted in the ossuary. The relief paintings on the outer front of the monument symbolize the adoration and respect of the local population for the sons who died for the freedom of Bulgaria.

Botev's pilgrimages to Skravena take place on June 2 and include historical readings, art programs, exhibitions, competitions, a memorial service, a procession with a wreath of glory and fireworks.

In 2020, it is proclaimed a cultural value of national importance.