The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame Monument is situated beside St. Sophia Church, facing the flea market. They are memorials to Bulgarian soldiers who have died in the service of their country. Created in 1981, the monument bears poetry from Ivan Vazov as well as soil from both Shipka and Stara Zagora - sites of some of the fiercest fighting during the 1877-78 war against the Turks. Near the monument, just around the back of the church is the grave of  Ivan Vazov, who penned the famous book "Under the Yoke" about the time of Turkish oppression. It was his wish to be buried in a place where the common people of Sofia spent time. A boulder taken from nearby Mount Vitosha marks his grave.