Bulgaria had no statehood before the Liberation War, and consequently no "monarch" existed either. The most prominent leader of the liberation movement - Vasil Levski - died several years before the events described. The same fate befell Hristo Botev, as well as a number of other leaders of the uprising. Therefore, our choice for the role of "King" of the Bulgarians fell on Panayot Hitov (1830–1918), who took direct part in the war of 1877–1878.

A legendary Bulgarian voivode (haydut), a national hero whose life became a symbol of the unceasing struggle against the Ottoman yoke. A veteran of the Crimean War, he was a recognized "expert on the Balkan mountains," an indispensable guide and adviser to the Russian command in 1877. His guerrilla experience was invaluable: he knew every path, every spring in the mountains. During the Russo-Turkish War, Hitov led Bulgarian volunteers, and his detachments carried out reconnaissance and disrupted enemy communications. He embodied the centuries-old tradition of Bulgarian resistance, a bridge between the revolutionary chetniks and the regular army. His life is the embodiment of a struggle that lasted not years but decades, and ended in victory.

For the role of the Queen of Hearts, Rayna Knyaginya was chosen. Her real name was Rayna Genchova. She made the banner for the Panagyurishte Uprising and was arrested by the Turks. They wanted to execute her, but Russian diplomats intervened. After her release and exile, she became a living symbol of resistance.

Although the illustration depicts a specific historical figure, in our project she is more of a poetic image, embodying the courage of Bulgarian women who rose to defend their land. During the April Uprising of 1876, many of them fought shoulder to shoulder with the men, carried cartridges, bandaged the wounded, and even took part in combat.

Rayna Knyaginya on the card is the image of that very amazon - a Bulgarian woman who overcame her fears, took up arms, and stood in the ranks to defend her home and her faith, fighting for freedom against centuries of slavery.

The Jack of Hearts is represented by an Opalchenets-Chetnik. The image of the people's hero is a composite portrait of the Bulgarian volunteer who went from the guerrilla detachments (cheti) to the formation of the druzhinas of the Bulgarian opalchenie within the Russian army. Visually, his portrait refers to the fearless Hristo Botev - poet and revolutionary - who died in battle before the war, leading a detachment in 1876. He became the spiritual banner of the struggle.

This Jack-opalchenets is not merely a soldier but a people's defender, combining the freedom of the haydut with the discipline of the regular army. He was armed with outdated weapons but burned with faith in liberation. His sacrifice and heroism showed Europe that the Bulgarian people would not resign themselves to slavery, and it was precisely this self-sacrifice that served as the prologue to the war of 1877 and the final liberation from the Ottoman yoke.

The numbered cards of the Hearts suit present various types of Bulgarian chetniks and druzhina opalchentsi. The lower cards show warriors of different ages. In the guerrilla detachments (cheti) active in the 1870s, people of different generations indeed fought side by side - from youths to veterans white with age.

Their weaponry was extremely varied: alongside captured Turkish rifles and yataghans, old flintlock guns of local manufacture were used, as well as hunting pieces. By the time of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, many chetniks had joined the ranks of the Bulgarian opalchenie, forming its combat core. The cheti themselves in 1877 operated as an auxiliary force: they conducted reconnaissance, disrupted enemy communications, and maintained contact with the local population. Their motley appearance and weaponry symbolized the nationwide, spontaneous character of the Bulgarian resistance, which was not the work of the regular army alone.

The backbone of the Bulgarian opalchenie consisted of infantry druzhinas. Initially, the opalchentsi performed garrison duty and guarded the rear, but their baptism of fire came at the Battle of Stara Zagora on July 19 (31), 1877. Two thousand Bulgarian opalchentsi, together with Russian troops, went into battle against the 15,000-strong army of Suleiman Pasha. The fight was brutal and unequal. Although the city had to be abandoned, the opalchentsi showed exceptional steadfastness: the 3rd druzhina, fighting under the Samara Flag, lost more than half its strength but did not waver. This battle, though it ended in a tactical retreat, proved that the Bulgarian opalchenie was a combat-capable force worthy of fighting within the Russian army. General Gurko highly praised their valor, calling them "the core of the future Bulgarian army." 

The command staff of the druzhinas was composed mainly of Russian officers, as well as Bulgarians who had served in the Russian army.

Overall command of the Bulgarian opalchenie was exercised by Major General Nikolai Grigoryevich Stoletov, a talented officer who managed to prepare the volunteers for combat in a short time.

Among the druzhina commanders, Lieutenant Colonel Pavel Pavlovich Kalitin, commander of the 3rd Banner Druzhina, stood out in particular. His heroic death while saving the Samara Flag at Stara Zagora became a symbol of self-sacrifice and Russo-Bulgarian combat brotherhood. The presence of experienced, often professional military men at the head of the druzhinas ensured the opalchenie not only high morale but also the necessary military training, which allowed them to withstand the most severe trials.

The Seven of Hearts card illustrates the ceremony of the presentation of the Samara Flag. This flag is the main sacred relic of the Bulgarian opalchenie and one of the key symbols of the liberation war.

The banner was made in Samara at the expense of the city's residents on the initiative of Pyotr Alabin and Efim Kozhevnikov. On May 18 (May 6, Old Style), 1877, in the Romanian town of Ploiești, a solemn ceremony was held to present the banner to the 3rd druzhina of the opalchenie.

The ceremony was attended by the commander-in-chief of the Danube Army himself, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich, which gave the event the status of international recognition. It was a white-red-blue banner bearing images of the Mother of God and Saints Cyril and Methodius. The opalchentsi carried the Samara Flag through all the major battles — at Stara Zagora, at Shipka, and at Sheynovo. For them it became not merely a battle flag but a symbol of hope, faith, and the fraternal assistance of the Russian people.

The mounted units within the Bulgarian opalchenie were few in number. Their main functions were reconnaissance, communication between detachments, and patrolling. Mounted opalchentsi often operated together with Cossack units of the Russian army, carrying out tasks to cover the flanks and pursue the retreating enemy. It is known that at the Battle of Stara Zagora, 1,500 Russian cavalrymen fought alongside the Bulgarian opalchentsi. Although cavalry did not play a decisive role in combat on the mountain passes, on flat terrain it was indispensable for rapid maneuvers, as well as for gathering information on the movements of Turkish troops. 

The Nine of Hearts is dedicated to the Defense of Shipka - it became the high point of Russo-Bulgarian combat brotherhood. In August 1877, a small detachment (about 6,000 men) under the command of General Stoletov, consisting of Russian rifle regiments and five Bulgarian druzhinas, held off the attacks of the 17,000-strong Turkish army of Suleiman Pasha for six days. The Turks called Shipka "the heart of the Balkans" and "the key to the doors of Bulgaria." The opalchentsi fought shoulder to shoulder with Russian soldiers, displaying wonders of endurance. The defenders' losses amounted to about 3,350 men, including 2 generals and 108 officers killed. The heroic defense of Shipka tied down large Turkish forces and prevented them from transferring reinforcements to the besieged Pleven, which ultimately decided the fate of the campaign in favor of the allies. Shipka became a symbol of the unbending will and brotherhood of the two peoples. 

The Bulgarian opalchenie became the foundation for the formation of a regular Bulgarian army (the Zemstvo Army) after the country's liberation. Its role in the war was not only combat-related - it embodied the revival of Bulgarian statehood and military tradition. In the ranks of the opalchentsi, albeit in small numbers, there were also women. The participation of at least 55 women in the haydut movement and the defense of towns during the April Uprising is documented. Some of them, such as the "Vidin Amazons," later distinguished themselves in battle after the liberation. The presence of women in the ranks of the defenders, even as nurses or standard-bearers, symbolized that the struggle for freedom had become a truly nationwide cause, uniting all Bulgarians regardless of gender or age. Their feat, often remaining in the shadow of men's battles, was an integral part of the path to freedom. 

His Imperial Majesty Sovereign Emperor Alexander II (1818–1881)

Ascended the throne in 1855, at the height of the Crimean War. His reign was marked by the Great Reforms, the most important of which was the abolition of serfdom (1861), for which he received the name "The Liberator" within the country. Alexander II's foreign policy was aimed at restoring Russia's international prestige after the Crimean defeat. In 1877, despite warnings from military advisers that the army was unprepared, the Emperor made the difficult decision to declare war on the Ottoman Empire, guided not so much by geopolitical advantage as by a sense of duty to his Orthodox brothers in the Balkans. His presence with the active army raised the fighting spirit of the troops. The war's outcome brought a long-awaited victory, but its terms were largely curtailed at the Berlin Congress, which came as a heavy blow to the Emperor, who had sought a just peace for the Slavic peoples.

Her Imperial Majesty Sovereign Empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824–1880)

Born Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt, wife of Alexander II. In 1877, despite a severe illness (tuberculosis), she found the strength to lead the activities of the Russian Red Cross Society in the theater of war. The Empress personally oversaw the organization of hospitals, the dispatch of medicines and dressing materials to the active army, and assistance to the wounded. Her deep faith, mercy, and personal modesty earned her sincere love in the army and among the people. At the height of the war, she was involved in organizing sanitary trains, making an invaluable contribution to saving the lives of thousands of soldiers. Her activity became a symbol of the fact that war is not only battles but also daily mercy and self-sacrifice.

Adjutant General, Engineer General Eduard Ivanovich Totleben (1818–1884)

An outstanding military engineer, hero of the defense of Sevastopol (Crimean War 1854–1855), where he created a system of fortifications that allowed the city to hold out for almost a year.

In 1877, after the failed assaults on Pleven, Totleben was urgently summoned to the active army. His brilliant idea was simple and cruel to the enemy: not to take Pleven by storm but to take it by hunger, creating a complete blockade ring. He abandoned senseless bloody attacks and carried out a brilliant operation to cut off the supply routes. It was precisely his methodical, engineering, "dry" work that for several months locked Osman Pasha's army in the city, turning it into a trap and predetermining its capitulation. He thought of fortresses as living organisms requiring not a blow but strangulation.

The Two of Clubs card is dedicated to Nikolai Ivanovich Pirogov (1810–1881) - a brilliant surgeon, the founder of military field surgery. His main principle was the triage of the wounded directly at the dressing station: some were operated on immediately, others were evacuated into the interior of the country. On February 14, 1847, Pirogov performed the first operation using ether anesthesia at the Obukhov Military Land Hospital. He became the first doctor in the world to use anesthesia in field conditions.

During the Crimean War, he was the first to apply a plaster cast in field conditions, saving many soldiers from amputation. In 1877–1878, despite his advanced age, Pirogov came to the theater of war and operated on both Russian and Bulgarian soldiers, summarizing his unique experience in the work "Military Medical Affairs in the Theater of War in Bulgaria in 1877–1878." His work saved thousands of lives, and in Bulgaria his name is surrounded by particular reverence.

The Three of Clubs card illustrates the moment of raising the flag of a Russian regiment over the Grivitsa Redoubt No. 1. Its capture on August 30, 1877, became a symbol of the triumph of the allied forces.

The decisive contribution to the assault was made by the 17th Infantry Archangelgorod and 18th Infantry Vologda Regiments. The raising of the Russian regimental flag on the summit meant that one of the main strongholds of the Turkish defense had fallen.

According to the description, by 19:30 the Russian and Romanian flags were already flying over the redoubt, and five guns and two Turkish banners were captured as trophies. This moment became a symbol of the combat brotherhood of the allied forces and their joint victory over a common enemy.

The Four of Clubs card illustrates a Cossack reconnaissance and sabotage detachment on a combat mission. Cutting Osman Pasha off from the outside world was one of the key conditions of the blockade.

The isolation of the Pleven garrison was made possible in part by the daring raids of Russian Cossack patrols, which cut telegraph lines. This deprived Osman Pasha of the ability to promptly request reinforcements, coordinate actions with Suleiman Pasha's army, and receive orders from Istanbul.

The garrison found itself in an informational and logistical "dead zone," which made it incapable of long-term resistance.

The Five of Clubs card illustrates Skobelev's Flying Detachment. During the siege of Pleven, the general actively employed the tactics of mobile "flying detachments."

His soldiers, supported by Gatling guns - one of the first prototypes of the machine gun in history, nicknamed the "Reapers of Death" - delivered unexpected strikes against the enemy's flanks and rear. These guns made it possible to create dense barrage fire at short distances, suppressing enemy infantry.

Skobelev, personally directing the battle, displayed wonders of tactical flexibility: he deployed troops using the folds of the terrain and concentrated fire on key points of the Turkish defense.

The Gods of War - the gunners - are depicted on the Six of Clubs. Artillery played a decisive role in the blockade and the assaults on Pleven. During the third assault, on August 30, Russian batteries kept up continuous fire on the Turkish fortifications. In the description of Skobelev's attack on the redoubt, it is said that he opened such murderous cannon fire that, from the intense action, many guns became unfit for combat.

The artillerymen cleared the way for the infantry, destroying redoubts and inflicting enormous losses on the enemy. Their work ultimately allowed the allies to break through the defense and force the garrison to capitulate.

The Seven of Clubs card illustrates General Skobelev himself at the moment of attack.

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev (1843–1882) was the most brilliant figure of the war. For appearing in battle on a white horse and in a white uniform, he was nicknamed the "White General." During the third assault on Pleven (August 30–31), he personally led his troops against the redoubts of the southern sector. When his saber was broken and his horse killed, he continued to direct the attack and managed to seize the redoubts, but due to the lack of support he was forced to retreat.

This failure was explained by the dislike of him on the part of the commander-in-chief — Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich — the Emperor's brother. Skobelev, however, remained an idol of the soldiers and a national hero, for which he was later promoted to lieutenant general for the capture of Lovcha.

The Eight of Clubs is dedicated to the feat of Major Gortalov, who remained in the redoubt after his subordinates withdrew.

Major Fyodor Matveyevich Gortalov (1839–1877) commanded a battalion of the 61st Infantry Vladimir Regiment. On August 30, 1877, his battalion was the first to break into the enemy redoubt, attacking across a cornfield under hurricane fire. But during the attack, some of the soldiers fell behind, and Gortalov, leaving a commander in his place, went to look for them in order to gather all his forces to hold the position. At that moment he happened to meet Skobelev, who was hurrying to the redoubt and mistakenly accused him of cowardice. Gortalov returned to the redoubt. After the command failed to provide reserves, Skobelev ordered all the defenders to leave the fortification. However, Major Gortalov refused to carry out the order and died covering the withdrawal of the troops. He was raised on Turkish bayonets but fulfilled his duty to the end, holding the position. His feat is an example of the tragic fate of an officer who sacrificed himself for his comrades.

The Nine of Clubs illustrates an episode that occurred during the Ottoman army's attempt to break through the encirclement at the end of the blockade. On November 28 (December 10), 1877, when the starving garrison of Osman Pasha made its last attempt to break out across the Vit River, a fierce hand-to-hand struggle began.

In this fight, the Russian soldier (according to other sources, a non-commissioned officer) Yegor Zhdanov, in hand-to-hand combat, seized from the Turkish standard-bearer the most important prize — Osman Pasha's green banner. The capture of an enemy banner, which symbolized the capitulation and the breaking of the enemy army's spirit, became one of the most striking episodes of the final phase of the siege. This trophy was handed over to the command as proof of victory.

On November 28, 1877, Osman Pasha's breakout was repulsed, and the commander himself was severely wounded in the leg. The Turkish army was defeated. The exhausted garrison of Pleven capitulated.

The ceremonial surrender took place on December 10. Osman Nuri Pasha, wounded but unbroken, solemnly handed over his saber to Emperor Alexander II as a sign of capitulation (according to other accounts, it was presented on the Turk's behalf by General Ganetsky). The Tsar, who highly appreciated the courage of his opponent, ordered the saber returned to Osman Pasha, acknowledging his heroism and paying tribute to the steadfastness of the Turkish defender. This ceremony symbolized a chivalrous attitude toward the enemy, despite all the bloodshed of the war. Osman Nuri Pasha not only preserved his life but returned to the Porte, where he was received as a hero.

The decorative elements of the frame on the Bulgarian and Russian cards include the medal "In Memory of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878." This is not merely a state award of the Russian Empire but a key symbolic artifact uniting the Russian and Bulgarian participants of that war.

The medal was established by a decree of Emperor Alexander II on April 17, 1878, at the end of the war, and its design was approved by the Emperor on September 14 of the same year. The award had three classes, distinguished by material - silver, light bronze, and dark bronze - which made it possible to divide participants according to their degree of involvement in the fighting.

The applicability of the medal to Bulgarian troops was directly stipulated in the decree: light-bronze and dark-bronze medals were awarded to Bulgarian opalchentsi, both those who took direct part in the fighting and those who were present in the theater of war. Thus, this award was common to all who fought for the liberation of Bulgaria.

The King of Spades is embodied by His Highness Prince Carol I of Romania (1839–1914) - a German prince from the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, elected Prince of Romania in 1866.

In 1877, Romania, as a vassal of the Ottoman Empire, faced a difficult choice. Carol I, a pragmatic and far-sighted politician, used the Russo-Turkish conflict as a chance to gain full state independence. In May 1877, he pushed a declaration of independence through parliament and concluded a military convention with Russia. Personally leading the Romanian troops, he played a decisive role in the siege of Pleven, especially in the assault on the Grivitsa Redoubt. His soldiers went into the attack under the Romanian flag, and their valor convinced Europe of the combat capability of the new national army.

The Queen of Spades is the Romanian Princess Elisabeth (1843–1916) — born Princess of Wied, wife of Prince Carol I.

During Romania's War of Independence, Princess Elisabeth did not stand aside. Like the Russian Empress, she devoted herself to organizing medical assistance. Under her patronage, military hospitals were established, and she personally visited them to care for the wounded. Soldiers called her the "Mother of the Wounded" (Mama Răniților). Her sincere care and selflessness made a strong impression on her contemporaries and strengthened the army's morale. She became a symbol of humanity and mercy in this bloody war.

The Jack of Spades is Brigadier General George Anghelescu (1839–1900) - one of the most talented and battle-hardened Romanian generals in the war of 1877–1878. Commanding the 3rd Division, he distinguished himself in the bloodiest engagement of the siege of Pleven - the capture of Grivitsa Redoubt No. 1. Anghelescu personally led the attack; his soldiers went into the bayonet charge under hurricane fire, suffering enormous losses but seizing the key Turkish position.

This feat became the turning point of the siege. The general displayed not only courage but also tenacity in defending the captured redoubt, repelling furious Turkish counterattacks. His tactical skill and personal bravery made him one of the main heroes of this war for the Romanians.

The Two of Spades depicts a meeting of officers of the Romanian army staff. The military leadership played a crucial organizational role in the siege of Pleven. Nominal command of the allied forces was entrusted to Prince Carol I, which became an important political gesture emphasizing the sovereign status of the Romanian army. However, actual operational command was exercised by the Russian chief of staff, Lieutenant General P.D. Zotov. The staff councils also included division commanders such as General Alexandru Cernat, whose troops blockaded Pleven from the western direction. Staff work coordinated the actions of the 84,000-strong Russo-Romanian force, ensuring interaction between units and the planning of blockade measures. 

The Three of Spades depicts the Romanian light infantry — the Dorobanți, who represented a special type of territorial troops. They performed military service but differed in status from the regular army. In the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, Romania fielded 16 Dorobanți regiments (two battalions each), and some of them took part in the fighting and distinguished themselves at Pleven.

The Dorobanți formed the backbone of the defense in a number of sectors, covering positions between Vidin and Grivitsa. Their valor was noted not only by the Romanian command but also by Russian contemporaries. Thus, one eyewitness describes how the Dorobanți, stationed in trenches next to a Romanian battery, at a critical moment saved the Russian Major Kvitka from a Turkish pursuit, stopping the enemy with accurate fire.

The Four of Spades depicts the Romanian Danube Flotilla. It provided the key logistical operation of the entire campaign — the crossing of the Danube by the allied forces. The river crossing, carried out on June 15, 1877, would have been unthinkable without the participation of Romanian river vessels, which transported troops, weapons, and ammunition.

Subsequently, during the siege of Pleven, the Danube Flotilla continued to play the role of the main transport artery, ensuring the supply of the allied army and the transfer of reinforcements, including the redeployment of Romanian divisions to Pleven. For participation in these operations, tens of thousands of Russian soldiers and officers were awarded the Romanian Cross "For the Crossing of the Danube." The Four of Spades was created in memory of the sailors.

In the era of smoky battles, when gunpowder haze covered the battlefield and the cries of thousands were drowned in the roar of cannon, the company or regimental banner served as a visual anchor for the attacking infantry. It indicated the direction of the strike, served as a rallying point for reforming after an attack, and was the physical embodiment of the honor and spirit of the unit.

The loss of a banner was considered the greatest disgrace, while its capture from the enemy was the highest manifestation of valor. Thus, during the final battle for Pleven — on December 10, 1877 — Yegor Zhdanov in hand-to-hand combat seized a Turkish regimental banner, which became one of the symbols of victory. The banner inspired soldiers to press forward despite their losses.

The Six of Spades depicts the officers of the Romanian army. In the battles for Pleven, especially during the assault on Grivitsa Redoubt on August 30, 1877, Romanian army officers displayed exceptional courage, often personally leading soldiers into the attack. One such example is the future General Mihail Cerchez, who, commanding the 2nd Division, personally directed operations in the decisive sector and ultimately was the first to enter Pleven after the capitulation.

The officer corps, despite its losses, retained the ability to command troops under the most ferocious fire. But there were tragic moments here as well: due to confusion over routes, the 4th Romanian Division under the command of Colonel A. Anghelescu lost its way and reached Grivitsa only by the morning of August 26, which demonstrates the difficulties of command even at the staff level.

The Seven of Spades depicts the moment of the struggle for the Grivitsa Redoubt. As already noted, the battle banner was of extraordinary importance to both sides of the conflict. During this bloody assault on one of the key fortifications of Pleven, the Romanian chasseurs (Vanatori) distinguished themselves not only by courage but also by a concrete combat success.

According to documents, in the course of the hand-to-hand fighting for the fortifications, Romanian soldiers managed to capture an Ottoman regimental banner. This fact, described by eyewitnesses as a real event, had colossal moral significance. The capture of an enemy banner demonstrated superiority in battle and symbolically debunked the myth of the impregnability of the Turkish positions, inspiring the allied troops to further achievements.

The Eight of Spades depicts the Romanian artillery. It showed itself at its best during the siege of Pleven. According to assessments by Russian military specialists, it acted with dignity and high professionalism. On August 26, 1877, 36 Romanian guns opened massed fire on the Turkish fortifications from a distance of 1,000–1,300 sazhens, inflicting substantial damage on the enemy and clearing the way for the infantry.

In one sector, Major Falcoianu directed the fire of two long-range guns advanced to a distance of only 800 meters from the Turkish positions — a risky but effective tactic. Together with Russian 9-pounder batteries, the Romanian artillery created a powerful fire fist that ultimately broke the defense of Grivitsa Redoubt No. 1, ensuring the success of the assault for the allied forces.

было важным элементом общей оборонительной и наступательной тактики союзников. "

The Nine of Spades depicts the Călărași - the "Red Hussars" - Romanian cavalrymen, close in status and function to light cavalry. They were territorial irregular units. But they actively took part in the siege of Pleven, carrying out tasks of reconnaissance, covering the flanks, and pursuing the enemy.

In August 1877, the cavalry detachment of General Lashkarev, sent to encircle Pleven from the left bank of the Vit River, also included a brigade of roșiori (regular Romanian cavalrymen). In the fighting at the end of August, the roșiori, together with Russian uhlans, repelled attacks by Turkish Circassians and Arnauts, demonstrating steadfastness and combat capability. They were among those who closed the blockade ring, and their presence on the battlefield, as described in the sources, was an important element of the allies' overall defensive and offensive tactics.

The Ten of Spades depicts the cavalry officers. They, as commanders of the roșiori, played a key role in ensuring the mobility of the troops and in decisive maneuvers. Although cavalry could not storm fortified redoubts in mounted formation, its importance lay in swift flanking strikes, the pursuit of the retreating enemy, and, most importantly, the interception of supply routes. It was cavalry patrols, led by officers, that patrolled the roads day and night, preventing the Turks from receiving reinforcements and food. Their attacks, as described in historical chronicles, forced the enemy to retreat and contributed to the complete encirclement of Pleven. For heroic actions and the successful fulfillment of assigned tasks, in particular, Mihail Cerchez was promoted to general on December 1, 1877. 

One of the decorative elements of the numbered Spades cards is a Romanian medal with two portraits. This is not merely an award but a living monument to Russo-Romanian combat brotherhood. The award was issued in 1907, for the 30th anniversary of the capture of Grivitsa Redoubt — the key event of the siege of Pleven, where the allied forces won one of their most significant victories.

The official Romanian name is Medalia „În amintirea luării Griviței și eliberării Bulgariei" ("Medal in Memory of the Capture of Grivitsa and the Liberation of Bulgaria"). This award was intended to serve as visual confirmation that Romania entered the war as an equal ally, not as a vassal, as well as a reminder of the sacrifices made on the battlefields.

On the obverse of the medal are left-facing profile bust portraits of two monarchs: Alexander II — Emperor of the Russian Empire — and Carol I (in 1877 he held the title of prince, but by 1907 he had already become King of Romania).

On the reverse of the medal are the state coats of arms of Russia, Romania, and Bulgaria, symbolizing the triumvirate of victors. The reverse also bears a commemorative inscription in three languages — Russian, Romanian, and Bulgarian:

The King of Diamonds is His Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamid II (1842–1918) — the head of the Ottoman Empire, who ascended the throne in 1876. His reign began with an attempt at reform (the adoption of a constitution), but the war with Russia forced him to curtail liberal transformations and rely on traditional methods of governing the country. Abdul Hamid II personally controlled the course of the war, appointing and dismissing commanders in an effort to retain control over the Balkans.

After successes at the beginning of the campaign, in May 1877, he solemnly accepted the title "Ghazi" (Victorious), granted to him by the Sheikh-ul-Islam. However, the defeat at Pleven and the loss of most of the European possessions came as a heavy blow to him. It was he who signed the Treaty of San Stefano, humiliating for the Porte, and then made concessions to the European powers at the Berlin Congress, marking the beginning of the empire's decline.

The Queen of Diamonds is Başkadın Nazikeda Kadın Efendi (1848–1895) - an Abkhaz princess by origin, the senior (chief) wife of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Within the harem hierarchy, her influence was enormous.

She was the Sultan's closest adviser on many matters, including appointments to court positions. Nazikeda was held in great respect for her intelligence, tact, and "refined manners" - which is precisely how her name, given to her at court, is translated (Nâzikedâ - "possessing a delicate nature"). She was the mother of the Sultan's eldest daughter, Ulviye Sultan.

Unlike European queens, she did not hold the title "Her Majesty," and her political role was confined to the walls of the palace, but behind the scenes of the dynasty her influence was significant.

The Jack of Diamonds is Ghazi Osman Nuri Pasha himself (1832–1900) - an outstanding Ottoman military commander, marshal (müşir), national hero of Turkey, known as the "Lion of Pleven."

In July 1877, he carried out a brilliant march-maneuver from Vidin, managing to occupy and fortify Pleven literally one day before the arrival of Russian troops. His talent for defense was phenomenal: he repelled three bloody assaults, inflicting enormous losses on the allied Russo-Romanian forces (over 20,000 men) and forcing them to transition to a blockade.

For five months his army tied down the main enemy forces, displaying wonders of endurance, until hunger and disease broke the garrison. In late November 1877, Osman Pasha made a final, desperate attempt to break out, personally leading the troops, was wounded in the leg, but surrendered only after his army had been defeated. For this incredible defense, the Sultan granted him the title "Ghazi" - Victorious, which he bore with honor until the end of his life.

The Two of Diamonds is illustrated with a Bashibazouk warrior, which literally translates as "reckless head." They represented irregular light infantry - that is, troops not subject to strict military discipline. These detachments were recruited from representatives of the empire's warlike tribes, mainly from Asia Minor and Albania, and were known for their ferocity.

They received no pay and supported themselves through plunder, which made them extremely cruel toward the civilian population. However, as irregular troops, their combat value in clashes with a regular army was low. Sources note that Osman Pasha, seeking to preserve food for the regular units, actively expelled the Bashibazouks from besieged Pleven as "extra mouths." Their role in the siege itself was rather auxiliary and connected with terror in the occupied territories, rather than with the defense of fortifications.

The mounted Bashibazouk detachments performed the functions of mobile but irregular cavalry. Their main tasks were reconnaissance, raids on the enemy's rear, pursuit of retreating forces, and, most importantly, protection of supply routes.

In the context of the siege of Pleven, where provisioning the garrison became a key problem, such mobile detachments could be used to escort food transports. It is known that Osman Pasha relied on mounted detachments to maintain contact with the outside world until the blockade became absolute. However, like the foot Bashibazouks, the mounted ones were unreliable and often abandoned their positions due to hunger and harsh conditions, which forced Osman Pasha to expel most of them from the city in September 1877.

The buglers, or trumpeters, in the Ottoman army, as in any other regular army of that time, performed a critically important function of commanding troops in battle. In the roar of combat, the commander's voice could not be heard, so bugle signals served as the primary means of transmitting orders — from formation and march to signals for attack and retreat.

In siege conditions, when troops were dispersed across a complex system of redoubts and trenches, the role of the buglers increased. Their signals coordinated the movement of reserves, marked the beginning and end of artillery barrages, and served as a kind of "voice" of the commander, maintaining communication between the scattered sectors of the defense. It was difficult and dangerous work, as the buglers were often on the front line and were a conspicuous target for enemy snipers.

The Ottoman officer corps in the war of 1877–1878 was heterogeneous. Some officers received a modern European military education, knew tactics well, and could competently lead subunits. Others — especially in irregular units or those promoted from the ranks — were often illiterate and acted by habit, on courage, which led to enormous and unjustified losses.

In the conditions of the fierce defense of Pleven, where Russian and Romanian attacks followed one after another, the role of officers became decisive. The shortage of competent commanders was acutely felt, and it was on officers such as Osman Pasha or Brigadier General Ahmed Hivzi (who was promoted to ferik for a successful breakthrough with food supplies) that hopes for holding the positions rested.

The role of the Ottoman cavalry during the siege of Pleven was paradoxical. At first it was an important mobile reserve. But when Totleben closed the blockade ring, the cavalry found itself "locked" in the city, where its main advantage — mobility — was reduced to zero.

In the conditions of total famine that reigned in the garrison by the end of the siege, cavalry horses became not a fighting force but a source of food. Sources testify that by the beginning of December 1877, food supplies were completely exhausted, and the defenders of Pleven, including even the elite units (Nizam), were forced to eat horse meat. The defense collapsed, but Osman Pasha's attempted breakout on November 28, where the cavalry made its last attempt to escape the encirclement, went down in history forever as an example of military valor.

The Ten of Diamonds completes the series of cards - Ottoman artillery played a key, if not decisive, role in the defense of Pleven. Skillfully built redoubts (such as Arab Tabia, named after an artillery officer) were equipped with powerful guns that inflicted enormous damage on the advancing Russian and Romanian troops. Turkish gunners, often with foreign (German and British) advisers, fired with extreme accuracy and actively maneuvered their guns on the battlefield.

In one account it is noted that to intensify their fire, the Turks rolled their guns out to open positions, fired, and then rolled them back by hand, becoming invulnerable to return fire. Artillery combined with fortifications made Pleven a "hedgehog fortress." Even after the war, heroic images such as the literary artilleryman Behiç Bey - a symbol of steadfastness and the ideal warrior - were used to inspire patriots.

The corner element of the decoration on the numbered Diamonds cards is the Ottoman medal - a key symbol of the heroic but tragic defense of Pleven in Ottoman military history. It was established by Sultan Abdul Hamid II specifically to reward the defenders of the city.

The official name of the medal is Plevne Muhârebesi Madalyası (translated from Ottoman as "Medal of the Battle of Pleven"). It was established in 1878 (1294 according to the Islamic calendar) to reward all Ottoman soldiers and officers who took part in the heroic defense of the city from July 20 to December 10, 1877. In total, according to some sources, 15,581 specimens of this medal were struck. The award was issued in a single class - in silver.

On the obverse of the medal is depicted the main symbol of sultanic power and Ottoman statehood - the tughra (monogram-cipher) of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. In elegant Arabic calligraphy, the tughra is engraved with the inscription: Abdülhamîd Hân Bin Abdülmecîd El-Muzaffer Dâ'imâ-El-Gâzî (Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan, son of Abdul Mejid, Always Victorious, Ghazi), as well as the date "1294" (1878). The tughra itself is framed by a wreath of laurel leaves, which traditionally symbolizes victory and glory.

The role of the black Joker is played by the German Chancellor himself, Otto von Bismarck.

This wild card "shuffles the deck" while remaining in the shadows. He did not take part in the war but became the chief arbiter who determined its political outcome. Germany's goal was not to weaken Russia — it was still needed as a counterweight to France. At the same time, Bismarck did not want to quarrel with Britain and Austria. His main goal was to preserve peace in continental Europe and secure his country's dominant position, acting as an "honest broker."

Bismarck also "lent a shoulder" to Austria-Hungary, but he did so not out of friendship but out of strategic calculation. He understood that Germany needed an ally to contain Russia, and Austria was the ideal candidate. At the Berlin Congress, the German took on the role of chairman and, although he declared neutrality, on all key issues he supported precisely Austria and Britain, forcing Russia to make concessions. As a result, Bosnia and Herzegovina passed under the control of Austria-Hungary, and this decision was largely prepared by Bismarck's position.