Royal Palace (Sofia)

The Royal Palace of Sofia
View from the air of the Royal Palace and its gardens in the 1920s. The division between the museums nowadays in the palace is from the central entrance: to the left is the National Gallery, to the right is the Ethnographic Museum.
The old Konak, which was converted into the palace of prince Alexander, with the Chelebi Mosque to the left
The extension designed by Viktor Rumplmayer
The Ball Room
The north-eastern wing created by Friedrich Grünanger
The palace with the garden in front
The palace garden has now been replaced by the Battenberg Square
The entrance gate to the palace
Military parade in front of the Royal Palace in 1923
Another view of the entrance gate to the palace
The Royal Palace in 1969, used as a backdrop to hang large posters of Bulgarian communist leaders
Front of the Royal Palace of Sofia, now with posters for museum exhibitions
Birdview of the Royal Palace in 1929

The Royal Palace, in fact called Prince's Palace (Bulgarian: Княжески дворец – Knyazheski dvorets) and later Tsar's Palace (Bulgarian: Царски дворец – Tsarski dvorets), is an architectural landmark of national historical and cultural significance, situated at Battenberg Square in the heart of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

The palace have witnessed the country's journey through monarchy and people's republic towards today republic democracy as its inhabitants have played a pivotal role in the history of Bulgaria. Erected in the late 19th century as the royal residence, the palace's architecture blends various styles, with prominent influences from Austrian Neo-Baroque and French Rococo.[1]

It was the government headquarters for 7 years (1946 – 1953) after the country became a republic. Since 1953 the palace serves as museum compound, housing:

  • in the northwest wing – the main part of the National Art Gallery;
  • in the southeast wing – the National Ethnographic Museum.

National Gallery (former National Art Gallery) and temporary exhibitions of Bulgarian and foreign art are on display in its halls.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :simeon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "National Gallery / The Palace". nationalgallery.bg/. Retrieved 1 August 2024.