Royal Palace (Sofia)

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.

Originally built after Bulgaria was made a semi-independent principality of the Ottoman Empire in 1878 to serve as the residence of the first Bulgarian knyaz, Alexander I Battenberg, the building now forms part of the National Gallery.

The palace has witnessed the country’s transition from monarchy to a socialist people’s republic and, ultimately, to today’s republican democracy, with its inhabitants playing a pivotal role in Bulgaria’s history. 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. It was the government headquarters for seven years 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.

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