The National Art Gallery — Attraction in Sofia City

The National Art Gallery is Bulgaria's national gallery, and houses over 50,000 pieces of Bulgarian art. It is located on Battenberg Square in the capital city of Sofia, occupying most of the historic and imposing edifice of the former royal palace of Bulgaria, having been established in 1934 and moved to the palace in 1946, after the abolition of the monarchy. National Art Gallery is situated at an altitude of 556 m.

The National Art Gallery had been planned for many years and between 1934 and 1941, Bulgaria's first female architect Victoria Angelova's design was built to house both a renaissance and contemporary art collection. The building was finished and opened in 1942, but was completely lost in a 1944 bombing. The royal palace, a typical example of Second Empire architecture with chateauesque connotations, was constructed in two stages, the first lasting between 1880 and 1882 during the rule of Knyaz Alexander Battenberg, when Austro-Hungarian architects under Viktor Rumpelmayer worked on the building. It was inaugurated on 26 December 1882 and constituted the representative part of the palace, encompassing the administrative ground floor, the ballrooms above and the service third floor. The second stage, during Knyaz (later Tsar) Ferdinand, saw the construction of the palace's east wing by Viennese architect Friedrich Grünanger, who incorporated elements of Viennese Neo-Baroque. The east wing was where the apartments of the royal family were located, but some service premises (including a lift) were also...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Palace - National Art Gallery of Bulgaria and was blown away by the sheer beauty and cultural significance of the exhibits. The gallery boasts an impressive collection of Bulgarian art from the 18th century to the present day, with works by some of the country's most renowned artists on display.

Upon entering the gallery, I was struck by the grandeur of the palace itself, with its ornate decorations and breathtaking architecture. The galleries themselves were equally impressive, with each room showcasing a different period or theme in Bulgarian art.

One of the highlights of my visit was seeing the works of Ivan Mrkvička, a renowned Bulgarian painter who captured the beauty of his homeland through his stunning landscapes and portraits. Another highlight was the contemporary art gallery, which featured works by emerging Bulgarian artists and provided a unique perspective on the country's contemporary art scene.

The Palace - National Art Gallery of Bulgaria is not only a feast for the eyes, but also a window into the rich cultural history of Bulgaria. The knowledgeable and friendly staff added to the experience, answering any questions I had about the exhibits and the artists themselves.

Overall, I highly recommend The Palace - National Art Gallery of Bulgaria to anyone interested in art, culture, or history. The gallery offers something for everyone, and is a must-see attraction in...

If I could rate this lower than a one star I would. If you are visibly Muslim and a person of colour please do be careful entering these spaces. We went here and since the moment we entered we’ve been followed by security. Eventually four other staff joined in and followed us around. They said the reason they followed us around was because we were taking pictures of the place. We asked to see the rules or where the signs are and they ignored our requests. They weren’t able to provide us with the rules stating so or show us the signs saying no pictures. Many other people have been taking pictures and as you can see in the other reviews, people always take pictures at these places. I love galleries and museums and have been to many and I know there is moments you aren’t allowed to take photos or touch items however there is ALWAYS a signs showing it isn’t allowed or they tell you. We asked another staff member who provides information and he said we can take pictures. We asked other Bulgarians who speak English and they said they have been taking pictures and are allowed to take pictures. The level of disrespect was astounding. Never felt so uncomfortable before in my life. We paid for this experience and left early because of how uncomfortable they made us feel. Attached a beautiful photo of one of the women giving us a dirty look for simply doing what everyone else was doing,...