The architecture of Sofia is a blend of Neo-Rocco, Neo-Baroque, Neoclassicism and Neo-Renaissance. Sofia Architecture was renovated after Bulgaria was liberated from the Ottoman rule in the year 1878. When monarchy was established in Bulgaria and Sofia was declared the capital of Bulgaria, architects were invited by Knyaz Alexander Battenberg from across the world.
Most of the important buildings of the country were designed by Adolf Vaclav Kolar, Friedrich Grunanger and many others. Some of the important buildings that reflect the old architectural style in Sofia are the former royal palace, which is now the National Art Gallery. The former royal printing office is at present the National Gallery for Foreign Art and is another important example of architecture in Sofia.
After the Second World War, the architectural style in Sofia underwent major changes. Stalinist Architecture
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or Socialist Classicism was the pattern in which buildings at the city emerged. After communism was abolished in Sofia, construction of business districts, contemporary skyscrapers came into being.
In contemporary times, Sofia has been undergoing a rebirth of its architecture. From the beginning of the 20th century, the structure of the buildings, streets bear an attractive look. At the same time the city also safeguards the architectural inheritance it possessed from the period of the post World War II.
Some of the important buildings, which the tourists may visit in order to get the flavor of the old architectural style of the city, are:
- Rotunda of St. George
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- St Sofia Church
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