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, fronting the north side of Battenberg Square, a long, green 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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