The city Garden

It was opened back in 1878 yet it existed before that as a small walking corner with flowers, alleys, trees and summer house for rest. Consequently, Knyazheski palace was built and the garden was expanded and shaped up as a small park. It was surrounded by a beautiful fence made of wrought iron and entrance gates that got locked in the evening. Trees were planted, alleys were shaped up, benches and flower gardens, fountains and sculptures, there was even a small pond and pavilion for musicians. Rock garden, small water corner and sun dial were built.  
It is worth mentioning the two kiosks whose replicas could be seen today selling ice-cream and books. In 1890 one of them used to sell tobacco and the other one – newspapers and magazines. It was hired by Todor Chipev, a famous publisher and Bulgarian revival intellectual from the town of Koprivshtitsa. It turned into cultural focal point in no time. Pencho Slaveykov and doctor Krastev, Stoyan Mihaylovski, Ivan Vazov used to sit in front of the pavilion – all of them, renown authors for the Bulgarian literature. Today, at this place, there is a small public library.
Fountains in the garden are interesting tradition. One of the first was placed as soon as in 1917. It was masterfully created marble Ottoman fountain shaped as a building that was created in 1577 and brought as military trophy from the town of Nish. Innovatively for its time, it was lit on the inside with electricity and used to be lit up on only three days of the week.
The Cast iron fountain was very beautiful too, also dating back to the beginning of the XX century, with a small pond shaped as an oval cross and decorated with beautiful swans. Later on, at its location another one was placed, a bronze one with the statues of three children, holding a big fish, which also looked quite differently compared to the previous ones. The current one was built in 1976, it is big and airy, decorated with a female figure (mastered by the famous sculptor Georgi Chapkanov).
The garden has always been the favourite meeting and walking point, yet it was also the stage of a political homicide. In 1891, at the Eastern entrance an assault was attempted against the prime-minister Stefan Stambolov. The times were turbulent, he was a frequent target and used to wear weapon, a bulletproof vest, he even had a bodyguard who nevertheless was part of the conspiracy and remained idle. Instead of Stambolov, by mistake the financial minister Hristo Belchev died. The police found the weapon thrown in the City garden and resolved the case this way. In the neighboring edge of the part, at the Southern side there was Sofia citizens’ favourite entertainment location. The first urban casino with tables in the open air was built there in 1908. Nevertheless, the building was destroyed by the bombarding above the city during the Second World War and consequently Sofia city art galley was accommodated there and still inhabits the place. In the Northern end, facing the Palace, during the Communist times the Mausoleum of the communist leader Georgi Dimitrov was erected. The building no longer exists, yet the place is being used for art installations, and at the time before Christmas a joyful Christmas bazaar is located there.