Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

It was esablished before the Liberation as a Bulgarian Book Society as early as in 1869. This happens beyond the Bulgarian borders, in Braila (Romania), a popular centre of the Bulgarian bright emigration during the Ottoman Rule. The idea was to unite all the educated Bulgarians and intellectuals abroad within a single centre, supporting Bulgarian science, education, culture and history. This turned it into the oldest Bulgarian institution created even before the official restoration of statehood.

After Liberation, the Company relocated to Bulgaria and became Academy of Sciences.

Considering its integrity, the building was constructed in the spirit of eclectics – Neo-classicism, with baroque aftertaste and Renaissance elements. It is decorated with ornamental windows, semi-columns, balustrades, copper Renaissance domes and balconies with wrought iron railings.
The oldest part of the building is the corner leaf that faces the monument of Tsar Liberator. It is on two storeys, of three couples of windows on the left and on the right of the oval angular central tower, which ends up with a Renaissance dome. The initial main entrance is located there as well, above which there is a small balcony with coquettish wrought iron railing.

It is a curious fact that in order to provide funding for building’s completion, all the 22 academicians had a personal loan issued.
Later on, the part towards Aleksandar Nevski was additionally constructed, being with classic pediment and colonnade whereas this relocated the building centre in reality. Today this part contains the main entrance, made of massive oak doors. The pediment relief presents a couple that represents science and arts, and the central element is a book – symbol of knowledge.